'Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.' (Ephesians 1:4)
This verse kind of makes my brain want to explode.
God chose every Christian before the world was even made.
Which means GOD chose ME. Long, long, long before I was born.
Why? What makes me any different to anyone else on the earth?
Only one thing. God's grace.
It's only by His grace that He looked into the whole of time, before time even existed, into the century, year, place, date and hour that I would be born and decided 'Her. At the age of 7, her eyes shall be opened, she shall be saved with the sacrifice of my Son, and she shall become my child.'
I can almost imagine the angels' astonishment when it took place.
'Her? Why her? She's no-one special! She's a sinner who hates You and rebelled against you! Why would you choose her?' And perhaps God smiled and said to them,
'True. She's no-one special. She's a sinner. But I'm not choosing her because of who she is. I'm choosing her because of who I AM.'
Lord, thank you for choosing the worthless to show You are worthy. Worthy of the highest praise and the most heartfelt thanks!
Thank you for your AMAZING grace!
Thursday 22 May 2014
Wednesday 14 May 2014
102 - God's value of us
'Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.' (Matthew 10:31)
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.' (Isaiah 43:1)
I'm a worrier. I worry about my Uni course - will I pass with a good mark? I worry about family - will they be safe each day? Friends, job, the future - you name it, it's likely I've worried about it at some point.
And it's all so pointless.
God cares every part of His creation - even down to the sparrows, 'customarily thought of as the smallest of creatures'. You could pay for two with a penny 'one of the least valuable of Roman coins' (ESV study Bible).
If He cares for a creature that was considered the least significant in Creation, then how much more will He care for me, for us - made in His image and saved from sin and death with the blood of His Son whom He loved so much.
He thinks we are worth that much.
If He values us that much, we can trust Him with our lives. What's the point in worrying when the Mighty God of the Universe loves you?
Thank you God for valuing a sinner like me!
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.' (Isaiah 43:1)
I'm a worrier. I worry about my Uni course - will I pass with a good mark? I worry about family - will they be safe each day? Friends, job, the future - you name it, it's likely I've worried about it at some point.
And it's all so pointless.
God cares every part of His creation - even down to the sparrows, 'customarily thought of as the smallest of creatures'. You could pay for two with a penny 'one of the least valuable of Roman coins' (ESV study Bible).
If He cares for a creature that was considered the least significant in Creation, then how much more will He care for me, for us - made in His image and saved from sin and death with the blood of His Son whom He loved so much.
He thinks we are worth that much.
If He values us that much, we can trust Him with our lives. What's the point in worrying when the Mighty God of the Universe loves you?
Thank you God for valuing a sinner like me!
Thursday 8 May 2014
101 - The sound of rain on the window
I share a loft room with my two sisters, which means when it rains, it's particularly loud when the drops hit the roof windows. This can sometimes be extremely irritating, especially if you're a light sleeper like me.
And, as much as I blush to admit it, if the rain gets really, really wild, with wind and thunder and lightning, I almost get nervous, wondering just how strong the glass actually is.
But there's reason to be thankful .
For example, some might say the pattering sound is pleasant, (but I'm not about to write poetry on the topic just yet).
Others might say it's a reminder God is refreshing the earth with the rain, which is true.
For me, the sound reminds me I have shelter. I have a roof over my head. I have a soft bed to lie in. I'm not outside getting soaked, because God has blessed me with a home.
We can give thanks to Him over anything - even the splash of rain on the glass.
And, as much as I blush to admit it, if the rain gets really, really wild, with wind and thunder and lightning, I almost get nervous, wondering just how strong the glass actually is.
But there's reason to be thankful .
For example, some might say the pattering sound is pleasant, (but I'm not about to write poetry on the topic just yet).
Others might say it's a reminder God is refreshing the earth with the rain, which is true.
For me, the sound reminds me I have shelter. I have a roof over my head. I have a soft bed to lie in. I'm not outside getting soaked, because God has blessed me with a home.
We can give thanks to Him over anything - even the splash of rain on the glass.
Monday 5 May 2014
100 - When someone is saved!
'Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.' (Luke 15:10)
Recently our church had the joy of seeing a woman who'd been attending a Christianity Explore course, and our Mum's and Toddler's group, put her faith in God and become a Christian.
There were a LOT of thankful prayers in the prayer meeting we had that night!
Surely seeing someone come to Christ is one of the things we can be most thankful for on this earth.
Knowing it wasn't us, but Him...
Knowing the hours of telling the gospel, praying, hoping...were worth it.
Knowing that one day, you and that person will worship the One who saved you both, side by side, in heaven, for eternity.
Thank you God for salvation!
Recently our church had the joy of seeing a woman who'd been attending a Christianity Explore course, and our Mum's and Toddler's group, put her faith in God and become a Christian.
There were a LOT of thankful prayers in the prayer meeting we had that night!
Surely seeing someone come to Christ is one of the things we can be most thankful for on this earth.
Knowing it wasn't us, but Him...
Knowing the hours of telling the gospel, praying, hoping...were worth it.
Knowing that one day, you and that person will worship the One who saved you both, side by side, in heaven, for eternity.
Thank you God for salvation!
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