Hope Harbor

Ephesians 1:2 (Amplified Bible) 2May grace (God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I read this verse recently and the word undisturbedness grabbed my attention. What a wonderful thing to actually appropriate the grace of God to such a degree that we would have such a calm that nothing would disturb us. May the assurance of "...knowing that He is God" allow you to have deep peace. As we trust in Him, the Holy Spirit can place a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign on the door of our souls so that no circumstance, trouble or anxiety can didrupt our rest. And we can continue to say with the hymn writer "It is well with our souls" (You can click on the post title for a video with the encouraging song.)

Ephesians 1:4-5 (Amplified Bible) 4Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]-- Adoption is a wonderful thing. Because of love children become part of a family. I have friends who have adopted a precious son from Ethiopia. I also have 2 nephews who are adopted. These boys in the natural have nothing in common with their parents. The color of their skin is different. Their genetic make-up is completely distinct from their Mom and Dad and their siblings. Despite the lack of biological connection, adopted children definitely belong in their families. This

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (NASB) Everyone longs for a sense of belonging. It is a common human experience to search for a place to abide, rest and have assurance of love. Hopefully, where we dwell, our home, is a place of safety, comfort and acceptance. Where we live can be a place of security, fostering growth and development. Jesus makes a wonderful promise to those who stay with Him and keep His words. Those who put their faith and trust in the Savior, can rest knowing they have found a “home”. The musical group Switchfoot has a song from the movie Prince Caspian which addresses this theme. Click on the title of this post This Is Home to view the music video.