God's Love for us and Our Love for God - Genesis 1-3 and Matthew 1
Since today is the first day in a New Year, it is a time of beginnings. It is so appropriate that we should begin reading the Bible through again, and that we should start with the Genesis and Matthew. Genesis means "beginnings," and Matthew leads off with a genealogy that causes us to think about how it all began and where things are going. I pray that each of us is ready for another journey through God's wonderful Word. I know it will be a blessing to you, if you will stay with us throughout the year.
As I read today, I was overwhelmed by the love of God. Don't let yourself get bogged down in the details of these chapters so much that you miss the big picture. God created the universe for us, and He made the earth as a very special place for us to live. He put the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens to mark times and seasons and to give us light. He gave us everything for food. He gave us purpose in life. He put Adam and Eve in a wonderful garden. Even when they sinned, and He had to put them out of the garden, He still loved them and made a sacrifice for their sin and clothes for their bodies. What a Loving God! Do you know He loves you that much? Don't let Satan fool you into thinking God doesn't care for you.
As you read Matthew 1 noticed the ladies that are included in the genealogy. That is unusual in itself, but some of them were very imperfect people. God still loved them and used them to bring Jesus into the world. If God loves Rahab and Bathseheba, Jacob and David, I know He loves us, and He wants to use us, too. Then, wonder of wonders, He sent His only Son. He came to earth to be God with us. He came to live with us and to die for us. That is God's ultimate expression of love for all of us. Please, don't doubt God's love for you no matter what has happened to you or what will happen to you in 2007. If something bad happens, it is not because God doesn't love you. There is another reason, and He will show you as you seek Him, because He does care for you so much.
Let's get first things first today. Stop, and tell Jesus how much you love Him. Thank Him for dying for you. If you have not confessed Him as Lord, do that right now. Trust Him with all of your heart as the Lord and Savior of the universe. Then, tell Jesus that your life is in His hands, every minute of every day is His to use for His glory. Without Him we would not have any minutes or any days anyway. Let's start the year with an unshakable love for Jesus based on His unwavering love for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 4-6 and Matthew 2.
As I read today, I was overwhelmed by the love of God. Don't let yourself get bogged down in the details of these chapters so much that you miss the big picture. God created the universe for us, and He made the earth as a very special place for us to live. He put the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens to mark times and seasons and to give us light. He gave us everything for food. He gave us purpose in life. He put Adam and Eve in a wonderful garden. Even when they sinned, and He had to put them out of the garden, He still loved them and made a sacrifice for their sin and clothes for their bodies. What a Loving God! Do you know He loves you that much? Don't let Satan fool you into thinking God doesn't care for you.
As you read Matthew 1 noticed the ladies that are included in the genealogy. That is unusual in itself, but some of them were very imperfect people. God still loved them and used them to bring Jesus into the world. If God loves Rahab and Bathseheba, Jacob and David, I know He loves us, and He wants to use us, too. Then, wonder of wonders, He sent His only Son. He came to earth to be God with us. He came to live with us and to die for us. That is God's ultimate expression of love for all of us. Please, don't doubt God's love for you no matter what has happened to you or what will happen to you in 2007. If something bad happens, it is not because God doesn't love you. There is another reason, and He will show you as you seek Him, because He does care for you so much.
Let's get first things first today. Stop, and tell Jesus how much you love Him. Thank Him for dying for you. If you have not confessed Him as Lord, do that right now. Trust Him with all of your heart as the Lord and Savior of the universe. Then, tell Jesus that your life is in His hands, every minute of every day is His to use for His glory. Without Him we would not have any minutes or any days anyway. Let's start the year with an unshakable love for Jesus based on His unwavering love for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 4-6 and Matthew 2.