February 17, 2023Dear friends,
Last week I began reading “Providence” by John Piper. I received it at Christmas and delayed starting it because it has more than 700 pages and I thought that it would be hard to read. Well, I am glad that I started reading it because I am enjoying it very much. I hadn’t read any of John Piper’s books, but now I am looking forward to reading some others.
Here is an excerpt from “Providence”: “Nothing exists that is greater or better or more beautiful or more satisfying than God himself. It would be idolatrous and blasphemous for God to even contemplate the existence of a better gift than himself. If being supremely loving includes giving what is supremely valuable and beautiful and satisfying, then God’s very being established the aim of his love. The ultimate aim of the greatest love would be God’s gift of himself for the everlasting enjoyment of the beloved. When God upholds and displays and exalts and gives himself for the enjoyment of the beloved, he is loving supremely. Therefore, God is the one being in the universe for whom self-exaltation is an act of supreme love.
To be sure, how the supremely valuable gift of himself would be given, so that the whole panorama of his glorious attributes would be known with the greatest clarity and enjoyed with the greatest intensity – that question he did indeed contemplate and decide ‘according to the counsel of his will’ (Eph. 1:11). And that contemplation, rooted in his wise, gracious and just being, led to the whole history of providence and salvation through Christ that we see in Scripture.”
If you are looking for a book that will help you understand how much God cares for you, I highly recommend “Providence.” Earlier this week, many people expressed their love for others on Valentine’s Day. A friend sent me a graphic (please see below) that is based on John 3:16, which expresses the love of God in a wonderful way.
Today, our oldest daughter celebrates a birthday and Karen and I are so grateful to the Lord for all that she means to us. Happy birthday, Joëlle!
Scripture for the weekend: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “Did you ever wonder how God wants us to show that we love Him? We get a clue when we read ‘He who loves God must love his brother also’ (1 John 4:21). It’s that simple. One of the primary ways we show our love for God is by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. So watch for opportunities to care for others. It’s a priceless way to demonstrate your love for the Lord.” – Joe Stowell (from “Stand Strong: 365 Devotions for Men by Men” by Discovery House)