27 Apr, 2011
Chosen By God
Tomorrow, at 8:00 pm, EST, football players and fans will be glued to all types of media outlets, to get the final word on who wants whom. Of course, I'm talking about the NFL draft. Men (and women) everywhere are waiting to see if their teams will get the a good pick, a star player who will bring their team success and glory, or if they'll wind up with someone they'll just end up trading at a later time. It's bound to be a weekend packed with pressure and anxiety for everyone involved. While it may not be quite so nerve-wracking for someone like Cam Newton, or Marcell Dareus, who are sure to be first picks, there are countless young men sitting in the wings, hopeful that this will be their chance . . . that someone will want, and take, them.
(Image courtesy of Google Images)
Ephesians 1:3-4 (NLT)
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 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.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being chosen by God?Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 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.
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
1:4 Paul says that God "chose us" to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it but because God is gracious and freely gives salvation... there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of God long before we existed. It is hard to understand how God could accept us. But because of Christ, we are holy and blameless in his sight. God chose us, and when we belong to him through Jesus Christ, God looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do is express our thanks for his wonderful love.
I can't relate to the college football stars who will spend this weekend on pins and needles, waiting to see if they will be chosen in the NFL draft and by which team. When I was a kid, I was just happy if I wasn't the last one picked to be on a team when we would choose up sides during recess or a backyard game.
Paul is teaching us that God did not choose us for our goodness or abilities. We've been "picked" to know Christ, because of God's amazing grace.
Some football players will get to experience the glory and riches that go along with making it in the NFL.
None of us will make it to Heaven on our own, but because we were chosen in Christ, we will experience the glory and riches that go along with being God's children.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
• Take a couple of minutes to reflect on the fact that God's love for you is so great, that He chose you to know Him through Christ. Think about His unconditional love for you. Be amazed by His grace. Look forward to seeing Him face to face some day. Now just listen to His voice. Worship Him....
• Read today's passage every day this weekend and meditate on God's amazing love for you.
• Write down a list of ways you have already experienced the "blessings" of being chosen to be on God's
team. Review this whenever you are feeling sort of left out in the world around you.
• Take a couple of minutes to reflect on the fact that God's love for you is so great, that He chose you to know Him through Christ. Think about His unconditional love for you. Be amazed by His grace. Look forward to seeing Him face to face some day. Now just listen to His voice. Worship Him....
• Read today's passage every day this weekend and meditate on God's amazing love for you.
• Write down a list of ways you have already experienced the "blessings" of being chosen to be on God's
team. Review this whenever you are feeling sort of left out in the world around you.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
• Do you know another follower of Jesus who is feeling sort of left out? Share today's DAILYBIDE with him or her and offer your encouragement and prayer.
• Identify a friend at school or where you work or a family member who needs Jesus. If her or she is interested in God's Story, use today's story about the NFL Draft as a conversation starter about being chosen for riches and glory as a child of God.
• Use this DAILYBIDE as a study in your youth group or small group.
• Do you know another follower of Jesus who is feeling sort of left out? Share today's DAILYBIDE with him or her and offer your encouragement and prayer.
• Identify a friend at school or where you work or a family member who needs Jesus. If her or she is interested in God's Story, use today's story about the NFL Draft as a conversation starter about being chosen for riches and glory as a child of God.
• Use this DAILYBIDE as a study in your youth group or small group.
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