Lamb of God,

Priceless Pearl,

You were foreordained…

slain before the foundation

of the world.

Jesus, You had a plan

for Your creation-

man.

When Adam and Eve sinned,

You made a promise

of grace.

Through it You

would purchase

Redemption

for the fallen

diseased race.

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What manner of love

sent Jesus from above!

The spotless Son of God

left His throne.

It was because of  love,

Love alone.

A Perfect Plan

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                “God has for us a plan;

                  God has for us His will…”

 When God created Adam and Eve, He had more than a Science project in mind. Adam and Eve were  a part of the Perfect Plan. Paradise– the Garden of Eden– was their home forever if they adhered to the principles of love.

 The incubator for love is truth, trust and time. Did God tell them the truth? Yes. Could He be trusted? Yes. Did He spend time with His creation? Yes. Besides providence, they had His presence. Love abides. Yet, choice is integral: reject  or accept

An Exciting Project

Richard rushed into the house blooming with excitement.

“Guess what I have?” he began.

I hoped it was not a snake or hamster.

“A rabbit?” I ventured.

“No.”

“Fish?” I queried.

His smile told me I was close to the answer.Richard’s class Science project involved caring for a pet.  He and his friends had chosen turtles.   When he showed me the pets, I gasped.  They were so small!  These miniature turtles, according to Richard, were full grown.  Carefully he placed them in a clear tank with a plastic palm tree.  Then, he poured in some water and sprinkled in some food.  Immediately they began to swim and nibble at the food. About five minutes later, the turtles were scurrying across the floor.  They had escaped before our eyes! 

Not long after they were placed in their new home, they demonstrated their acrobatic skills while we were watching them.  Although the area was redesigned, the next morning they could not be found anywhere. Food was placed nearby their home in the hope that the scent would entice them to return for a mealtime.  After several weeks of absence, we knew that we loved them and wanted them to come back home.  How is this story of the two turtles who escaped relevant to the love of God?

 Jesus told the story of a young man who had an inheritance; but he could not wait for his father to die. He wanted what belonged to him – immediately. After the father gave him the inheritance, he squandered it. The idea of ‘prodigal’ is lavish. This young man had many friends because money attracts people for superficial reasons. After the son had spent all his money, he was in want. Where were all his friends? Actually, they can be regarded as thieves! Their purpose was to destroy him. Yes, the young man made poor choices. However, true friends do not abandon you during your time of need. One saying that is applicable to this story is to know your grave diggers from your pall bearers. Each one has a job.

This story has a good ending for the young man. He came to his senses and realized that he could return home and be a hired servant. Would his father accept him in his filthy condition? Or would he reject him forever? Have you ever marvelled at the love this father had for his errant child? Children provide some humorous moments; but they are profound. Instead of singing:

 “I am so glad that Jesus loves me”, my young niece sang “I’m not so bad since Jesus loves me.”

Is that a testimony that is applicable to you and me? We are all ‘bad’ because of the sin problem in our lives. Everybody is a sinner and nobody is truly ‘good’. Isaiah says that all of our righteousness is as filthy rags. However, those who know that Jesus loves them and shed His precious blood to buy their pardon from sin- the wages of which is death- accept redemption. They know that they cannot continue in sin. Through a  personal relationship with God, everybody who desires it can become a new creation. The past is cast into the sea of forgetfulness.  God says that when you and I confess our wrongdoing – admit we have sinned- He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

That is what the father did for the son who ‘enjoyed the pleasures of sin for a season’ then decided to return home. The Bible says that all of heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and returns to God. Jesus came to earth to seek and to save the lost, those diseased with sin who need the Great Physician. Jesus Christ died for you. Have you decided to live for Him?

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