“You can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed.”

I recently came across this beautiful quote when looking through some past papers. I wish I knew who gets the credit for this awesome and profound saying, but I, unfortunately, do not know the source. I do know that it really resonates within my heart as it reminds me that God is all-knowing. He knew what would happen in our past, what will happen in our present, and what’s to come in our future. We may only see pieces of our lives, but, like a puzzle, God holds all the pieces and sees the finished picture.

And, for that, I’m grateful. I’m happy that God wants to be in control. I’m happy that He has a plan for my life and your life and that He’ll order our steps if we simply keep focused on Him. I’m thankful that He will be with us here and now while guiding us toward a future we have yet to experience.

I love the verse in Ephesians 3:20-21 which states: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Isn’t that just like God to wants to do more than we can ask or imagine?

Jeremiah 29:11 is yet another wonderful source of encouragement showing God’s great love for us: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Isn’t it amazing to know the One who set the stars in the sky, who breathed life into all creation, wants to order your steps, use you for His glory and wants you to put your trust in Him both now and forever?

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to walk this life alone? Aren’t you thankful every day that God holds your life in His hands? Aren’t you grateful that His promises are true and that He will forever continue holding you close as you walk your life’s path? Aren’t you in awe and happy that He’s omniscient and omnipresent? Aren’t you elated that He’s wiser than you and I? I’m relieved that I don’t have to have all the answers, yet I have a personal relationship with the One who does!

So, as I go about my life, and as you go about your life, be encouraged and thankful that “You can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed.”

Have a blessed week!

hspate@verizon.net

Before the beginning of time
Before you were ever conceived
Before your first breath
Before your first heart beat
Before you were born
Before Jesus went to the Cross
God had YOU in mind.

God had a plan
God had a purpose
God had a past
God had a present
God had a future
All planned for YOU.

YOU are no mistake
YOU are wonderfully made
YOU have a place
YOU have a purpose
YOU have a reason for being
YOU are important in the eyes of God.

Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Jeremiah 1:5 goes on to say, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

God loves you! He loves you unconditionally. He loves you unapologetically. He loves you with a love that no human on earth can ever emulate. He loves you beyond all comprehension. God is perfection. He makes no mistakes. You were always meant to be here. You were created for a reason.

It should set people in a state of awe to know that the One who hung the stars, the One who keeps hearts beating, the One who created the complexity of the entire world, is the very One that desires a personal relationship with each of us…a personal relationship with YOU. Amazing!

The following verses describe God’s goodness and deep love in relation to His creating all mankind.

Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Matthew 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Isaiah 64:8 “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Hopefully, no matter what you’ve experienced in your life, you are reassured by these beautiful verses in God’s Word which make clear you are His, you are special, and you are unique. You are here because God created you to be here. You are living in this moment, this life, for a purpose…for a reason. You are dear to Him beyond all comprehension, and He desires a close relationship with you.

He wants to be your everything.

If you’re reading this today and have forgotten how deeply your heavenly Father loves you, be encouraged in knowing He is always with you and has never left you. He promises to hold you, love you, guide you, protect you, provide for you both now and always. He loved you before you were ever born, loves you still, and will love you forever.

If you’re reading this today and do not have a personal relationship with the Creator of all, He deeply desires to be your heavenly Father. I promise, it’s the best decision and the most important decision you will ever make in your entire life!

God’s great love for you is conveyed throughout His precious Word, the Bible. These verses attest to His amazing love for You.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:11-13).

If you have a personal relationship with Him, determine to grow closer to Him through worship, prayer, Bible reading, attending church, and fellowshipping with other believers. Allow Him to use you for His kingdom purposes.

If you have not yet accepted Him into your heart to be your personal Lord and Savior, with childlike faith you can come to Him today and allow Him to take residence. Simply pray this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner. I confess I can never be good enough to earn Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the grave so that I might have eternal life in heaven with You. I willingly repent of my sins and ask you to come into my heart and life. I trust Jesus now to save me, forgive my sins, and give me the precious gift of eternal life. I thank you for rescuing me from my sin and place all my trust in You for my salvation. I accept You now as my Lord and Savior. Amen.”

hspate@verizon.net