Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Reflect
From the Cumberland Presbyterian Catechism
- What does adoption mean? Adoption means being accepted into God’s family, sinful people though we are.
A memory I have is of my adopted son Marcus. He was a church kid who lived with his mother and brother. He and his brother fought constantly. Marcus was pretty good at getting in trouble at school; he was pretty good at getting in trouble at home as well. Life was not easy for him, and he never helped his case because he was just (still is) hardheaded. His mother passed away from complications of heart disease. He began to live with us, but it was a little bumpy at first. I think we were fighting about something most hours we were awake.
One time, he did something disrespectful and knew my wife and I were hurt and angry. He sat down, began to cry, and said, “I just want to belong somewhere where I don‘t mess everything up.“ Of course, that cut me to the heart, and I was quickly reminded that sinful though I am, God has accepted me into the family and has shown me nothing but grace. I decided then and there that I would, through the help of the Holy Spirit, extend grace and love to Marcus. I am thankful that God treats me even better than I attempt to treat my children.
Pray
God, you have set your love upon us in Jesus Christ. Thanks to your great love for us, you have adopted us as children of God. Thank you for your faithfulness to us even when we are unfaithful. Thank you for love for us, sinful though we are. Amen.
Go with God!
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