John 3:16

Dear Heavenly Father,
I just want to start out by saying Happy Father's Day. You have always been here for me even when I didn't exactly want you around. You have loved me through my hardest, and cared for me when I needed some loving. You have shown me that your ways are way better than mine, and that you look after my better good. You have proven to me time and time again, that if I rely on you, you will always follow through. You are merciful, and gracious, you are caring, and loving, you are true, and full of hope! I couldn't ask for a better father. Thank you, thank you for loving me, thank you for never forsaking me, thank you for always being there, and thank you most of all for dying on the cross for me. I haven't been an easy child, I know that, but you still loved me and still died on the cross for me. I can't express how thankful I am. I love you daddy.
Amen.

In my book of "100 Favorite Bible Verses" the verse for today is John 3:16 which I read after putting my above prayer! I couldn't think of a better verse for father's day, could you?

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)

What does this verse mean to you. Read it part by part. To think that God gave the world, the sinful world His ONLY Son. He didn't have other sons to take His place, He gave us His ONLY son. To die on a cross, for all of our sins. He knew we would all be sinners, He knew how many times we would betray Him and turn Him away. He knows it all. I know that I could not send my ONLY son to a cross to die for every one else's sins, especially knowing that a lot of them wouldn't even be a follower of mine. Uh NO WAY! But he loved us so much and cared for our hearts that He died on that cross. If we believe in the death on the cross and the resurrection three days later then we get to spend eternity in Heaven with our Father, with our groom, with our Lord. WOAH! How awesome is that? Can I get an AMEN?! How beautiful is that, how beautiful that our Father loved us so much to do that for us? Why would you not want to praise His name? Why would you turn your back on Him?

I would love to hear from you! What does this verse mean to you? Has it played a special role in your life? When do you turn to this verse? I would love to hear your stories about John 3:16. If you would like, you can email me at arielpaige5893@yahoo.com or comment below.

Blessings!
Ariel

Love.

I'm going to begin by how weird that one of my devotions this morning had to do with love. This week I have been super tired and easily agitated and trying to babysit twin 12 years olds, it makes it very difficult. Oddly enough, I woke up this morning (late actually) in a great mood. I was chipper and ready to start my day. My mom had gotten me this new devotional book that is titled "100 Favorite Bible Verses" and so I decided to do one each morning. It gives the bible verse(s) and then a description about what it meant to the person writing it. The verses this morning was in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through ever circumstance.

(NLT) 

There are many ways you can take these verses. You can look at it as God is Love, or replace the word LOVE with your name, or you could think of them as a description of God's love for you. Today I am focusing on that this is His love for me, and so that is the love I am suppose to show to those around me. I want others to see Jesus inside of me showing through the outside. I want them to see something different, to see Love instead of anger or hate. I want them to turn to God because I have God in my heart and it shines so bright that they can't miss it. Today I am really working on this, and reminding myself often how God loves each and every single one of us and that is how we are suppose to love those around us. 

Any thoughts, comments, concerns?

Email: arielpaige5893@yahoo.com or comment below! 

God Bless,

Ariel

First Post?

I have decided to start this blog more of a journal to keep up with my devotions. I've had a hard time lately trying to stay up on doing devotions so I thought "why not try something new?" So here it is. This blog will include devotions that touched my heart in a way, and a description of how it did so. Also, it will include prayers and thoughts of the day. I most likely will not be posting every day but will be keeping up with it pretty regularly (hopefully).

If you have any prayer requests and would love for me to pray with you please send me an email at arielpaige5893@yahoo.com I would love to intercede for you and pray with you for the blessings and healing from God.

Also, if you have any thoughts about my blog, or the devotions or anything related to this you can either comment on the blog or send me an email as well. Would love to get your input and hear your thoughts about what God is working in your life!

God Bless,
Ariel