You are not an accident. Do you believe that? I've wrestled with that!
My parents divorced when I was around three years old. I have been tempted to think, "maybe they only married because of me, etc..."
Or, what about the 15 years-young woman who, just yesterday, was rescued from a cellar in New Jersey where she was imprisoned... Is her life a mistake; falling in love with a captor? Or what about her captors? They have imprisoned at least four people who were mentally ill and there is evidence of more victims. Does God call people that sick "accidents"?
In Day 2 of The Purpose Driven Life, many scriptures assure us that God planned every detail of our lives, taking into account "mistakes" and sin. (pg. 23) The further we get from God's purpose, the further into the pit of hell. What is hell? Life apart from the goodness of God, his design, his mercy, his love; life apart from God himself.
I want to say to that newly-freed young woman, "You are loved! You are of value! There is redemption in this!"
Who knows how many more would have been brutally mistreated if she had not been lured, then sought after by authorities. As for her captors, God has a plan for them, too. I thank God that there is some semblance of justice in our country and that these people will not be allowed to hurt others as they have. I pray that they get what they need. And I actively trust the truths below. Because today is a hard day for living in a world full of brokenness.
I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. ~Isaiah 44:2a (CEV)
God doesn't play dice. ~Albert Einstein
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 138:8a (NIV)
You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something." Psalm 139:15 (Msg)
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! Psalm 139:16 (LB)
He planned it all for his purpose. pg. 23
From one man he made every nation, . . . and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 4 Acts 17:26 (NIV)
Nothing in your life is arbitrary. It's all for a purpose. pg. 23
While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but they are not unplanned by God. pg. 23
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love. pg. 24
God is love. (must look up reference...9, 10, from the book- sorry...)
"I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I wil be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. 10
The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us." Romans 12:3 The Message
I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)
Question from the Day's reading: "I know God created me. Is there something about me that I am struggling to accept??"
My parents divorced when I was around three years old. I have been tempted to think, "maybe they only married because of me, etc..."
Or, what about the 15 years-young woman who, just yesterday, was rescued from a cellar in New Jersey where she was imprisoned... Is her life a mistake; falling in love with a captor? Or what about her captors? They have imprisoned at least four people who were mentally ill and there is evidence of more victims. Does God call people that sick "accidents"?
In Day 2 of The Purpose Driven Life, many scriptures assure us that God planned every detail of our lives, taking into account "mistakes" and sin. (pg. 23) The further we get from God's purpose, the further into the pit of hell. What is hell? Life apart from the goodness of God, his design, his mercy, his love; life apart from God himself.
I want to say to that newly-freed young woman, "You are loved! You are of value! There is redemption in this!"
Who knows how many more would have been brutally mistreated if she had not been lured, then sought after by authorities. As for her captors, God has a plan for them, too. I thank God that there is some semblance of justice in our country and that these people will not be allowed to hurt others as they have. I pray that they get what they need. And I actively trust the truths below. Because today is a hard day for living in a world full of brokenness.
I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. ~Isaiah 44:2a (CEV)
God doesn't play dice. ~Albert Einstein
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 138:8a (NIV)
You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something." Psalm 139:15 (Msg)
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! Psalm 139:16 (LB)
He planned it all for his purpose. pg. 23
From one man he made every nation, . . . and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 4 Acts 17:26 (NIV)
Nothing in your life is arbitrary. It's all for a purpose. pg. 23
While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but they are not unplanned by God. pg. 23
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love. pg. 24
God is love. (must look up reference...9, 10, from the book- sorry...)
"I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I wil be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. 10
The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us." Romans 12:3 The Message
I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)
Question from the Day's reading: "I know God created me. Is there something about me that I am struggling to accept??"
- For counseling regarding unplanned pregnancy, click here: http://www.fullcirclepregnancy.com/
- For the story of the cellar prison, click here: http://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-florida-girl-linked-philadelphia-basement-dungeon/story?id=14761933
