On Our Hearts: One Of The Family

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

I was reading through John during my Bible study this week and was reminded of just how much suffering Jesus Christ endured during that time on the cross. Imagine if you were asked to be placed in front of your office or home nearly naked and beaten and mocked for hours, just so your co-workers or family could live a life free of sin. I'm not so sure I would accept that proposition. Would you? Not only did Christ accept this call on His life, He did it knowing He would suffer in the worst possible way. Without complaint, without manipulation, and without even a mild anesthetic He willfully suffered to welcome us into His family. The devil wants you to think that God is a distant, harsh dictator who only delights in punishing us. The Bible proves that nothing could be further from the truth.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for Your ultimate sacrifice on the cross. We are so thankful that the blood You shed has washed us clean from sin. It is unimaginable the pain and suffering that You endured just for us. We are unworthy of the grace You have given us. God, we are Your child, You have accepted us. A child that longs for Your guidance, counsel, and protection. However, we can rest in knowing that our eternal salvation is secure in You. No amount of sin will compromise that. And no works are required to fulfill it. It is a free gift - underserving. And yet Lord we are so thankful that we no longer have to worry about our eternity. We have a Father in heaven who is ready to scoop us up and hold us in His arms. Our Abba Father who loves us unconditionally. A father who wasn't just handed his child, but a Father who took great care to choose us. What joy to have been chosen by the King of Kings!

Amen

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27