But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. v9

I know God loves me, as I experience His love daily, and I know what He has done for me and continues to do for me.  He is slow to anger and abounding in love.  Here in today's verse we also have another great description of how God thinks of us - as His special possession.  For believers, we are also adopted into His family as His children.  We all have earthly family but it is incredible to know that we have a Heavenly Father that loves us more than anyone else on earth can.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has adopted me as one of Your own children.  Thank You Jesus!  What an incredible gift - I am not deserving of such a gift.  I worry and I have other sin. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strengths.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 1

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. v12-13

In verses 6-8, John (the apostle) tells us about John the Baptist (John the Baptist is not John the apostle (author of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation) - the messenger sent by God to "prepare the way" for Jesus and His coming ministry (see also Matthew 3, Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1, Luke 3).  

In v9-13, John then shares with us that: Jesus is the light of the world, Jesus came into the world to both be with us (to minister and teach to us, then to die for us), and that many did not recognize or believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  John then gives us this great truth about this "right" that Jesus gave us "to become children of God". 

What an amazing right!  We ALL want to be part of something - something that gives us community, love, etc.  When we believe in and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are grafted into His family.  We must also understand that if we do not believe and receive, we are not His children - listen to John Piper on this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who Has grafted me into His family!  Thank You Jesus for inviting and receiving me into Your family!  You are a great God - I love You Jesus! I am undeserving of such a God.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Psalms 8

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? v3-4

Indeed...the God who created the universe, everything in it, and controls all things...loves us...even though we are broken and sinful.  He loves us as His children (Romans 8:16, Ephesians 5:1), created us in His image (Genesis 1:27, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18), and God wants to teach, mold, and refine us to be more like Him.  

God has great plans for us - yet one more aspect of how great God's love is for us.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - even though I am broken and sinful.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards others.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.