my devotion this morning comes from yesterday’s preschool chapel…. it is pretty simple…but then again, that leaves us in awe…

I Know Your Name!
Isaiah 43:1

† In Jesus Name †

 Isaiah 43:1 (TEV) ¹  Israel, the LORD who created you says, “Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine.

It’s special person’s day!

Who would like to introduce me to who they asked to be their special person today?

(pick a few)

Wow!  And thank you to all of your special people who heard and responded to the call to be these children’s special people!

As I was thinking about this morning, I thought about someone else calling to the people he wanted to be His special people. Just like you children chose your special person because you love them and wanted them to share this time with them, this person chose His special people and not only wants to spend a morning with them, but an entire lifetime.

It was a long time ago, before there were cell phones, before even there were phones.  To invite them, he sent messengers to tell them, they were called apostles, and prophets and pastors.  And one of those passages is our Bible verse for this morning.

Isaiah 43:1 (TEV) ¹  Israel, the LORD who created you says, “Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine!

That is who it is who has a special people – it is God, He loves each of us so much – more than we can ever imagine.  He shares not just one day with us, but every day!  He calls us by name, and because Jesus came and died on the cross, we can become His special people – and He calls us each by name!

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So not only did you invite a special person today… you are a special person that someone paid a very high price to invite you to share his days.   Jesus!