You are seated with Christ — Weekly Encouragement – March 29, 2020

Greetings Friend,

       “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in Love, just as Christ also Loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

       As I read this Scripture I have this picture: Little Davey (or _______; insert your name) was playing in the front yard and some rough kids came along and teased you into going with them. It seemed like fun; you felt like one of the “big kids”. But pretty soon they were drawing you into stuff you weren’t comfortable with; things that weren’t right and you knew would be trouble for you. But you didn’t leave because it was a little bit fun (as long as you didn’t get caught) and you still wanted to “prove” yourself and be accepted by them.

       At the same time, your Dad saw you enticed away and He said to your Brother (let’s call Him Jesus), “Son, apparently Davey (_______; you) doesn’t know how much We Love him. Let’s show him. Go get Your brother.”

       When Jesus found us, He said, “I’ve come to get Davey (_______).” They said, “We’ll have to teach him a lesson before we let him go.” Out of Love for you, Jesus said, “beat Me up instead”; and they did — really badly! And then Jesus took you back to your Father who did nothing but LOVE you with everything He had!

       If that really happened, you would know you were Loved and you’d know you were valuable, wouldn’t you? You’d know that you didn’t need to prove anything to anybody because you belong to the greatest family that absolutely adores you. Wouldn’t you want to be just like Dad and love to hang out with your Brother? It would give you Peace and Rest if that really happened to you, wouldn’t it? WELL, IT DID!!!

       So, here’s the Encouragement: “But God, being Rich in mercy, BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE WITH WHICH HE LOVED US, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by Grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing Riches of His Grace in Kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

God bless,

Davey