God the Encourager11/30/13

Good Morning,

Saturday it is and I find myself drinking a hot cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java. I guess I just couldn't wait until December.

So good morning to all. May your day be merry and bright.

We all have some type of hero here on Earth. It might have been a political figure, a sports figure, a military figure, musicians and singers. literary or art figures, family members or friends or a historical figure from long ago. A true fan knows all there is to know about their hero. You find that they will often quote statistics, or historical facts, or repeat quotes from their hero. Some how, some way, their hero will pop into a conversation. Some people will spend large amounts of money to see their hero or go to visit where they were born, died, or lived.

Did you know that you have a fan? Someone who is pulling for you at all times? Someone who knows every statistic about you, and loves to watch you? Yes you do. God is your biggest fan. If you sent him some art work made of crayons, it would be on His refrigerator. Your birthday is on His calendar.

God loves you and has gone to great lengths to make sure that you can spend eternity with Him. He paid a huge price to be in the front row when you come home. To know that we are forgiven for our sin, loved in our weakness, saved by his mercy, destined for fellowship with God, all because we are supremely valued by God—that is to know the perfect love that drives fear away. It is not because of what we have done that we can have such confidence before God, but because of what God has done for us. Now that's a fan. One who fights for us, loves us despite times when we fail, cries when we struggle, and cheers when we succeed.

Psalm 23  (ESV)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

You are loved more than you know. Smile , God is watching.

Love

Marty