Created in Love

Daily Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture Focus: For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5.9)

Devotional Thought: I love to watch my grandson Grayson play with his stacking cups. He is very careful to place them just right, keeping them from tipping over. He situates them, steadies them, and moves them as he tries to get the tower as high as he can. Then - Wham! - he knocks the whole thing over with great gusto! After that he starts the process all over again. It's lots of fun!

Some people think that God is like that, that he created certain people simply to cast them into hell for eternity. A misreading of Romans 9 - completely disregarding the love of God for all the world - has prompted a whole theology to be developed that says God has decreed that certain people will be saved and that certain people will be damned.

Thanks be to God that we are destined for salvation, and not for wrath! There are some who refuse that salvation, but their destination is their own choice. God wants people everywhere to repent and come to salvation. That means the worst sinner is not beyond the reach of God's love. That means that you and I are invited to believe and receive.

As Grayson grows, I think that he will become more and more like his Pahpooh (that's me!) and will enjoy building things that are meant to endure, things that he will enjoy and love. I trust that means he will build his life upon the Rock which is Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God that my little fella - and all God's creatures - are destined for salvation if they believe and receive!

Prayer: Father, thank you that your plan for me is salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus died for me and rose again from the dead. I receive him and new life in his name. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22 I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. 23 Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! (Psalms 31:19-24)