God’s Love Speaking to Us
Friday’s Verse:
From Mark 1:11 ESV
And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
As Jesus was baptized, God the Father said to Him, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
I don’t think those words were only for Jesus; I think we are to hear those words at our baptisms, when we are joined to Christ in His death and resurrection. When we are fully clothed in the righteousness of Christ, God the Father looks at us and says, “You are My beloved child. With you, I am well pleased.”
When you feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or consumed by “what ifs,” stop and remember that you are not defined by what you do or don’t do; the grace of God defines you. The Father’s love is not a love that we earn, but one He speaks over us, and we hear it because we are in Christ. You are beloved, you are accepted, you are called by name.
Let those words lift you up today! The world may try to label you or shame you or tell you that you are not enough, but your Father in heaven rejoices over you! His voice of love is louder than the voice of fear and shame and all the negative things you have been told!
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Dear God, I praise You that You have made me Your dear one through Jesus Christ. Cause me to hear Your words of love and delight, when I am feeling cast down. Let Your being pleased with me lift my heart, so that I would walk each day in the grace of trusting as a child. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The image above was created by Grok (grok.com)