Dear Grandkids,
Today is 8/8/18. August 8.
And it just so happens that in my Bible reading this morning I came across a verse that I love – which I wanted to share with you. It is verse 8 in 1 Peter chapter 1.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory…
This one verse pretty much sums up what a relationship with Jesus entails. 3 things that I want to show you:
1) True believers love Jesus – “Though you have not seen him, you love him.” When a person grasps the full extent of what Jesus did on the cross for them it would be impossible NOT to love him. 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” I hope that as you grow up you will think often and think deeply about the great great love of Jesus that he expressed for you and that this will cause you to love him greatly in return.
2) True believers trust Jesus – “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him.” There is a saying that goes like this: Put your money where your mouth is. We live in a world where many people SAY that they believe in Jesus but ACT otherwise. True faith will be demonstrated by your actions. Do you trust him? Then obey him! Obey his Word even when it is goes against what the rest of the world says or even what your feelings are telling you. Do not ever follow your heart – it will lead you astray. Follow Jesus and do what he says.
3) True believers find their joy in Jesus – “and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” Finding your joy in Jesus is the only way to make sense of a verse like James 1:2 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” I mean, who does that? Who finds joy when life is hard and lonely and exhausting? Only those people that have their joy rooted in Jesus and not in the things or circumstances of this world. Joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory is a joy that first of all exults in the beauty and the wonder and majesty and glory of God. Ponder that statement and ask the Lord to help you understand it’s profundity.
May the Lord fill you with a fathomless love for him, an abiding trust in him, and a deeply satisfying joy in him.
And never ever forget that you are very loved!
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