Issue #1,156 August 17,2004 The Author
I stood on the beach watching the morning light slowly glide over the bluffs
and begin to chase away the shadows where I was standing. It was an incredible
moment. There I was standing on the shore of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by high
bluffs and near virgin forest. I felt as if I could have been the only person
for miles or even the only person to have ever trod that beach. Of course, I wasn't
but for a few powerful minutes, I felt that way. Just God and I alone on the waterfront.
The waves crashed in on the rocks nearby, singing a rhythmic chorus to God. The
last of the early morning stars was fading, giving the sun it's moment. Other
than the surf, and the nearly audible pounding of my own heart, there wasn't a
sound to be heard.
I offered some quiet prayers of thanksgiving and praised Father for the incredible
blessing He allowed me to have that African morning. For just a moment I felt
like I had the tiniest taste of what Adam must have known in the Garden of Eden.
Before long there were other people around and the moment was gone forever except
in my memory. Soon I was visiting people, having breakfast and then it was time
to be packing and preparing for the drive home.
We can never quite know exactly what it must have been for Adam and Eve to walk
in the Garden before the fall. We know from the Genesis account that after the
fall, God was walking in the Garden in the cool of the day. From the Lord's earlier
interactions with Adam, it seems quite logical that that would have been a normal
daily event.
We know from John's Revelation of Jesus Christ that in time believers will walk
in the Lord's presence along the River of Life down the way of the trees of life.
What an incredible moment that will be. Unlike my Indian Ocean sunrise, it won't
end in a matter of minutes, but will continue on.
Some people think of the Bible as a handbook of sins and a list of do nots, but
they have missed the point. God's Word is a chronicle of redemption. He takes
us from a taste of life before the fall to the promised glory after the end times.
He reveals Himself and His redemptive plan throughout. He's written the most incredible
piece of non-fiction ever devised. It's no wonder that He's referred to as "the
author" in Scripture.
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses
of this.
Acts 3:15-16 NIV
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through
whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through
suffering.
Hebrews 2:10 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for
the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV
The author of faith, salvation and life is the same author who gave me the moment
on the beach. He's the same author who knew you before you were born and has plans
for all of eternity laid out just for you.
Until next time rejoice, the great author has a unique and wonderful script for
your life.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have
value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing
to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without
you.
HELP FOR THE HURTING
Your story is unique. There has never been and never will be another you. He's
created you with the freedom to make a choice. You can walk in His ways and receive
all the blessings He planned for you or you can rebel, reject Him and miss out
for all of eternity. Not choosing is the same as refusing. If you haven't yet
given your life over to Father by establishing a personal relationship with the
Son, today is the day to do it.
If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible
verses that will explain it to you.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your
heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a
prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer;
it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with
His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to
all who will accept it.
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have
sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world
and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and
rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you
Lord.
Amen
If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with
you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey
to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.
NEED PRAYER? GOT QUESTIONS?
If you're in need of prayer or answers to questions about the faith email us
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