He chose me!

---

Psalm 32:8-10     I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Jeremiah 1:5     Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.  And before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah 29:11-13     “…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, pans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”   

John 15:16     You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.    

Romans 8:28     And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 2:10     For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

Isn’t it amazing God created you and knows you for all time?   He has had plans and a life for you forever.  How can that be?  But He picked you, chose you to be one of is own, and He loves you.

God created each of us, and offered us the best deal in the world.  Accept His living Son, Jesus, as your savior and repent of your sins.   The cost is FREE; no,  this is really free.  It’s the gift of forgiveness, given by the act of grace. 

The cost is humbling yourself enough to confess repentance for your sins and reach for Him as your savior. 

The rewards include having a Counselor walk with you during times of fear, stress, poor health

You have guidance that comes in written form, or direction in answer to prayer and seeking the way.

You have a Comforter when you need comfort, reassurance, the nurturing we all need at times.

You have forgiveness and reassurance you are loved deeply, and there is One who cares about your choices, your path, and will protect you if you will listen; but help if you get yourself into a mess.  He will let that be a learning experience for you.

The reassurance is wonderful.  I had no idea I much I stressed myself worrying, projecting, fearing, and planning and then having my plans disrupted or unable to come to fruition for any number of reasons.  Once I surrendered and asked Him to be my savior and confessed how sinful and arrogant I have been–truly believing I was in control when only God is in control–but it was a weight lifted.

Now this was not a miracle of saying ok, all’s right and I will never worry or fret again.  Unfortunately, I tend to be stubborn and it is difficult to release control when you have done it all your life, but He’s patient, loving, and does not seem to mind having to say the same things repeatedly until finally I fully relinquished control.  And there have been a lot of steps in my growth.  I have felt like a slow learner, but never felt not encouraged or scolded or in anyway put down repeating the same mistakes.  Always, the feeling is being loved and grateful to have realized all the benefits of walking this path with God; there is love, repeated forgiveness, patience, and over time I recognize I am changing.  What a wonderful feeling that has been!

For me, I would never regret choosing this path.  I am free–no longer wonder if I’m good enough for heaven–I never will be.  That bill was paid IN FULL by Jesus taking my place on the cross and suffering the horrific pain and humiliation and thus giving me the gift of eternal life in heaven and forgiveness.  I choose to try to improve myself when I realize I am sinning.  I don’t want to disappoint my Lord and Creator.  He has abundantly blessed me, so I want to try to respect my body (temple) and not disparage it or abuse it.  I want to control my mouth so nothing angry and impetuous flows out and hurts someone else.  I will NEVER be perfect, but I can improve–and not me, although my desire is to improve.  But the Holy Spirit knows I want to be better and not sin, and can sometimes steer me away from a wayward path, or other times, reminds me I messed up and need to confess and ask God’s forgiveness.

There is no ridicule, no humiliation, no shaming; there is just encouragement to go and sin no more.  I am not condemned.  I am still saved.  I am still valued in His kingdom, loved and cherished,