Consider God's everlasting love. Jesus loved you before you received him as your Savior. While you were yet in a life of sin, he loved you. When he created your innermost being and fashioned you in your mother's womb, he knew you and your whole life story—and he loved you. When the Father sent Christ to the agony of the cross at Calvary to die for your sins, he loved you. You were on his mind during the rise and fall of kingdoms and nations— and he loved you. When Adam and Eve walked in the midst of the Paradise of Eden, the God of glory knew exactly where you would be born in their family line. And yes, he loved you then. When he was creating millions of galaxies and the Earth, with its spectacular mountains, oceans, animals, and floral wonders, you were loved. During the eons of eternity, amid the majesty and glory of the kingdom of Heaven, where millions of angelic beings rejoiced with Jesus and the Father—where spectacular sights and sounds indescribably surpass all that would be found on the Earth that he would create—Jesus loved you with an everlasting love!...                    I give thanks to you, my God and Savior. As glorious as your creation is, your majesty and greatness are so much more—you are the Creator. To be in your perfect Paradise with you will be marvelous beyond description. In your presence is fullness of joy, and at your right hand are everlasting pleasures. I delight in you, my King, for the victory over sin and death that you have wrought. As a joint heir with Jesus, my thankfulness will know no bounds for all eternity. Praise God!  

LIFE In CHRIST 365

Though he is the eternal God, the Creator of heaven and earth became a baby; he clothed himself in the likeness of sinful flesh. He put on mortality with all its pain, sorrow, hunger, and thirst. Jesus, Immanuel (God with us), was welcomed to earth in a Bethlehem stable and given the unique privilege of sleeping in a feeding box for animals. Though he is the King of kings, he only received a reception that day from lowly shepherds. That's OK; he wanted it that way. He didn't come to reign as king on earth, but that you, his dear child, might soon reign with him in his kingdom above. The wondrous Son of God only came here to love you; he came to be a sacrifice for your sins. For those who trust in him and await his coming, the Son from Heaven will appear a second time, not as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but as the triumphant Lion of the tribe of Judah. He comes as the reigning King of kings and Lord of lords. He comes to bring you salvation. Our Savior is coming again to bring you to his kingdom of glory. He wants to bring you home!    Luke 1:26-35 Micah 5:2 • Hebrews 9:28 • Titus 2:11-14 Rev. 21:1-7

Our Father's heart is warmed, and he rejoices when you are thankful to him. His thoughts toward you are more in number than the sand by the sea. He continually cares for you, so your praise is very meaningful to him. When Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one returned to give thanks and glorify God. When you are like the one who was healed and offered thanks, God's heart is blessed. He inhabits the praises of his people—he is enthroned in the holy place where your praise is offered. It is an essential part of your fellowship with him. He loves you and desires to be very close to you. When you are thankful to him, it is a blessed experience for you and your wondrous God. You are a living stone, built into the spiritual house of God—which he inhabits by the Spirit. You are part of his holy priesthood, called to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Sometimes, you may not feel like praising the Lord, so the Scriptures call it a spiritual sacrifice. We are called to be a living sacrifice (one that does not crawl off the altar). This is a child of God's reasonable service. Our God and Father has done so much for you; he is worthy of praise continually. Whoever offers praise to God glorifies him. If you desire to bring glory to him and his kingdom, be one who always gives thanks. This is God's will in Christ Jesus concerning you. Through Christ Jesus, let us offer the sacrifice of praise daily, the fruit of our lips, thanking and glorifying him.     Psalm 22:3, 103:1-5, 139:17-18 • Luke 17:12-19 • 1 Peter 2:5 Thessalonians 5:18 • Hebrews 13:15         Thank you, God, for calling me, justifying me, and preparing a place in glory for me. Thank you for your daily provision. Thank you for giving me new life in Christ. I praise your name for giving me a new heart; you raised me from being spiritually dead to being alive in Christ. I now see your truth, whereas I once was blind. I now hear the joyful sounds of Zion; your voice of love I now hear, whereas I had been deaf. I was crippled spiritually; now I am walking, leaping, and praising God. Thank you for the magnificent and priceless promises you have lavished upon me; I believe that you are more than able to fulfill every one of them. Praise God forever! Amen.

Excerpt from January 7 :

Excerpt from December 24 :

Sometimes, our heavenly Father sets up situations that are quite contrary to our ways and plans. He desires to work mightily in your heart and life through these situations. He will be glorified and bring you freedom as well. God told Moses the exact location by the Red Sea where the children of Israel were to encamp. He knew Pharaoh would harden his heart and follow them to this point. Over four hundred years earlier, Almighty God had told Abraham that he would judge the nation that had afflicted his people with bitter bondage for these centuries, and the time had arrived. By the miracles he would now carry out, the world for millennia to come would know that he is the Lord God, the mighty Deliverer! The Egyptians came after the Israelites. God's people were trapped and were terrified at the sight of the powerful Egyptian army closing in. They thought they were going to die! Our God had a much better plan. He had a Promised Land for the children of Israel; it was time to get them on their way. As instructed by the God of heaven and earth, Moses lifted his hand over the sea, and God divided the waters. The vast multitude crossed over on dry land. Once again, Moses lifted his hand, and God returned the waters, covering all the chariots, horsemen, and the entire Egyptian army. The chosen people were free of the bitter slavery and fear that they had known for four hundred years! Sometimes, our Father will direct your life in a direction that is hard for you to understand. It may be an uncomfortable situation. You may even complain. He knows your feelings and confusion at these times. Trust him with all your heart. Submit to the direction he shows you in prayer, in his Word, and by his Spirit. His ways are so very much higher than your ways (as the stars are higher than earth), but he has your best interests in mind. He will fight for you; he will do wonders, and you will be very blessed and thankful!  Genesis 15:13-14 • Exodus 14 • Deuteronomy 28:1-13 Romans 8:32, 15:13 • Isaiah 55:8-9 • Psalm 28:7 Proverbs 3:5-6

Excerpt from January 1 :

Excerpt from March 1 :