February 23

 
"...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will..."  (Ephesians 1:4-5)

 
  Unlike “family planning” in many human families, not a single of the Lord Master’s predestined children were a surprise. Just as today’s passage declares, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." These verses also tell us why we were conceived. It reveals to each of us that God predestined us in love specifically for the purpose of adoption as children through the Lord Jesus Christ because of His kindness toward us. In this very short passage of Scripture, we discover that the world around us is anything but random. Likewise, it describes our world as anything but meaningless. Each of us was created by the Love of God for the Love of God! In stark contrast, the enemy has convinced the children of wrath that only by some bizarre, random set of circumstances did they arise from the primordial slime, and that they and their lives have no meaning except for what they give them. He has sold them the lie that they will live and die hopeless and empty, destined only for darkness at the end of their short lifespan. At this midday, let us rejoice not only that we have purpose, but let us also rejoice, beloved, that we have a future that has no end, extending throughout all eternity side-by-side with the Creator Who fashioned each of us specifically, designed by love, just so that we may live by His side holy and blameless forever and ever.

 
Before the King at Midday

 
“Father of my creation, I pray that You will keep my eyes focused on Your Presence with me today. But also, I plead that You will fill not just my eyes, but my mind and my heart and my view of eternity with Your love. It is Your supernatural love that is the foundation of Your kind intentions for me on this day and every other that extend from this moment and forever outward – days with You and beside You that have no end at all. Amen.”