Tag: Chosen

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

Chosen in Christ

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Based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ, w1d2

Read: Ephesians 1;3-6; SOAP: verse 4

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 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. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

Ephesians 1:3-6

In yesterday’s journey, we learned that God radically transformed Paul’s life from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Jesus Christ. Today’s journey reveals how the transformation happens. Namely, all those who identify themselves as followers/disciples of Christ, which according to Luke 9:23 means that they have turned from their wicked ways and taken up their cross daily to follow Jesus, are gifted with “every spiritual blessing.”

Gifts of Redemption

According to gotquestions.org, these blessings are “gifts of redemption.” They are only available to those who identify themselves as followers/disciples of Christ. They include: “eternal life (Revelation 5:9-10), forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), righteousness (Romans 5:17), freedom from the law’s curse (Galatians 3:13), adoption into God’s family (Galatians 4:5), deliverance from sin’s bondage (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:14-18), peace with God (Colossians 1:18-20), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To be redeemed, then, is to be forgiven, holy, justified, free, adopted, and reconciled. See also Psalm 130:7-8; Luke 2:38; and Acts 20:28.”

An Act of Love

Paul sums these gifts up in verses 4- 5, beginning with how and why God chose to adopt us as His children. Today’s LGG journal entry explains it this way: “He did this out of His great love for you and for all who would trust in Jesus as their Savior. And it doesn’t stop there. He not only chose us to be part of His family and adopted us, but He has chosen to make us holy (set apart), blameless (fully forgiven), and has given us countless blessings… In Christ, we have access, freedom, purpose, family, and so much more… If you have trusted in Jesus, this is true of you! And while the best is yet to come in heaven, God has a purpose for you in the here and now. He has chosen you to become like Him. He wants you to be His holy and blameless child, loving others as He loves you.”

Our Response

Friends, as the journal entry goes on to say: “If God has chosen us to live in such a way, we can expect Him to accomplish His mighty work in us. We should pray daily to grow in holiness and love. And when the devil wants to plague us with temptation, fear, and doubt, it is vital to remember that we have been loved and chosen by God from before the creation of the universe.”

To know that I have been loved and chosen by God, not because of anything I have done, but before the creation of the universe, is one of the most wonderful, life-changing, calming truths I have ever known. Singer/songwriter Matthew West put the truth into a song, one that is embedded in my head and heart and has rescued me from many wrestling matches with the enemy. My favorite line is: “I don’t have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me ~ I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God.”

You changed my name
You changed my name
From too far gone to saved by grace
And now I am forever changed
All because You changed my name
It’s all because You changed my name
And I don’t have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me
I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God
Oh, I don’t have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me
I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God.

Chorus/Chosen Child of God/Matthew West

Want to hear the full song? Just click the video below –

The More We Know

Find all the Adoption Truths and Process Below …

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/

Posted in Abide, Abiding in jesus, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

“I Chose You”

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based on the LGG Study, Abiding in Jesus, w6d2

Read and SOAP: John 15:16

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

John 15:16

Early on in this journey, we learned or were reminded that we are filled with God’s Spirit and called to bear His fruit. Today’s Scripture adds to this knowledge that not only are we commissioned to bear fruit, but we are also chosen by Christ.

Friends, I believe this is a crucial part of our faith. It is a truth that we must grasp to truly understand and appreciate the relationship we have been given with God – the Father, Son, and Spirit.

We were not only chosen, but we were given purpose and the responsibility to go and produce lasting fruit. Or, as today’s journal entry explains: “We didn’t just stumble into a relationship with Jesus by chance. He saw us, loved us, and appointed us for an incredible purpose. And make no mistake, this is not a random selection but a deliberate choice made by the Creator of the universe. He hasn’t just chosen us to become His own but to have a fruitful life, a life with the lasting legacy of love and service that reaches through eternity.”

Because of this relationship with Christ, who abides in us and has invited us to abide in Him, we have the privilege of asking anything, according to God’s will. We have also been told to expect to receive what we ask for. While this is a wonderful promise, we must be careful to understand what it is to pray according to God’s will. Borrowing again from today’s journal entry, I’m sharing what I believe is a helpful explanation/example of praying according to God’s will.

What are some of the things we can ask for in the name of Jesus? A godly character and lasting fruit! To be a fruitful Christian, it is absolutely essential that we come to God in faith through prayer, expecting Him to work in us the things we ask for. We abide in Jesus by depending on Him for fruit, and the way we show our dependence is through prayer – through asking Him and trusting Him to answer.

Abiding in Jesus, p175

Surely we are thankful to belong to and be loved by God. Yet, it can be daunting to realize the responsibility to bear fruit that lasts. May God help us to abide in Jesus every day that He gives, and may He help us make a lasting impact for His Kingdom. – Amen

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control …

Galatians 5:22-23

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Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

“I Am Who You Say I Am”

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Reflections on Week 3 of “In Jesus You Are …” – A Love God Greatly study about – ‘Understanding Your Identity in Christ’.

In Jesus we are Adopted … Children of God … Chosen … Citizens of Heaven … Known by God 💜 We are who He says we are – no one can change that or take it away from us. We did nothing to earn these identity markers and we can do nothing to lose them.

  • So which was your favorite this week and why?
  • Is there one that is hard to believe/claim? Why or why not?

For me, the answer to both is “chosen”. It’s my favorite because I know me. I know the good the bad and the ugly – I know my will and ways didn’t always line up with His will or bear a good image of Christ … “BUT GOD” chose me as His own – even before the foundations of the world … not just to save me but to call me His own 💜 “So that” – I – with all the good, the bad, and the ugly of me – “can show others His goodness!” (which by the way, is also my answer to the second question – I mean, it’s like the weakest kid on the playground being chosen first for a team of ‘red-rover, red-rover – LOL! That just doesn’t happen. Anyway, that’s mine – so what about you?

This song has been in my head all week … It’s a little over 3 minutes but it’s worth every second –

“I Am Who You Say I Am” – Hillsong

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

In Jesus You Are … Chosen

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Week 3, Day 3

Read: Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9; SOAP: 1 Peter 2:9

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 NLT

…Peter’s message was a reminder that all Christians, including Gentiles, were chosen by God.

Read the full devotional 

Reflection Questions:

  • Why has God chosen us to be His people?
  • What does He ask us to do now that we are chosen as His?

Your turn – What are your thoughts on today’s passage? Share your thoughts in the comment bar