Name Acrostics

Remember acrostics? They're formed when you use each letter of a word to begin a phrase or sentence, like this one for the word book:

Busy as a bee I was,
On the search of a break,
On picking up the book in the library,
Kept me smiling.
Vedant, age 12, Panvel, Mumbai, INDIA (source is here)

You can make acrostics as personalized gifts. A few years ago I made several of these, using the letters of the recipient's name, scripture verses, and short prayers. Here's one I wrote for a baby's baptism (the acrostic spells his name, Jack):

JACK

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 19:14 ) Jesus delights in the innocence and simplicity of children. He even tells grown-ups to be like you! Our prayer for you is that you will keep your heart pure toward God.

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:15 ) Jack, God is not a judge in the sky. He is a loving Father who wants a relationship with you, and He will always hear you when you talk to Him! You can have confidence that He will answer your requests.

Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3) Your life is a blessing from the Lord, little one! Always remember that you are here for a purpose; God will make it clear to you what path you should follow. His plans for you will give you hope, blessing, and a secure future.

Keep loving one another earnestly. (1Pe 4:8) Jesus said that loving God and loving others is the most important thing you can do. We pray you will have a deep love for your parents, brothers, and everyone God places in your life.

And another one for my friend Anna's birthday:

ANNA

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me." (John 15:4 ) Anna, we pray that the year ahead will bring you closer and closer to God's heart, and that you will remain powerfully connected to Him, abiding in the vine.

No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Anna, your friendship is characterized by your love and self-sacrifice. May God bless you abundantly for all the times you've given to Him by giving to others!

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1) May your faith grow and blossom, so your trust in God is so strong, you can believe Him for things you'd never thought you could. He will richly reward this faith! May your life be marked by faith, hope, and love.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matt 7:7) God will give you your heart's desires, Anna! Trust that He knows, He understands, and His plan for you is “exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20)!

I enjoy making acrostics because they are personalized, special ways to give a biblical blessing (or just a fun poem!). They cost nothing more than the supplies to print (you could always write it in your own handwriting, too) and are easy to tuck into a card. Acrostics make lovely gifts when framed, or simply mounted on cardstock or pretty scrapbook paper.

Consider too that you might use an acrostic as a prayer to the Lord, or as part of your devotions. I wrote this one today when I had acrostics on my mind and was also thinking about the past month. It's for the word THANKFUL.

This month
Has been
A tiring one,
Never allowing much time between difficulties--but I'll
Keep believing in the
Father's faithfulness and grace
Until the day we
Live with Him.

*forgive the font and spacing irregularities--for some reason I had a lot of trouble with this post :)