1 PETER 2:9

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.

TO PONDER:

I may have mentioned in previous devotionals the time I spent volunteering in my spare time at a special needs orphanage in Vietnam. I walked into that place and fell in love.  I believe this is one of the places where God went before me, opening the door for me to experience what acceptance, and unconditional love was all about. The children were very precious, special, loveable and in need of a little bit of love.  I had some specially “chosen” little friends … some chose me, and they became part of my daily life.  Even though some of these children didn’t live to a ripe old age, they were valued and had a purpose.  Every time I set foot in that orphanage I could feel God’s presence.  I learnt what it was to be “chosen’.

Just like these children, we are precious and our life has a purpose.  We are called to so much more.  To be a living testimony to what God is doing in our lives.  To trust in God’s deliverance as only He knows what lies ahead in our lives, today, tomorrow and in the days to come

We’ve come out of darkness into light – it begins with turning away from sin and turning towards God, is the supernatural/spiritual act of the Holy Spirit, where a person’s ‘dead’ heart changes, and finally, it is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ … a new creation.  Learning to be different.  A different identity. New identity based on grace.

New identity based on ‘grace’ not ethnicity

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you’ve brought me out of darkness and into your glorious light, that you’ve opened doors and travelled with me.   Help me to remember to live each day fully aware of my identity in you, as part of the chosen.  Lead me in your boldness to share your love wherever I may go.  In Jesus name. AMEN

Today's devotion written by Noeline Brock, LifeWay Online