According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will...
—Ephesians 1:4-5 (KJV)
God wanted us to be His children. That was his plan for us even before the world began. While we cannot be holy and blameless on our own strength alone, God paid the huge price of our adoption into his family through the sacrifice of his Son, our older brother, Jesus. Because of our faith in Jesus and God's grace, the Father cleansed us from our sins and brought us into His family as his sons and daughters. God's motive in doing this? His desire and delight in loving us as his children. Our response? Seek to live holy lives that honor our Father by living his values in our broken world.
Loving Father and Holy God, my words cannot adequately express all of my appreciation for your love and grace. I am honored to be one of your adopted children and want to bring you joy in the way I live. Please forgive me for the times I have disappointed you or not lived up to what you desire of me. Even in those times, your love and grace have brought me back to you, forgiven me, and cleansed me. I want my life to be a holy thanksgiving to you for your love, mercy, and grace. I pray in Jesus' name for the Holy Spirit to help make this so in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Ephesians 1:4-5 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God wanted us to be His children. That was his plan for us even before the world began. While we cannot be holy and blameless on our own strength alone, God paid the huge price of our adoption into his family through the sacrifice of his Son, our older brother, Jesus. Because of our faith in Jesus and God's grace, the Father cleansed us from our sins and brought us into His family as his sons and daughters. God's motive in doing this? His desire and delight in loving us as his children. Our response? Seek to live holy lives that honor our Father by living his values in our broken world.
My Prayer...
Loving Father and Holy God, my words cannot adequately express all of my appreciation for your love and grace. I am honored to be one of your adopted children and want to bring you joy in the way I live. Please forgive me for the times I have disappointed you or not lived up to what you desire of me. Even in those times, your love and grace have brought me back to you, forgiven me, and cleansed me. I want my life to be a holy thanksgiving to you for your love, mercy, and grace. I pray in Jesus' name for the Holy Spirit to help make this so in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
