THE BIBLE – GOD’S “LOVE LETTER” TO US
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Today I realize how the Bible is God’s letter to all of His children because it is filled with His eternal, undying love for us. It tells of how He came up with a plan to rescue the world from evil.
It was through the Holy Spirit, God revealed Himself and His plan to certain believers, who wrote down God’s inspiring message for His people (2 Peter 1:20-21). No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. The prophecy came not by the will of man: but through holy men of God as they were moved by the Spirit of God. The section of Scripture in (2 Peter 16-21) is a strong statement on the inspiration of Scripture. Peter affirms that the Old Testament prophets wrote God’s messages, and puts himself and the other apostles in the same category …they all proclaim God’s Truth. The Bible is not a human collection of ideas about God. It is God’s very own words given through people to people.
The Holy Bible is God’s Love Letter to us, His children. It tells how He came up with a plan to rescue the world from evil after we messed it all up. This letter – shows us how God demonstrated that love for us and He took the time to tell us how to protect our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The Bible is filled with plans He has for our lives weaved in with words of wisdom with instruction for us to live by in our daily lives. If we take the time to read through these books of the Bible, we find God sharing how His children strayed and how their actions brought consequences upon them from God, and how it broke His heart. Then God does something out of this world to save all of us as He sends His one and only Son to take our place in judgment and our punishment by way of the Cross on Calvary to redeem us from evil. Jesus arrives on the scene!
Jesus Christ is the center of the Bible, and the Gospels tell us about His life and teachings. In planning to read the Bible through don’t start at the beginning, start at its center with Jesus Christ. Begin with one of the Gospels reading through the book. Then read straight through the Bible beginning at the beginning in Genesis so that you get the main points. Don’t skip around. Pray as you read, asking God to help you understand the Scriptures and what He wants to say to you through those Scriptures. Take time to reflect on what you are reading. This is where the Scripture “Be still, and know that I am God” comes in (Psalm 46:10). Don’t give up reading God’s Word, it will change you every day.
From the Bible, we learn letters were sent to churches with specific instructions to guard our hearts, and how we as Christians are to reach the rest of the people in the world who are lost. The Bible is God-breathed so we can be angled as mirrors reflecting heaven to all God’s children. The Bible – God’s Love Letter is about God’s love for you.
The words in Romans 5:8 are amazing. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us because He loved us so much. Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you, remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him. The same love that caused Christ to die is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saves us and is available to you in your daily life. With life in Christ, you have a reserve of power and love to call on each day. You can pray for God’s power and love as you need it. God’s love is higher than our ways but the more we focus on Jesus, the better we understand True Love – God’s Love.
We are to love others as God loves us. (Reference 1 Peter 2:17). We are to reflect God’s Love to a lost and dark world.
If we take and pen a letter about God’s love for us, it would read something like this:
Dear Beloved Child, (1 John 3:2).
I want you to know how much I love you (John 3:16). I desire to adopt you into My family by bringing you to Myself through My Son, Jesus. I chose you predestined before the foundation of the world that you should be holy and without blame before Him in love as it gives Me good pleasure (Ephesians 1:4-5). Before you were born, I set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5). You are fearfully and wonderfully made and My works are marvelous and all the days ordained for you were written in My book which in continuance were fashioned when as yet before you came to be (Psalm 139:13-16). I knew you from the beginning, long before you knew me or loved me (1 John 4:19). I am familiar with all your ways. I understand your thoughts from afar off. Before a word is on your tongue, I know it completely. Because I fashioned you in my own image (Genesis 1:7); I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). I have beset you in behind and before and laid My hand upon you (Psalm 139:1-5). You are a crown of glory in my hand (Isaiah 62:3).
Your transgressions have been forgiven and your sin is covered, you are blessed (Psalm 32:1). Instead of your shame, you shall receive a double portion: and instead of confusion you shall rejoice in your portion: and receive everlasting joy (Isaiah 61:7). For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing: it is My gift to you (Ephesians 2:8). I have appointed unto you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; and you will be called a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified (Isaiah 62:3). I give you eternal life, and you will never perish, and no one will snatch you out of My hand (John 10:28). When I created this world, I had already chosen you (Ephesians 1:11-12). Always remember you are not a mistake. You were planned for a purpose. You are in Christ and you are My new creation. The old has passed; the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). I have established you in Christ, and have anointed you, and have put My seal on you and given you My Spirit in your heart as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). I promise to establish, root, and ground your life with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41).
You know me, I dwell with you and will be in you (John 14:17). My Holy Spirit will guide you into all the truth (John 16:13). I see all your hardships and I care about your suffering and the anguish in your soul (Psalm 31:7). Call on Me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you (Psalm 91:15). My power will rest on you when you are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). You can trust in Me for I will never forsake you (Psalm 9:10). Cast all your worries on Me for I care about you (1 Peter 5:7).
Since you are in Christ, I have made you an heir of all My promises (Galatians 3:29). For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My steadfast love toward you (Psalm 103:11). Trust in Me with all your heart and I will guide you (Proverbs 3:5-6). Keep your mind and your thoughts focused on Me, and I will keep you in perfect peace! (Isaiah 26:3). My peace in your heart, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Resist the devil and submit to me (James 4:7). Sometimes you will fail and that’s ok. Remember to turn to me for I am quick to forgive and to give you another chance (Luke 15:11-31). To help you in this life, I will give you precious gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, and all the fruit of My Spirit to fill your soul so your joy will overflow and you can share with others (Galatians 5:22-23). When anxiety threatens to rise, when need floods your heart, remember how precious you are to me, and don’t worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34).
So, give your burdens to Me and let Me give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Talk to Me when you are anxious and let me put you at peace (Philippians 4:6). When you are brokenhearted, I will draw close to you (Psalm 34:18) and weep with you (John 11:35). I’ll comfort you in your time of sadness (Matthew 5:4). I’ll collect all your tears and record each one in my book (Psalm 56:8). I will turn your weakness into strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Call to Me and I will answer you (Jeremiah 33:3). Tune into your heart and you will sense My instructions (Psalm 16:7).
I Am the Lord, your Shepherd. You will lack nothing (Psalm 23:1). I will go before you and I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Don’t be in fear of or discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8). I will supply all your needs, according to the riches of My glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
My love for you, will preserver through every situation you face (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
I will always love you! (Jeremiah 31:3) and nothing can ever change that! (Romans 8:38-39).
Love,
God your Father
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County. She is the mother of five grown children. Glenda is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She writes Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. Also testing the field in tributes, individual memorial writings, etc. You can read more good Christian news from Glenda HERE.
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