INSTRUCTIONS:
Read the Bible verses related to each devotion. Then follow the actions and prayers for yourself and a nonbeliever at the bottom of the page.
PICK THE PERSON YOU WILL PRAY FOR THE NEXT 21 DAYS !!
READ: John 3:1-21
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. But did you ever wonder where you were at the very moment Jesus said, “Let there be light?” Let me give you a hint—you were hidden in the heart of the Father. Honestly, that is the safest place you could ever be.
In the beginning...wait, the beginning of what? Glad you asked. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:1-2).
Did you catch that one little phrase…The “earth was without form, and void?” It was created, but was without form. (You may be scratching your head here.) When was the last time you created something, but it was without form? Actually, you do this a lot. Whenever you create a plan in your mind, the plan exists, but it is without form. Then once you actually execute the plan, it exists. So, there was a time when God created the heavens and the earth, but the earth was without form and void. This means it was still in the heart of the Father. There was a time you existed as the dream of the Father’s heart before the foundation of the earth. Remember, He said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb—I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). In the same way, He created you in His mind, and then shared you with Jesus.
But our story does not start there. You, my friend, must ask where does the story actually start? Where was God the Father when He created the Heavens and the Earth? Interesting question, don’t you think?
If you’re like me, you always thought that the Father dwelt in heaven, but the first Scripture of the Holy Word says that He “created Heaven.” So where was He living before He created Heaven? The answer is (drum roll please…), hidden in a song from the four living creatures. They declare, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev. 4:8). He is the God “who was.” He “was” there in the Secret Place before the foundation of the world.
He existed in Perfectly Perfect Perfection—He was there where He was. Where was that? It is where the Father was. (Don’t get mad at me, I am simply saying that where He is becomes Perfectly Perfect Perfection.) The four living creatures declare His Majesty while telling the story of His existence before the foundation of the World.
Imagine, if you will, that moment when the perfect Father first describes you to Jesus. Yes, describes you, because after all God created you, and He has great BIG plans for your future. (Why do you think the devil is trying to destroy your life? Because God has big plans for you.)
If Jesus knew Jeremiah before He actually formed him in the womb, then we can conclude He knew you before you were actually physically formed (Jer. 1:5). So, I’ll ask the question again: Where were you before you physically existed? Remember, you were His perfect plan; you were the amazing dream in the heart of the Father.
Do you recall when He created heaven and earth? Clearly, they both existed in His heart before they were created in the natural; after all, He is the most creative architect. (In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, but the earth was “without form, and void.” It was still in the heart of the Father. As the most skillfully detailed architect, He drew all and planned all before time.) Likewise, you existed before He actually formed you in the womb. The Father knew you; He had a plan for you that lasted into eternity. The Father has a plan to enjoy you FOREVER. Revival is Family.
I remember the day that changed my life forever. It was the day I knew my earthly father did not love me. (He is a great guy…but when you’re a little kid, your thoughts can get away from you.) It was a cold crisp morning, a thick dew covered the soccer field, and I was about 13 years old. As a tall, gangly, awkward youth, I desperately wanted to feel my father’s love and affirmation. And that was the day I took the kick that changed everything.
You see, my father, who was my coach, wanted me to start taking corner kicks with my left foot (I was naturally right footed, so this would be a challenge). So, when the opportunity arose, I put the ball in the corner, took a few steps back, stared at the ball, and thought about the opportunity that was before me. I pondered what would happen if I scored. Then it hit me, if I accomplished this task that my father wanted me to do, maybe, just maybe he would love me. With this as my motivation, I ran up to the ball, planted my right foot, and swung my left leg with all the courage and strength I could muster. With desperate hope and longing, I watched the ball sail through the air. It had a textbook curve to it, and it sailed right into the back corner—a perfect goal!
I had done it. I had scored. And more than that, I knew that finally, I had earned my father’s love. I sprinted across the field, with one goal in mind, to hug my father and receive his acceptance and love. But it never came. When I hugged my father and gleefully shouted, “I scored.”, he laughed and said, “A better goalie would have stopped it.” (Before you think my father harsh, that was a true statement - the goalie was rather short). And my father, who did provide for and love me, did not know I was in desperate need of affirmation at that moment. The fault lay with me. I was searching for love, where I should NOT have been, as I was trying to earn it from my earthly father, instead of seeking the One that invented love, the ONLY One that could love me with an AWESOME ASSURANCE.
ACTION4U: Ask God the Father how much He loves you. Seriously, take a moment to ask Him. Then write down whatever He responds. Why should you write it down? Because you deserve to be loved. God loves you so much. So, write it down, it is really important.
PRAYER4U: “Father, You are a good Father. My earthly father could never compare. I want to grow in Your love for me. (place your hands on your heart). Right now, I place my hands in Your hands. I ask that I might believe and receive Your eternal love. Fill me with Your love.”
ACTION4ONE: Today, you are going to ask God, who is the one who you are supposed to reach out to? Ask so that you can lead them to a life in Jesus. (And John 3:16 is going to be the Bible verse you use to get there.)
PRAYER4ONE: “Father, today I ask that You would give me the name of someone that I can share the gospel with—someone that I can pray for over these 21 days. Who is someone that I can show the love of Christ to? Father, help me to not be afraid. Help me to share that You love them and want them to be a part of the family of God forever.”
If God gives you a name write it down here _______________________
Have you been blessed by this and want to be a blessing?