The Works of God

Happy New Year! I expect that 2013 will be full of many graces and many hardships, just like every other year.  Let us prepare!

Several Bible reading plans begin at the beginning:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
(Genesis 1:1 ESV)

And God keeps creating:

Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
(Exodus 4:11 ESV)

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:13-14 ESV)

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
(John 1:3 ESV)

But even before he created anything, he had thought about us:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
(Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV)

And all for a purpose!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28 ESV)

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you. . .
(1 Thessalonians 1:4 ESV)

And someday, we get to be part of the new heaven and new earth with him:

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
(Revelation 21:6 ESV)

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 ESV)