The dust returns to the ground it came from,
And the spirit returns to God Who gave it!
Ecclesiastes 12:7
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost, when Jesus appeared among them. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Luke 24:37-39
I love reading the Word because every time my perception of how awesome and amazing Jesus is, just increases. Consider Isaiah who wrote how frightened he was when he saw the King, the Lord All-Powerful. He said, “Oh, no! I will be destroyed. I am not pure enough to speak to God, and I live among people who are not pure enough to speak to Him,” Isaiah 6:5 ERV.
Yes, there is no difference, we are all sinners. We have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:22-23). Yet, God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish; instead, they would enjoy eternal life with our heavenly Father (John 3:16).
When the right time came, God sent His Son, Who was born from a woman, so He could buy our freedom, and make us His children (Galatians 4:4-7 ERV). How utterly amazing, the Word full of grace and truth became a man and lived among a world of sinners (John 1:14 ERV).
Jesus lived among foolish, disobedient, obstinate, deceived people who are enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures, and waste their days in malice and envy, fear and hatred. But, how astounding the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared in the flesh (Titus 3:3-4).
Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15 NTV).
The glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave His life to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people who are His very own. People willing and eager to do what is good (Titus 2:13-14) to glorify their heavenly Father.
Yes, God so loved the world, He sends the Spirit of His Son into our heart. The Spirit, Who cries out, “Abba, Father,” (Galatians 4:4:6 ERV). In loving-kindness God takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. He is kind, but He’s not soft (Romans 2:4 Message). For no longer does He want us to remain enslaved to the desires of our flesh. As His children, God wants us to receive everything He has promised (Galatians 4:7 ERV).
It was not by sword that we won this honor, nor did our arm bring this victory. It was God’s right hand, His arm, and the Light of His face, for He loves us. Christ Jesus our King and our God gives us the victory. Through Him we push back our enemies! Through His name we trample our foes.
The Lord gives us victory over our enemies: Hatred, pridefulness, fear, envy, complacency…In God we make our boast all day long! We will praise His name forever! (Psalm 44:3-8). The One Who has loved us with an everlasting love! The One Who has drawn us with His loving-kindness (Jeremiah 31:3).
GOD LOVES YOU!
He is the Father you have been looking for all your life!
This is His love letter to you!
My Child,
You may not know Me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:1-3). Even the very hair on your head is numbered (Matthew 10:20), for you were made in My image (Genesis 1:27). In Me you live and move and have your being, for you are My offspring (Acts 17:28).
I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book (Psalm 139:15). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
For I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). I brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:61). Sadly, I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know Me (John 8:41). I am not distant and angry. Not at all! I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16). And it is My desire to lavish My love on you 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 will meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31). 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 as countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17), 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). With all My heart and My soul, I desire to establish you, and your faith and trust and hope in Me and in My Word of Truth (Jeremiah 32:41).
I want to show you great and marvelous things you don’t know (Jeremiah 33:3). So, I have given you My Word, and if you seek Me with all your heart, surely 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). I am the Father Who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3). When you are brokenhearted, always remember, 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, and I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My Son, Jesus (John 17:34), for in Jesus, My love for you is revealed (John 17:26).
Jesus 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 tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18). For I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. I have redeemed you (Isaiah 44:22), for I delight to show mercy and grace and compassion to you. This is why I have tread your sins underfoot, and hurled all your iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18).
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18). He gave up everything, even His place beside Me. He accepted the role of a servant, and during His life, He humbled Himself by being fully obedient to Me, even when that caused His death (Philippians 2:7-8).
And His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you (1 John 4:10). I did not spare My own Son, so that I might gain your love, and along with Him, give you all things (Romans 8:31).
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). Come home, and I will throw the biggest party heaven has seen (Luke 15:7).
I have always been Father and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14). My question is…Will you be My child? (John1:12). I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11). I’ve sent to you My Word – Who is My very heart – to bring you back to Me (Philemon 12).
Love,
Your Dad My child
But as for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at this thought (Job 19:25-27 NLT).
Your unfailing love, O Lord, supports me!
When doubts try to fill my mind,
The comfort of Your Word gives me renewed hope and cheer!
Psalm 94:18-19 NLT