Psalm 100:3 “Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
I simply have to admit it—God has given me the best in life from my 30’s onward (I had some very tough years before that). He gave me His Son as my Savior and my husband, who led me to Jesus’ door and helped me knock on it. Recently my sweet guy, Terry, went on a motorcycle ride, leaving very early in the morning before I was up. Later, I found on the kitchen counter an endearing poem that ended with the words: “X’s and O’s, good and plenty and strong; You are the bestest, and to me you belong.” (Yes, Terry loves making up words!) I loved the entire poem, but what really hit me were his words, “..to me you belong.” Now of course I’ve known this all along, but to have it written, there before me, meant so very much! I was and am filled with joy when I think of belonging to Terry because he is such a good man—one who not only treasures me, in spite of all my foibles, but strives after God. God—I was led then and now to dwell on belonging to Him. I came to the conclusion that believing in Christ is the definition of belonging, for as God's children, He will allow nothing to snatch us from His hand! Why? All people are God’s creations, but we become His children when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior; God immediately adopts us and we become part of His family, and God takes care of His own! Being the best of all fathers, God gives us life-changing promises, just as He gave the Israelites, for we become seeds of Abraham: “ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29 What are some of those promises? Here are just a few: “The LORD hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the broken hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.” Psalm 34 17: 19 We undoubtedly will face many sorrows in life, the result of The Fall, but God promises us that He is with us. Sometimes we may feel His uplifting presence; at others, we will not. However, this does not mean God is not there. He is indeed, for He cares what we go through with all His heart, and He is a promise keeper: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 Our God will never fail us: “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5 Our Father provides for us; He leads, refreshes and restores us; He protects us from the evil one and promises us eternal life. Wow—what more could we ask in a dad? (Psalm 23) God gives us an inheritance as His sons and daughters, and what an inheritance that is! “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:7 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17 When we accept Jesus as Savior, we become co-heirs with Christ, and one future day we will not only be blessed by living in His good and perfect kingdom, but we will help Him rule! WOW! "If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us…” 2 Timothy 2:12 Yes, we are deemed God's children, and we belong to Him. What a glorious feeling that is! As the Almighty's children, let us live out the following truths, knowing we will be forever His: Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God; It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says; He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.” John 10:27-29 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As a believer, you and I do indeed BELONG to God, and whoever God has adopted, is forever saved. We have Jesus’ word on this: “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.” John 6:39 If you are searching for belonging, look no further. Just cast your heart heavenward and ask Jesus to be your Savior! There is no better time than now! VERSES: Galatians 3:13-14 ”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” 1 John 3:1-3 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” PRAYER: Dear Father, there have been times in my life when I’ve searched for belonging—desiring so much to be loved as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend—and though I never knew or recognized this at that time, You were right by my side all along, waiting to rescue me by becoming my Father. Yes, it was You, Father, who answered all my longings. I know I am blessed by Your giving me a loving family, as I truly wish everyone would have—but by becoming Your child, I know that I can find belonging now with fellow believers and that one day I will discover more belonging than imaginable when I finally dwell in Your presence. Meanwhile, as I learn to live more and more for You, I discover that every void and vacuum is filled by You—by your inexpressible love, care, and guidance. Thank You, God, for being my Father. Thank You that You have written me a poem by giving me life and proving many times over,“TO ME YOU BELONG!” SONG: IN CHRIST ALONE-- Stuart Townend & Keith Getty In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! – who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied – For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine – Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand. Stuart Townend & Keith Getty Copyright © 2001 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, [email protected]) DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Comments are closed.
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Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
December 2022
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