Just lately we visited Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  We were scheduled to stay at the London Bridge Resort but had to cancel that reservation because of some health issues.  But then finally did get over to see the London Bridge.  Because of the heat we didn’t walk across it as originally planned but did drive across and also took a scenic drive of the City.  It was fun, but would suggest you make the trip when it isn’t so hot!  There are some shops at the base of the Bridge which were nice, and the Tourist Information Center – which was air-conditioned – had a video which was really very interesting.  They also had a History Wall of the Bridge with pictures of how the Bridge was dismantled in England, shipped to the United States, and then re-built in Lake Havasu City.

As I stood there looking at the pictures of how they numbered each piece of the Bridge systematically so they could later rebuild it properly, I was reminded of how wonderfully God created us.  The plans He already had in place for each of us when we were conceived in our mother’s womb.  We don’t just show up in this world and then God begins His plans for us; He has good plans for us even before we are conceived (Psalm 139:14).  Father God thinks about us and His thoughts are for good and not harm; for peace and not destruction; they are loving and not hateful; for Salvation and not condemnation.  He knows all the mistakes we will make, even before we are born, and He still loves us and provided a way to bless us through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us that He sets before us life and death and then suggests that we choose life.  How about that; He shows us the problem and then gives us the answer!   Notice that He sets life and death before us but we are the ones who do the choosing.

We are the deciding factor whether or not we walk in His blessings; whether or not we will walk according to His Word.  He has given us the freedom of choice. We alone are responsible for our choices and decisions for our lives.  Yes, some people may be a good influence and others may be a hindrance, but Romans 14:12 teaches that each person gives account of himself to God.  Romans 8:37 tells us that we are more than conquerors through him that loves us.  This means that our Heavenly Father gives us His Word (the Bible) in order to give us His Grace, strength and the wisdom to handle each situation in our lives.  Jesus is the Word made flesh. All things were made by Him (Jesus) and in Him is life (John 1:1-4, 14).  You and I are made with purpose and plan.  You and I are systematically formed so our bodies will function as a whole unit.  When we begin to understand that truth then we will begin to understand that this truth also applies to the Church.  God fitly joins us together to function together to complete the purpose and plan of the Church as a whole.

My prayer for you and myself this week is that we will make quality decisions to meditate on who we are IN HIM so we will complete the race-purpose and plans-God has for us to complete.

Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Jeremiah 29:11 – 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 (NIV).

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (NKJV).

Psalm 139:13 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Deuteronomy 30:19 – I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live.

Romans 14:12 – So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 8:37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

John 1:1-4, 14 – In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was in the light of men.  And the word because flesh and dwelt among us…