Being in a family means unconditional love. Without working to earn it. Parents for example give their children what they need. Simply because they are part of the family. God has made us His children. And He gives us what we need. All because He loves us. We don’t have to earn His grace or love. We know He calls us His own. And has a special plan for us. When we love and seek to serve Him. We can be confident we act in His will and will carry out His purposes.
O God. From You come all holy desires. All good counsels. And all just works. Give us. Your servants. That peace which the world simply cannot give. That our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. And also. That We. Being defended from fear. May live in peace and quietness.
Hymn: # 26 Crown Him with Many Crowns Vv. 1-3
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.
That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Ephesians 1:3-14
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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Hymn #26 Crown Him with Many Crowns Vv. 4=5
Did you know that you were chosen for a special purpose? You might feel like your life is just simple and basic. But God has a plan for you. He has promised to bless you and provide you with special and wonderful things.
In our lesson today from the book of Ephesians - we are reminded of the grace and blessings He gives us. God chose us. And had a plan for us. Even before the world began!
How can that be? He loves us so much that He knew what our lives would be like before we were born. And before the Earth was born. God has adopted us into His family. He calls us His children. Because of that. We are promised a special inheritance.
An inheritance is something that your family gives you to take care of you. God has given us an inheritance as His children.
We are part of His will. And His blessings never fall short. And one day we will receive Heaven!
For now. We are promised that God will make us part of His will. And we recognize that we have a purpose to live out. God wants all people to know Him. And be in His family.
Our purpose, then, is to help make that happen. We might not know exactly how God will have us do that. But we can be assured that He calls us to be part of His plans.
The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s presence and purpose in and through us. Sometimes we might feel like our lives are not that significant. Or special. Or like we aren’t really going to go far. But that is untrue! God has chosen you. He has brought you into His family. He will use you. It might take some work. It might involve other people. We aren’t always sure how He’s going to work His will. But we know our lives will have meaning.
God chooses you! He loves you. And He promises to be present with you. Whatever happens. And wherever your life paths lead. Recognize His hand is on you. And will give you all you need. He is your Father. He cares for us. And has remarkable things in store for our lives! Anything is possible when we remember who we are in Christ.
Lord thank you for your love and care. Thank you for your many blessings. Thank you for choosing us and adopting us. And creating us with purpose. Help us to follow you and know your will.
Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Words –966
Passive Sentences –7.4%
Readability –87.5%
Reading Level -3.2
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