Before the earth's foundation...

Sometimes, no almost all the time, when I open my copy of God's word to man I find some very exciting, but challenging, verses. One of those verses is Ephesians 1:4. It reads "...He chose us (you and me) in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." How amazing that even before He said "let there be light He thought of plan for your life! And in another place He said, "before I formed you in the belly I knew thee and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet into nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Isn't that so powerful, even before you were conceived God was developing a plan, a beautiful mission that fits you perfectly. Before you were anything at all. He even placed you in the right year and perfect place to be able to fulfill that plan (acts 17:26). It is amazing to see this lived out by reading biographies of people like Jonathon Goforth the Canadian missionary to China. Just little things that "just happened" to him show how God's plan was being fulfilled. Like the time an older gentleman gave him a book on missionaries that he found so intriguing. And also the school he "ended up" going to played its role in bringing him to the orient. Even the cruel mocking he received from classmates were leading him to China. God even gave us our unique desires because they fall into His plan for our lives. When we seek Him (with a pure and humble heart) He fulfills those desires (Psalms 37:4, Philippians 2:13). Maybe He gave you a passion for music, use it to serve Him. Maybe He gave you athletic ability, use it to reach others (like Tim Tebow). Or perhaps you like working numbers and work in an office, reach out to your co-workers. I believe God gave me a love for horses and a desire to help young men. I am just waiting Him to connect the dots. Because no matter how I try I can't bridge that gap. You are where you are for a reason, SHINE!

"Call unto me, and I will

answer thee, and shew thee

great and mighty things

which thou knowest not"

(Jeremiah 33:3)

Love Letter From God!

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

A Beautiful life!

The other Sunday while sitting in church the song "A Beautiful Life" really stood out to me. The life described in the song wasn't one of "following your dreams", or "a story of extreme success", It was one of almost complete service! The line's "I'll help the sick and poor and weak", and "words of kindness to them speak" were just some of the convicting phrases unfolding this Beautiful Life. It reminds me of the verse that tells of pure religion. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep one's self unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Why is that undefiled religion? Why isn't something like faith, prayer, or meditation undefiled religion? "Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (I Corinthians 13:13). That was the last verse of a very good chapter on love? The Apostle Paul described love as the "final bar", the goal for all Christians, even higher than faith! Even the words in red say "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Love is what sets us apart from the rest of the world! But our love is not one of just having love, but is carrying it out. The rest of I Corinthians 13 describes love as an action, not only a feeling. Love without action, is dead. So the challange of "A Beautiful Life", and "Pure and Undefiled Religion" really hit home for me. Do I show His love to others? Do I lift my desires above others? Do I pull over the help the stranded motorist? Or reach out to the young person who is struggling with temptation? Or the smaller things closer to home, like family? Am I living "A Beautiful Life"?

True Evangelical Faith Cannot Lie Sleepy

For It Clothes the Naked

It Comforts the Sorrowful

And it Gives to the Hungry Food

And it Shelters the Destitute.

-Menno Simons

Grow!

The theme for my trip to Jamaica was spiritual growth. The theme verse was 2 Peter 3:18, “But GROW in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” Although I will not be able to touch the amazing bible studies that were given while we were there, I would like to share what God has laid on my heart.
The first thing that I thought about was, “Am I growing in Christ?” If I looked at my life six months ago, would I see a difference today? Am I allowing God to work through me more than I was a year ago? In a very good bible study given by one of the team leaders the point was brought our that you have no choice but to grow, one direction or the other. So if I can’t see those signs areas of spiritual growth, how am I growing?
So what can I do to grow in the Lord instead of falling into the trap of complacency? “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). God sends us trials to strengthen us , as a blessing! But it is all in how we respond to it that makes the difference. A bone under pressure breaks, but a stone under intense pressure becomes a diamond, the strongest substance on earth. Luke 22:31-32 tells us of a time when God allowed Satan to sift Simon as wheat, but Simon’s faith did not fail and he was strengthened. So if we persevere through the refiners fire, just like Shadrach, Meeshach, and Abednego the only thing that will burnt is what binds us. Jesus is like our weight lifting trainer. He knows just what to send us because He has gone through the same training (Hebrews 5:8-9). He keeps adding just the right amount of weight, not so much as to break us, but enough to cause a struggle. A body builder knows that there has to be a struggle to gain muscle. The trainer is not trying to hurt him by adding weight, but trying to help him reach his goals (in our case maturity).
Another extremely important thing in our “work-out” program is our diet. God has laid out a perfect diet for us. Refrain from junk food (starve the flesh) and eat healthy foods (feed the spirit). “Likewise you also reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin” (Romans 6:11). “They words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). It is very important to be “dining” in Gods word because trials are the application of our study.
As always comments are welcome, feel free to add anything you like. I would like to hear from you.

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (I Peter 5:10)

Prayer request

I have a good oportunity to practice "praying one for another" (James 5:16) that I talked about last time. I (and a large group of people) are heading to Jamaica on the 11th of June. I would definitly covett your prayers for safety as we travel down there for a work project. You could pray for safety, and that we would be able to get large amount of work done. You could aslo pray that the group (of around 45 people) would be united in His name. And last, but not least, we would have an enjoyable, growing time. I will update you when I get back (on the 20th). Thank you very much! In christ, Ben.

Pray ye one for another!

The other day at a cottage meeting (a time when the church goes to visit people that are shut-ins) the 95 year old lady made the statement that the least she could do for her wayward grandchildren was to pray for them. I had to think, "that is the MOST you can do". To pray for someone is to talk to the absolutely most powerful being there could ever be, how could that possibly be the least you can do?
James 5:16 says that we are to "pray for one another". It also tells us that "fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"(NKJV). So not only was the writer saying that we should pray for one another, he makes it clear that it is going to make a big difference.
So what are we to pray for in others lives? The apostle Paul gives us some wonderful examples of his prayers. One of these is in Ephesians 1:16-19. He prays for "a spirit of wisdom", "a revelation in knowledge of HIM," that "the eyes of understanding be opened," and that we may know God's power toward us. What a powerful prayer! Another example is found in Ephesians 3:14-19. He asks that God would strengthen us through HIS spirit, that God would dwell with us through faith, know the love of Christ, and be filled with God! These are some examples of some powerful prays! I would challenge you to take some time every day and bless some believer that comes to your mind, I think you will be surprised how much your prayer "avails".

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying.
He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion.
He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.
-Samuel Chadwick

Lets leave a legacy!

A dear friend of my mom, and a Sister in Christ, passed away early this morning after battling cancer for over a year. She was a very joyful lady. There were many times when people (including me) went to visit and encourage her, ended up receiving the greater blessing. Soon after she was diagnosed with cancer she shared with a group of ladies a song she labeled as hers. The chorus of the song went, “I am making plans to see Jesus, because He is making plans to see me”. She was content with passing, in fact she looked forward to it. All through her suffering she expressed peace. Although she wasn’t able to serve others like she was ALWAYS doing before, she said in a prayer just last week, “God, put the pot on, and give me a double portion”. I had to step back and look at the beautiful lady she was in Christ and the great legacy she has left behind. It convicted my heart, to look at the “legacy” I might be leaving behind. So the prayer in my heart is that I would be able to leave behind a Godly legacy for others. That when I am gone others would remember me as a man filled with Christ. Lets leave a legacy! (Comments welcome)

“I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?”
-Legacy by Nichole Nordeman