Like all pastors, I am dedicated to equipping you as a disciple of Christ. To help you learn more of him and become more life him so that you can be used by him. To further that goal, I will be altering my blog to include not only helpful information but a consistent plan for you to implement a devotional time in your life.
Here is how it works. I will list reference verses and resources for you to use in your devotional time if you don’t already have a current program. Rob will be addressing this plan specifically on Graduation Sunday as we challenge our young people to keep a devotional time with God. In 15 minutes daily, you can advance your relationship with Christ and hone your skills and abilities for his glory.
Here is a draft that you can use for tomorrow’s devotion:
Relax
Whether in a chair on walking, take a moment to let the world go and breathe. Listen to what is around you and think on something good like the following:
Your birth was no mistake or mishap. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it. He expected you – and he designed you with a purpose in mind.
Read
Whether you use your reading plan or the versed listed here, take the time to read from his Word.
"Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love." (Ephesians. 1:4a, Message)
"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you have set in place – what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?" (Psalm 8:3-4, NLT)
Reflect
Take a moment to think about the value of the text and consider some of the following insights.
God’s motive for creating you was his love. The Bible says, "Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love."
Dr. Michael Denton, senior research fellow in human molecular genetics, has concluded, "All the evidence available in the biological sciences supports the core proposition … that the cosmos is a specially designed whole with life and mankind as its fundamental goal and purpose, a whole in which all facets of reality have their meaning and explanation in this central fact."
The Bible said the same thing thousands of years earlier: "God formed the earth … He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited." (Isaiah. 45:18, GWT)
Why did God bother to go to all the trouble of creating a universe for us?
Because he is a God of love. This kind of love is difficult to fathom, but it’s fundamentally reliable.
You were created as a special object of God’s love! God made you so he could love you. This is a truth to build your life on.
Record
Whether in your journal or scriptures, note a idea of how you can apply this verse to your life considering some of the following suggestions.
The universe was not complete, in God’s eyes, until he had filled it with people to love. He planned from the beginning of time to make you!
Take a look at the night sky and remind yourself that you are more important to God than all the stars combined. Let that motivate you to worship him.
Request:
Now approach God in light of your meditation and ask him specifically how you can claim this verse today.
Thank God for planning your life and for loving you so much.