Monthly Archives: October 2021

To the Point Tuesday: Did You Ever…?

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Last week, I asked you… Have you ever felt chosen? Ephesians 1 declares that ALL of us have been chosen to have relationship with God. Ephesians 2 takes us further and so I ask…

Did you ever?

Did you ever accept the invitation to live in grace? It is God’s grace that allows us to truly live and be reconciled by the sacrifice of Jesus.  And it’s only by grace… not anything you or I can be or do.

Many people, like me,  grew up with the “pull yourselves up by the boot-straps” mentality. Our motto is: We can accomplish what we set our minds to do. So, it can be challenging and humbling to realize that there is no way that we can achieve salvation on our own. But it is also freeing! Because if we can’t gain it on our own, then we can’t lose it on our own either! Our Salvation rests in what Jesus has already done for us and our willingness to accept the invitation to live in God’s grace. Wow!

Yes, it’s that simple and yet profound! Say “yes” to the invitation to live in God’s grace… there’s an abundant supply of His mercy and grace available to you. When you realize how very much God loves you, you’ll stop wondering if you are “good enough” to be His kid or “bad enough” to even need Him. Instead you’ll rest in the knowledge that you are His workmanship, His masterpiece, His poetry! And then you’ll want to get to know Him better and learn the desires in His heart for you. (vs. 10)

There’s so much more to learn in Ephesians 2! Read on to learn about how the blood of Jesus:

  • Gives access to the Father through the Holy Spirit
  • Brings unity
  • Fulfills the requirements of the law
  • Break downs the walls of prejudice
  • Abolishes ethnic barriers
  • Makes us citizens of Heaven!

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Vs. 13

I hope you say, “Yes!”

Live Loved,

To the Point Tuesday: Have You Ever…?

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Lately, I’ve felt compelled to dig into the book of Ephesians. I armed myself with multiple versions, a notebook, and my favorite colored pens.  After digesting the first chapter, I had to ask you, my readers…

Have you ever?

Have you ever felt chosen? wanted? pursued?

The truth is, no matter how you’ve felt, you are all of those things!!

You are Chosen! You are Wanted! You are Pursued!

In Ephesians 1, the Holy Spirit assures us that before the very foundations of the world, before Adam and Eve listened to lies, before sin became the norm, God designed a plan to restore our relationship with Him!

ALL OF US! Please don’t miss the ALL!* God knew what you were going to be like before your first breath. He knew about my struggles before I was formed. He knew the good, the bad, and the ugly about all of His creations before Adam and Eve opened their eyes.

Yet, He wants to have a relationship with us! He delights in us! You see, the same love He has for Jesus, He has for ALL of us. He longs to have relationship with each and every person He created. We are His kids, made in His image!

Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are adopted and restored as His very own. He has co-seated us in the Heavens with Jesus! This is just a taste of what we are invited to participate in! Dig into Ephesians 1 for yourself! Ask the Lord to stir a hunger for a deeper relationship with Him.

Live Loved,

*John 3:16, II Peter 3:9, Romans 10:12

To the Point Tuesday: Is Your Heavenly Dad Proud of You?

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Have you ever wondered if God is proud of you? As parents, we tend to tell our kids that we are proud of them for working hard, accomplishing a goal, or making wise choices. Agreed? As children of the Heavenly King, it makes sense that we’d want Him to be proud of our choices and efforts, right?

A quick dive into the Word of God reveals the following:

  • When God created man, He looked at His creations and said, “They are very good.” (Genesis 1:26-27)
  • We are to “walk” through life in a way that is pleasing to God. (I Thessalonians 4:1)
  • We have right-standing before God in Jesus. (II Corinthians 5:21)
  • God loves us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
  • He declares that He delights in us. (Isaiah 62:4)
  • Our Father will lift us up if we choose to walk in humility (I Peter 5:6-7)
  • He rejoices over us with gladness and singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
  • We are blessed when we give praise to the Lord. (Psalm 89:15)

So, I don’t know if God is proud of you and me. But I do know this….

We are blessed when we choose His ways!

He loves us deeply and unconditionally because we are made in His image!

The righteousness of Jesus covers us giving us access to His presence!

When we love Him, walk in obedience, and love others, He is pleased with us!

He adores us and rejoices over us!

Let those thoughts roll around in your spirit! Your Daddy delights in you! Why wouldn’t we want to live in a way that lights up His face with a smile?

Live Loved,