Child of God – Chosen and Loved

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God loves us so much that He sent His Son into our world to make us co-heirs with Him in the Father’s kingdom. We are not here by mistake. God created us and He gave us a choice to love Him or reject Him. When we choose to love Him, our identity changes. Everything changes, not by our own accomplishments, but by what Jesus did on the cross – the forgiveness of our sins. Sin is not part of God’s eternal kingdom so Jesus redeemed us from our sin nature. We are new creatures, full heirs with Christ.

• We are heirs because of our adoption into the family of God. This adoption is a miracle and it gives us full rights as heirs. “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5). It is hard for me to imagine this kind of love. It overwhelms me and humbles me.
• Adopted into God’s family, we are chosen and loved. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). We have a sense of urgency when we realize our place in the family of God. Why would we waist our life on things that do not matter to God? I am convicted every time I find myself waisting valuable time. Does that happen to you?
• Be salty! Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13). Oh friend, don’t lose your influence. Let God work in you for His good purposes. Read His word and spend time with Him in prayer to know what His purpose is for you. Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden . . . In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). God wants to use the gifts and talents He gave us to influence and inspire others to know Him in a personal way.
• In all this be strong and courageous. “Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). God will empower you to stand in the gap for others. You may be the best witness to your family and friends. Ask God to partner with you as you reach out to them. That’s a prayer He will answer. People may still show rejection, but it is not you, but the Lord. Give it to Him, because the battle is the Lord’s.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing us and loving us and sending Jesus to us to show us your ways. Help us to know and follow you into new life, the abundant life you have planned for us. In Jesus’ powerful and holy name, Amen.

Good News for Today

This is a national park in Cappadocia, Turkey. Peter wrote to the early church that lived in this part of Turkey when he said, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

A Holy Nation

God promised He would make Abraham, Isaac and Jacob into a holy nation, and that nation has grown all these years to be the largest of nations today, a holy nation of more than 2.6 billion believers, which includes an increase of 44 million since this time last year in 2022. Friend, this is incredible news! It’s answered prayer for all who pray for revival in our world. We are a transformed people, a family of God connected by a bond of peace under the banner of God’s amazing love. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The Witness

Because of Peter’s work two thousand years ago, many became believers. His ministry and letters to the churches in Asia Minor are recorded in the Bible for us to read and learn how we might apply the truth to our lives and ministries. Maybe we are not all preachers like Peter, but we can be witnesses to what God has done for us.

Prayer

Blessed are you O Lord, King of the universe, empower us to speak the truth boldly in what we say and do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Maybe the Most Revered Place on Earth

“Israeli soldiers and Arab Temple Mount Police guard what may be the most revered place on earth, the Dome of the Rock,” from He Walked With Us. It was built on the foundation of the temple mount constructed by King Solomon, which is over the place where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, his son (2 Chronicles 3:1). Behind the temple and in a large courtyard, some stones on the Western Wall are up to ten feet high and nearly forty-five feet long. These stones are incredible to see; even more amazing to mentally process how they got there. The Western Wall is a place where Jews and Christians pray.

I visited an underground part of the wall where women pray. In this narrow tunnel I wrote my requests on a small piece of paper–naming each person in my family and tucked it between two large stones. It’s an experience dear and unforgettable to me.

While the Dome of the Rock is overlaid with gold and is regarded as the meeting place of God, Jesus purchased our immediate access to the Father with His own blood on the cross. The earth shook and the curtain in the most holy place in the temple was torn in two, top to bottom. All barriers to God were broken down.

As craftsmen took many years to build and rebuild the temple throughout history, God is building a church through His people. Peter said, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” In these troubling times, know that God loves and cares about what happens to you. He is available to comfort and counsel. It meant something for me to put my prayer requests into the rocks at the Wailing Wall, but it means more to me to be able to call on God any time of the day or night. He is available. His connection is always open. Have you had this experience? If so, tell someone. They might need to know.

Prayer: Holy God, thank you for Jesus who opened the door for us to have a clear connection with you, wherever we are. Thank you that you hear our prayers and that you care about what happens in our lives. Help us to trust you to lead us through these troubling times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.