November 2, 2016 – Ephesians 1:5-7

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  Ephesians 1:5-7God wanted us before we were – as his own. We spend a lifetime needing to be wanted, and we were wanted all along.  God wants us. And He provides a way by belonging to Jesus.  It gives him great pleasure when we acknowledge Jesus as our Savior Lord and God as our Father.How can we do less than praise God for his glorious grace He pours out on us when we belong to Jesus.  Our sins are forgiven.The mystery is solved, God shows us and fulfills his good plan.  God doesn’t say when, but at the right time, God places everything in heaven and on earth under the authority of Jesus Christ. When we are united with Christ in love, we have an inheritance from God who makes all things work together according to His Plan.Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:9-11