TENNIS ANYONE?

Pride, selfishness, laziness, and any other form of flesh keeps us from making the first move. God doesn't mind. He's big enough to take the lead. He does mind sin of course. But He isn't going to let it stand in his way from your adoption. You may choose to let sin get in your way, but if He has anything to do with it (and He has a lot to do with it) your adoption is practically guaranteed. It does take two signatures. But God has already laid the ground work, drawn up the papers, and signed his approving signature with the bloody ink from His son's veins. That ink is waiting for you new every morning.

Do you think God is too great to be humble? I don't think so. He condescended, bowed low to the earth to deal with us. Why? Not out of need, obligation, or a dozen other reasons one might think up in that infinitesimal part of our brain which we use. Bottom line. In a nut shell (where most of us live). Final verdict: LOVE. A four letter word. our concept of which is as totally beyond the grasp of our heart to understand as infinity is beyond the grasp of our mind to comprehend.

To come against the pandemic obstacle of sin, He would literally have to offer up a part of himself His most cherished. His Only-Begotten Son. God gave much. Christ gave much more, Christ went even farther. He gave all. From every corner of his being (spiritually. physically. mentally, and emotionally) sprang an unconditional love, the likes of which we have never ever known. Out of his love for you. He allowed himself to be completely spent. flagrantly mocked. wrongfully accused, disgracefully humiliated, and ultimately crucified. They, we, and all the billions of lives sin dominates stripped him of dignity and life. With a little help from our cohorts (sin & Satan) we did it. But He let us. He allowed us to have a part in his death. Mistake not your own culpability. All turned their backs long enough for him to be forsaken and plaintively my out," It is finished."

We need to see ourselves for whom we really are. Needy, hooked on sin, overdosed on ourselves. We need to see Him for whom He really is. OUR Redeemer. His Life, death,, and resurrection can buy back what sin lost us. Immortality, an eternal oneness with God, and all our long lost relatives, which for the ignorant includes everyone who has ever come from from Adam's loins aid signs on the dotted line.

So that's the plan. The contract. Better known as the covenant. You don't have to understand every part of it. Your understanding will grow to the extent that you search for Him in his word and commune with Him. He joyfully reveals himself as you hunger and thirst for his righteousness. Keep on seeking and asking. He promises he will open himself to you by revelation knowledge. Search expectantly, yet realizing that, the fullness of Him will not be supremely known until we cross over.

Jesus was a man who really knew his father. if He were in anyway unjust, would Jesus have followed or exalted him so thoroughly? His word says he gives us all that. is necessary for life. Having all your questions answered is not necessary for life or peace. You can rest when you know and believe that once you get life all your questions will be answered. Don't let your lack of understanding eternal things hold you back from acquiring eternal things! If you understood everything, why would you need faith? But oh. you must have faith. It's the first step you take as a born again toward your Papa; toward Home!

You know as parents how thrilling it is to see your child take his first steps into your anxiously awaiting arms. You sense your child's paradoxical anticipation. Dying to get to you. yet at the same time unsure of his own ability to accomplish The feat (feet!) or perhaps even unsure that you'll catch him if he falls. Yet the father's assured loving call ultimately overwhelms all doubt, and he takes his first step. Small step for his size; giant step for his faith, His first step undoubtedly expresses more faith in the father than in himself. That's how God intended it. First the physical: the the spiritual. If you fancy yourself a philosopher. you could spend a lifetime on that one spiritual ]aw. Everything in this physical sphere of existence has a counterpart in the spiritual realm. Careful observance of this earthly sphere can be a grand peephole into understanding spiritual truths; as evidenced in the proceeding illustration of a child's first step.

Your seed of faith has sprung a root. Imagine the Father's jubilation as it echoes oft the wings of myriads and myriads of seraphic hosts! The triumphant joy that resounds the heavens over one lost........... now found!

Thus begins your walk by faith. You have shown a desire to stop serving yourself. a false god. and begin serving an awesome God. His Holine......... not your soiliness. It's a choice of faith after hearing about a God of love. In that one moment of time you have made a decision that will Rock your world. You will never be the same again. For starters you have said to God that you believe him. That's faith! And it pleases him to no end. Well, actually to some end: the salvation of your soul! He is pleased to call you his son. He put the ball in your court and you decided to follow through. Yes, it's a Love Match played in heaven!

What's more, there's going to be a wedding. We don't have to worry about the groom not showing up. It's you, the bride, who can't let anyone, or anything keep you from the altar.

Your faith in him and what his son did for you has placed you in a position to have an eternal seed planted in you. He plans on reproducing his son In the earth through you. You are a mir- acle! God is creating a miracle in you. His son is being birthed in you every time you yield. You can change the world! Your ripple will be felt. How big a ripple is not limited by God. The fullness of Christ now dwells in you. It is only limited by your willingness to yield. Give way..........Here He comes! Rejoice in a good work begun!