This is our heavenly Father's Love letter... Every word is lifted from the Holy Bible... Let His amazing love captivate you... Jesus loves you!
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 youwith 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 lovedthat 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
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Finding Fulfillment in Life
Genesis 2:7 "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being..."
Man is different from other living things, the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, in this particular instance. God formed man not just with the word of His mouth but also with the work of His hands and the wind of His breath. Man became a living being. Notice the bible didn't say man became a living thing but a living being...
There are 3 things which King Solomon observed about life. King Solomon is the wisest man ever lived, so the bible says. He set about finding the meaning of life. The meaning of being a living being. These 3 things fulfil Man's life, that Man will find purpose and happiness here on earth which God has planted Man.
1. The Word of His mouth (Intimate Relationship).
God formed Man by the word of His mouth. Gen 1:26-27 "Then God said, " Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; ... so God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them..." God not only formed Man for an intimate relationship with Him (spiritual/vertical aspect) but also with his or her spouse (the physical/horizontal aspect). Your spouse is the ultimate fulfillment of relationship with your friends. Your best friend does not have to be your spouse but your spouse has to be your best friend. It is a exclusive relationship just like your relationship with God is exclusive.
Pro 5:18 "Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth."
Ecc 9:9 " Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, ... For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun..."
Exo 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me..."
2. The Work of His Hands (The Fruit of Your Labor).
We are the work of His hands. Isa 29:23 " But when he sees his children, The work of My hands, in his midst, They will hallow My name... "
We are God's masterpiece for His enjoyment. God formed Man with His own hands out of the dust of the earth for His enjoyment. Likewise, God wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labour, the works of our hand. He has decreed this as one of the things that man will find fulfillment in.
Ecc 2:24-25 "So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?"
Ecc 3:12-13 "I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God..."
Hence, christians must put their heart and soul into their work and derive enjoyment from it. This is God's will for you!
However, having just the above 2 points fulfilled is still incomplete... there is a third cord that binds and give the whole thing purpose and life. Just like the DNA, there is one strand from the father and one strand from the mother and a third invisible strand that binds the two and DNA forms its purpose of completing a unique life.
Ecc 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken..."
3. The Wind of His Breath (God living inside of you)
God's breath of life entered Adam and he became a living being. When Jesus came to visit His disciples for the first time after His resurrection, He breathed the zoe life of God into them who believed and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit..." The Holy Spirit is sometimes likened to the wind. Invisible but you can feel Him. He comes into your life to open your eyes to the destiny God has in store for you. He has come to empower you to go up higher, to be part of something bigger than yourself. He has come to give purpose and meaning to wherever you are at now. Believe in Jesus who died for you.
John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly..."
Ecc 12:6-7 " Remember your Creator.... the dust will return the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it..."
Ecc 12:13-14 "Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil."
The amazing thing is that we must balance the 3 areas Solomon pointed out. Having an OD (overdose) of point 1 makes you a high maintenance and dependent person. Having an OD of point 2 makes you an workaholic and damages your health. Lastly, having an OD of point 3 makes you a spiritual flake. Life is interesting isn't it?
"Father God, we thank you for creating us, for we are your masterpiece. Thank you for bringing the intimate relationships into our lives, the family and friends we have and giving us the privilege to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Most of all, thank you for coming into our lives and make us whole and alive again in God. Help us to appreciate these three parts of life even more and find joy in life. Come and be in our lives! In Jesus' loving name Amen...."
Man is different from other living things, the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, in this particular instance. God formed man not just with the word of His mouth but also with the work of His hands and the wind of His breath. Man became a living being. Notice the bible didn't say man became a living thing but a living being...
There are 3 things which King Solomon observed about life. King Solomon is the wisest man ever lived, so the bible says. He set about finding the meaning of life. The meaning of being a living being. These 3 things fulfil Man's life, that Man will find purpose and happiness here on earth which God has planted Man.
1. The Word of His mouth (Intimate Relationship).
God formed Man by the word of His mouth. Gen 1:26-27 "Then God said, " Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; ... so God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them..." God not only formed Man for an intimate relationship with Him (spiritual/vertical aspect) but also with his or her spouse (the physical/horizontal aspect). Your spouse is the ultimate fulfillment of relationship with your friends. Your best friend does not have to be your spouse but your spouse has to be your best friend. It is a exclusive relationship just like your relationship with God is exclusive.
Pro 5:18 "Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth."
Ecc 9:9 " Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, ... For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun..."
Exo 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me..."
2. The Work of His Hands (The Fruit of Your Labor).
We are the work of His hands. Isa 29:23 " But when he sees his children, The work of My hands, in his midst, They will hallow My name... "
We are God's masterpiece for His enjoyment. God formed Man with His own hands out of the dust of the earth for His enjoyment. Likewise, God wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labour, the works of our hand. He has decreed this as one of the things that man will find fulfillment in.
Ecc 2:24-25 "So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?"
Ecc 3:12-13 "I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God..."
Hence, christians must put their heart and soul into their work and derive enjoyment from it. This is God's will for you!
However, having just the above 2 points fulfilled is still incomplete... there is a third cord that binds and give the whole thing purpose and life. Just like the DNA, there is one strand from the father and one strand from the mother and a third invisible strand that binds the two and DNA forms its purpose of completing a unique life.
Ecc 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken..."
3. The Wind of His Breath (God living inside of you)
God's breath of life entered Adam and he became a living being. When Jesus came to visit His disciples for the first time after His resurrection, He breathed the zoe life of God into them who believed and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit..." The Holy Spirit is sometimes likened to the wind. Invisible but you can feel Him. He comes into your life to open your eyes to the destiny God has in store for you. He has come to empower you to go up higher, to be part of something bigger than yourself. He has come to give purpose and meaning to wherever you are at now. Believe in Jesus who died for you.
John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly..."
Ecc 12:6-7 " Remember your Creator.... the dust will return the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it..."
Ecc 12:13-14 "Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil."
The amazing thing is that we must balance the 3 areas Solomon pointed out. Having an OD (overdose) of point 1 makes you a high maintenance and dependent person. Having an OD of point 2 makes you an workaholic and damages your health. Lastly, having an OD of point 3 makes you a spiritual flake. Life is interesting isn't it?
"Father God, we thank you for creating us, for we are your masterpiece. Thank you for bringing the intimate relationships into our lives, the family and friends we have and giving us the privilege to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Most of all, thank you for coming into our lives and make us whole and alive again in God. Help us to appreciate these three parts of life even more and find joy in life. Come and be in our lives! In Jesus' loving name Amen...."
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Art of Overlooking
Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children..."
Believers are urged by Paul to become imitators of God. Have you noticed that children subconsciously behave like their earthly parents? In some ways, they walk and talk like their parents, copying their mannerism subconsciously because of the years living in close proximity. Even husband and wife, over time, developed a certain similarity with each other in mannerism. Likewise, when we spend time with our heavenly Father, we develop certain God-like mannerism.
One of the traits of God is that He overlooks flaws. God chose you while you were still sinners.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us..."
This is the grace of God. It is God's unconditional love for us. This grace of God is made available to all man and woman by the Christ's sacrifice on the cross, but it is not automatic. You enter into it by faith. Having and knowing this grace, that God has overlooked your flaws, so likewise, you can overlook the flaws in others. Some flaws in people can be disturbing but God isn't asking us to condone such flaws but to look beyond those flaws and love them unconditionally...
Just like a wood carver that look beyond the untouched piece of wood log and saw the masterpiece that can be carved from it. Develop the art of overlooking the flaws and look at the potential of the individual person. That's how God sees us...
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence..."
"Dear Heavenly Father, give us the grace to overlook flaws in others. That we may develop the character to believe in and unconditionally love the people you have brought into our lives. Give us a bigger heart for imperfect people just like You have for us... As You are so are we... Lead us to know Your heart more... In Christ's name, AMEN."
Believers are urged by Paul to become imitators of God. Have you noticed that children subconsciously behave like their earthly parents? In some ways, they walk and talk like their parents, copying their mannerism subconsciously because of the years living in close proximity. Even husband and wife, over time, developed a certain similarity with each other in mannerism. Likewise, when we spend time with our heavenly Father, we develop certain God-like mannerism.
One of the traits of God is that He overlooks flaws. God chose you while you were still sinners.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us..."
This is the grace of God. It is God's unconditional love for us. This grace of God is made available to all man and woman by the Christ's sacrifice on the cross, but it is not automatic. You enter into it by faith. Having and knowing this grace, that God has overlooked your flaws, so likewise, you can overlook the flaws in others. Some flaws in people can be disturbing but God isn't asking us to condone such flaws but to look beyond those flaws and love them unconditionally...
Just like a wood carver that look beyond the untouched piece of wood log and saw the masterpiece that can be carved from it. Develop the art of overlooking the flaws and look at the potential of the individual person. That's how God sees us...
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence..."
"Dear Heavenly Father, give us the grace to overlook flaws in others. That we may develop the character to believe in and unconditionally love the people you have brought into our lives. Give us a bigger heart for imperfect people just like You have for us... As You are so are we... Lead us to know Your heart more... In Christ's name, AMEN."
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Riches with no Sorrow
Proverbs 10: 22 "The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it... "
There are 2 kinds of wealth in the world. Wealth that comes from the LORD and wealth that is not from the LORD. A christian can have one of this wealth so can a non-christian. Yes, even non-believers can experience that kind of wealth. There are non-believers who are very wealthy and yet they enjoyed the fruit of their labours with great family life and friends. There are believers who have great wealth but they are always living in the fear of losing their wealth or being found out of something illegal they do.
It is in God's will for His children to live a life of prosperity, an abundant and rich life. A big part of it involves being financially healthy. How can His people enjoy the abundant life He has promised if they are scrapping from the bottom of the barrel?
Proverbs 8:18 "With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity..."
We have not because we ask not. God has declared that riches, honor, enduring wealth and prosperity are with Him. Imagine that, the wealth that God blesses you with is enduring. It means wealth that last for generations! It is not enough for God to just bless you only but He wants you to be able to leave a legacy for others.
The first step to experience that wealth is to believe. Dare to believe God. Anything is possible for a man who believes in God. With God all things are possible! Then pray and ask God. We have not because we asked not. Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find. Finally, plan and work hard for it, letting God direct each of your every steps.
"Father, we believe that You are the Giver of good gifts to Your Children and You want us to enjoy the abundant life not only in heaven but here on earth right now. Show us how we can have the life You promised... We commit all our life and finances into Your loving hands. In Jesus's Name Amen... "
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Spiritual Hunger for the New Year
Matthew 15:27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table...”
One day, a non-Jewish woman came to Jesus and begged Jesus to heal her daughter who was severely demon-possessed. Being the Son of God who received instructions from the Father to confine His ministry primarily to the Jews, Jesus replied in a rather negative way to test the faith of the faithful woman said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” But her reply surprised many and Jesus complimented her great faith. Her daughter was healed at that exact moment.
God is looking for the same attitude that woman had in believers... She had great faith but behind her faith is an engine of deep hunger... A deep hunger to see her world changed... God is looking for hungry souls to fill...
Proverbs 27:7 "A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet..."
...Even if you don't have the best church with the best sound system, best preaching, if you are hungry, you can still seek the face of God... You may not have the best time to seek God but if you are hungry, you can make that time... Your health may be in a wrecked conditione but if you are hungry you can seek God for that healing... Having the best of everything may work against you if your heart is not hungry for more of God... Complacency is likely to set in... God does not look at the external but the internal factor of the human heart...
1 Samuel 16:7 "...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart..."
"Dear Heavenly Father, search our hearts and let us be found hungry for all You are... We love You... In Jesus's Name Amen."
One day, a non-Jewish woman came to Jesus and begged Jesus to heal her daughter who was severely demon-possessed. Being the Son of God who received instructions from the Father to confine His ministry primarily to the Jews, Jesus replied in a rather negative way to test the faith of the faithful woman said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” But her reply surprised many and Jesus complimented her great faith. Her daughter was healed at that exact moment.
God is looking for the same attitude that woman had in believers... She had great faith but behind her faith is an engine of deep hunger... A deep hunger to see her world changed... God is looking for hungry souls to fill...
Proverbs 27:7 "A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet..."
...Even if you don't have the best church with the best sound system, best preaching, if you are hungry, you can still seek the face of God... You may not have the best time to seek God but if you are hungry, you can make that time... Your health may be in a wrecked conditione but if you are hungry you can seek God for that healing... Having the best of everything may work against you if your heart is not hungry for more of God... Complacency is likely to set in... God does not look at the external but the internal factor of the human heart...
1 Samuel 16:7 "...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart..."
"Dear Heavenly Father, search our hearts and let us be found hungry for all You are... We love You... In Jesus's Name Amen."
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