February 20, 2020
James 1:17-18
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
New International Version (NIV)
Melanie and I have Josie on our minds and on our phone screens.  Our first granddaughter has captured our hearts.  Sunday we dedicate her to the Lord as we did her father 29 years ago.

I always think of this verse when we do home dedications.  Each life is a miracle.  Of course we marvel at God’s initial creation of humankind.  What imaginative power God used to create persons in his image.  With G. K. Chesterton, I imagine God doing it again each time a child is born.   With each child, isn’t God saying something like, “Let there be life. And there is life.  And it is good . . .”

When I hold up one of our children in prayer, I remember that from God’s point of view they are good and perfect gifts.  I do not dispute that children have a sin nature.  Nevertheless, the Father of lights creates each of us for his good and perfect purpose.  So the same unchanging God who presided over our creation is working in each of us to bring us to salvation.  So he gives us birth and then he gives us new birth into the living hope of relationship with Christ.  

Imagine God as he gives each of us birth through the word of truth.  Doesn’t he have us on his minds?  If God had a phone our pictures would be on his screen.  He has made us for himself.  We will be restless until we find rest in him.
Pray with me:       
Father of Lights, we praise you for your immutable nature.  Not only have you made each of us fearfully and wonderfully, but you have offered us a new life in Christ.  Creator of our lives, recreate us today.  Make us new.  Let us come before you quietly as children in awe of your goodness.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.  
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
About Duane Archives
 Copyright 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
555 Tallowood Road
Houston, TX | 77024 US
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
Subscribe to our email list.