Dear Friends,
Easter is upon us and here we are a year after trying to adjust to celebrating one of our most joyous and sacred holidays via Zoom. There have been many ups and downs and glitches we have weathered and to be at the same place in the process is disappointing at best. There are still so many uncertainties concerning mitigating the virus so that we can return to some semblance of normalcy in a safe manner. So let us ‘not grow faint’ as Paul would say and we will stay the course for the safety of not only ourselves but also others. Yet we still celebrate! We still celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and the hope that we have because in the resurrection we know God’s love truly is stronger than any of the challenges we have faced and will face. After, Jesus rose he appeared to the women who came to the tomb. He first calmed their fear and then he told them to ‘Go, go tell what you have seen!’ And, the women did, thus making the breadth of God’s love known to the world. And that love continues to guide us, support us and uphold us in all times and through all our challenges. Below I want to share with you God’s Agape Letter. It is a letter to you written with words of scripture to assure you that you are not alone.
My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Ps. 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Ps. 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Ps. 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matt. 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Gen. 1:27) In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jer. 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Eph. 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Ps. 139:15-16) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps. 139:14) I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Ps. 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Ps 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. (Jn. 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 Jn. 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (1 Jn. 3:1) Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am you provider and I meet all your needs. (Matt. 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jer. 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jer. 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Ps. 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jer. 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Ex. 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jer. 32:41) And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jer. 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deut. 4:29) Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37:4) For it is I who gave you those desires. (Phil. 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Eph. 3:20) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thess. 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Cor. 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Ps. 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Is. 40:11) One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Rev. 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (Jn. 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (Jn. 17:26) He is the exact representation of my being. (Heb. 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Rom. 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Cor. 5:18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 Jn. 4:10) I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Rom. 8:31-32) If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 Jn. 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Rom. 8:38-39) Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7) I have always been Father, and will always be Father. (Eph. 3:14-15) My question is… Will you be my child? (Jn. 1:12-13) I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)
Love, Your Dad Almighty God
Never forget how much and how deeply you are loved. The proof is in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Easter Blessings to all!
Brenda
