I know it may seem strange, but God gave
Himself a gift when He created you. His
Word says that you are "fearfully and
wonderfully made."
At creation, God spoke all things into
existence. He stopped and looked at the
conclusion of each day's accomplishments and
"saw that it was good" each time. Only
after He created man (male & female) on the
sixth day does the record show that He
looked back over all His works and "saw all
that He had made and it was VERY GOOD!"
Now don't get me wrong, I don't want you to
get puffed up...but I'll remind you of
another unique fact. We are the only part
of creation that God made "in His image" and
that He "breathed into...the breath of
life." That's powerful!
The continued work of God to lead, bless and
provide for mankind unfolded out of this
single action. He had been planning it long
before the creation of the world...even the
provision to save us from our self-rule and
rebellion against Him and His blessings.
Now do you understand why He would send the
Savior to redeem you. He's been investing
in mankind and in you in particular for a
long, long time. You are a gift made for
His pleasure - which is to make you shine in
all your original freedom and purpose.
It's still "early" in December even
though Christmas is approaching waaaay too
fast. Let's give our FIRST GIFT, of
ourselves, back to our Creator. "I urge
you, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God - this is your spiritual
[and reasonable] act of worship."
This week let this simple idea ferment in
your heart:
"God made me as a gift for Himself. He sent
His Son in love to make my broken life new
again. I am going to accept his repair and
offer myself back to Him so that I can
become all He intended me to be."
more next Monday...see you then...