1. God doesn’t do favorites.
Eight. That’s how old I was when I was so very offended by the idea that God would speak to some of His children and not others.
This offense was brought on by the fairly innocent question of why we went to church on Sundays, to which my dad replied that we went to hear what God had to say to us. Little did he know what a storm his answer would stir up in the mind and heart of an 8yr old.
I was truly offended. 8yr olds are full of ‘Why’s?’ Why did I have to go to church to hear what God said? Why would God speak to the Reverend and not to me? I wasn’t too young, because He spoke to Samuel when he was only 7.
Was I not smart enough, good enough, special enough? Why would I want to serve a God who didn’t think that I was enough? This storm was brewing inside of me for quite some time and had me wondering if I wanted to be a Christian at all. Why would I want to serve a God that had favorites?
When my big brother finally found out what I was thinking, it took him a long conversation to convince me that it really wasn’t the case.
God didn’t have favorites – “For God doesn’t show favoritism” Rom 2:11, Acts10:34
He sent His Son to die for everyone – “For God so loved the world…” John3:16
He knew us from before inception – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Ps139:13-14
He knows our every step – “Does He not see my ways and number all my steps?” Job31:4
He even knows how many hairs you have on your head – “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matt10:30
Wow! I remember my relief and I remember the joy as I wholeheartedly committed my life to God. I remember as if it was yesterday the very first time the Holy Spirit spoke something very specific to my heart.
There was even more to this fact of God not having favorites. While sharing the gospel with a young woman one day, she told me that I had no idea what she had done and that God could never forgive her. The Holy Spirit reminded me that Jesus shed the same amount of blood for a murderer as what he did for a thief. He died the same death for everybody.
Realizing that God didn’t have favorites, helped this young woman to open the door to Jesus.
The next post will be: 2. Forgive
I loved this one and being my daughters best friend. I sent it to my daughter. You are so Blessed to have a family that went to church and a brother that explained how wonderful God is. I never went until the last five years by myself. I was saved by the Grace of God. I pray everyday for my unsaved family. Thank you for your beautiful letters keep sending them. And God Bless you and all you do.
Terri
Thank you Terri. Just keep praying. God bless you too.
Nice meeting you
Great work
Thank you, Pastor Derrick. Nice meeting you too.
Lily…isn’t it just wonderful how much He loves us…blessings to you and thank you for sending me the link to your blog…bless you
It is indeed wonderful Lisa. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read. God bless you too.
What a great message! Thank you Lily. Many people need to be reminded of how great God’s love really is. His love for us is truly the greatest, it is attached with no conditions. He loves the righteous and the unrighteous in equal measure, how awesome is that!
Yes Ruth, His love is wider and deeper than we can ever comprehend. Thanks for visiting.
Lily, what an uplifting and inspiring message you have conveyed to the world. We as Christians tend to forget that there are so many in this world that don’t know the magnitude of our heavenly father. They have been taught by Christians that there is certain criteria you have to meet to be accepted. They don’t know that this is a worldly thing and not what the Bible teaches. Prayer combined with reading the Bible is a good start to understanding and communicating with God.
Thank you so much for sharing your article.
Diane
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts Diane. When it comes to God’s acceptance, I think of Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest….”
(emphasis mine)
After reading important lessons that reveal powerful truth that will pray earnestly for guidance & directions to spread the gospel daily.
Thanks for commenting Willie