“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Always remember from where you have lifted and continue to look up!
I thank you and praise you dear Lord Jesus for cleansing a sinner like me and making me whole. With my whole life I want to thank you for teaching me Your ways and showing me Your path. I pray that you never allow me to stray and keep me from being useless to and in Your Kingdom. I love you Jesus and I want my whole life to show it. Amen
As a Baptist not only was John 3:16 my first verse to memorize but it is the most engraved upon my soul.
My Savior moved not just mountains for me but myself from me and entered into my life. I remember how I was, all of the gorey details but I am so thankful that is the past. I am certain failure lingers ever so closely but with Christ I am kept in perfect peace regardless of trials and circumstances. I am able to face the days ahead of me as I live with Thanks-Living.
When deep within my rebellion the Lord tapped me and reminded me of His plans for me:
Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I was ready for the future and I decided I was ready for HIS future in my life.
I was deeply ignorant, but I thank my LORD, He sent a Savior! (1 Timothy 1:12-17) I can honestly say I am chief sinner here as well although that is not a headdress I would be proud to display. If sinning were a competition I would have most you beat; again not a proud feat at all for me.
God just flat astonishes me; this Savior swept me right off my feet and I am still reeling and relishing this dance. His agape love that reaches beyond all understanding and without limits was expressed to someone like me, sinful, broken, putrid, and hideous. Yet He loved me and all of us so much that He committed His one and only son to be our sacrifice, bestowing Jesus to us.
You know the 10 Commandments??? Been there broke that. (sigh) BUT on a more positive note, I believe God wants me to see the potential HE realizes for me and I think I found that Truth revealed in John 3:16. So I wanted to to take this time to share with you that all familiar passage. But please I beg of you read it as if you have never read it before and allow the truth of the root words to bury themselves deep within your soul. You will be ready to shout hallelujah, I promise you!
I knew that looking deep into this verse would rise up a huge amount of gratitude in my heart. And since it is very familiar to me I obviously needed a fresh perspective. So, join me as I thank the Lord for giving me His only Son, securing my eternity, and making me useful.
The following summary was created by using the words found in John 3:16 via Strong's, and interpreted from the Greek root words:
"Indeed, God loved His creation beyond compare, in such a way, He supplied His one and only son in order that each and everyone would put full confidence into Him. Then they will not be destroyed or rendered useless instead giving the exception to the possession of a full active vigorous life wholly devoted to God without end."
I don't know about you but that just blew me away! Our need, His supply so we will not be useless!!!!
How can we have the full active life without end if we do not first put our trust in HIM?
All because He first loved us! I am speechless and breathless.
Now as you celebrate Thanksgiving think of it as Thanks-LIVING! Praise HIM with this song and have a very blessed week! Now, get your empty coffee cup....
