When my boys were little, I would tuck them into bed every night, say their prayers with them, and speak positive affirmations to them—affirmations such as, “I am so proud of you,” “I’m so glad God sent you to be a part of our family,” “I love you devotedly,” etc., etc.

When my youngest son, Mark, was about nine I crept into his bedroom early one morning. I was certain he was asleep—because he looked like an angel!

I quietly leaned over and whispered in his ear, “O beloved of the Lord.”

As quick as a flash he spun his head around and, looking upward, asked without a moment’s hesitation, “Is that you, God?”

When I regained my composure, I whispered back in his ear, “No, it’s not God, but he sent me to tell you that.”

Dear Reader, God is “sending” me to tell you that today too. No matter what you have ever done or have failed to do, God loves you with an everlasting love and has a wonderful plan and purpose for your life.

His primary purpose is that you find God and receive his forgiveness for all your sins and his gift of eternal life. If you have never done this and would like to, click on: www.actsweb.org/invitation.php, or for further help read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

Second, God wants you to discover and fulfill his divine purpose for your life and in so doing become a part of what he is doing in the world in which you live. Your life purpose will have to do with using your God-given abilities to serve God by helping others.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I thank you that you love me with an everlasting love no matter what. Help me to know and experience your divine love, forgiveness, and acceptance and communicate these to every life I touch. Help me, too, to discover and fulfill my God-given life purpose. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Jeremiah 31:3.