“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 been lifted and continue to look up! From the deepest pits we can rise and from to the highest mountains we can fall. Our all knowing, all loving, Heavenly Father is there to encourage us and lift us when we fall. I wrote most of this in 2009 and I did fall and I did wander. I became the epitome of the prodigal. Avoiding my convictions and doing what made me feel good in the moment was my goal. The years had brought a lot of pain into my heart. Years of what I thought was sacrifice became painful reminders that I was not good enough. I basically felt useless.
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 verse 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 gory 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 as I live with grateful heart.
When deep within my rebellion the Lord tapped me on my shoulder 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 of you beat; again not a proud feat at all for me.
God just flat astonishes me! My 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 appointed His one and only son to be our sacrifice, bestowing Jesus to us.
You know the 10 Commandments, right??? 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 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 cause gratitude to overflow from my heart. Since it is a very familiar verse to me, I desired a fresh perspective. So, join me as I thank the Lord for giving His only Son, securing our eternity, and “making us useful”.
The following summary was created by researching 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 given 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 and active life without end if we do not first put our trust in HIM?
How could we not have been destroyed if it were not for the Lord and His ultimate sacrifice?
How could we ever feel useful if we do not pursue His plans for our lives?
How can we not praise Him when He has given so much for us?
How can we not feel loved when the author of Love itself is surrounding us?
He loves us! He loves me!
All because He first loved us! I am speechless and breathless.
To whomever reads this, have a wonderful and blessed day!
Rachele
Abiding Still 