Psalm 34:8

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Sweet Jesus, O how I love the sweetness of Your Words. They are sweeter to my taste than the finest chocolate in the world. Your delicious concoction of promises and commands is irresistible. They satisfy my most intense craving, evoking pleasure in the deepest part of my soul. Hidden in my Bible are surprising nuggets of truth. As I taste each one, I discover Your mouthwatering goodness that melts my heart. Your opulent promises are my source of hope. Sinking my teeth into Your sumptuous loving kindness comforts my troubled spirit. Indulging, in Your luxurious mercies, refreshes my distressed mind. Treating myself to Your bittersweet commands makes my salvation thick, rich and smooth. Your Words, O Lord, are an attractive treat! They are my heart's delight and joy! I have tasted and experienced Your goodness. With all my heart I want to savor the magnificent flavor every day of my life, and share the sweetness with others to glorify and bless Your sweet name. Amen.

Your Bible is a delectable box of chocolates waiting to be devoured. Open it, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Ephesians 1:6

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. NKJV

O Gracious Father! Your Words are a love sonnet to my soul! I just want to sit in the warmth of Your presence, listening to them until they penetrate the deepest part of me. Why in the world would You - Holy and Perfect Father - choose, adopt and accept a scruffy child like me? Because I can't grasp the depth of Your love, I try to earn Your acceptance by doing good things, not realizing that I'll never measure up to Your holy standard. Only when I work in relation to Your Son are the things I do acceptable and pleasing to You. Shamefully, I try to hide my faults from You. Unfortunately, I can't conceal anything from Your holy gaze. If I'd only humble myself and admit what I've done wrong, You'd lovingly cover up my mistakes, accepting my inadequacies. As though Your acceptance is non-existent, I often run off looking for approval of important people. Deceived, demoralized, and disappointed, I hesitate to return to You. Too proud to admit my poor judgment, I fear You'll reject me. In reality, You're eagerly waiting for me to come back. Please give me a fuller understanding of Your glorious grace so that I'll quit seeking approval and begin seeking Your face. When I stop running away from You and start running into Your open arms, I'll realize that I'm totally accepted in Love. In Your strong grip of grace, I'll show my heartfelt gratitude by living a life of love when I accept others despite their idiosyncrasies for the praise Your Beloved Name.  Amen.

Are you trying to earn God's acceptance by works? Are you avoiding Him because of something You've done? Are you afraid He'll reject you, if you go back to Him? Listen to His promise. He has accepted you in Love. Stop seeking His approval; you're already approved by Him. If you've done something awful, stop avoiding Him and go tell Him about it. His Word says if we confess our sins, He's faithful and just and will forgive our sins. (1 John 1:9) If you've wandered off looking for approval from man, go back to Him, He's waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32) His Word says, "Nothing can separate you from His love." (Romans 8:35-39)

Ephesians 1:5-6

Ephesians 1:5-6 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. NLT

Abba, Father, I'm thankful and joyful that You decided to adopt me into Your royal family, reserving a room for me in Your mansion in the sky. You will be my Father and I will be Your dearly loved child forever because of my relationship with Your Son. O how I love to tell of the marvelous grace You've poured out on me. Your loving kindness makes me feel like dancing. Upon arriving in the hallowed halls of Your heaven, You'll wipe every tear from my eye. You'll crown me with compassion and clothe me with fine linen, white and clean purchased with the blood of Jesus. I'll be made new. My heart leaps for joy at the very thought of the rich inheritance for those whom You adopted in love. Until I get there, I'll be seized by shame, suffering and sorrow. In the midst of misery, I'll live a life of love by rejoicing and giving thanks to You for bringing me into Your family. Singing sweet songs in my sadness, and powerfully pleading for patience during pain, I'll smile when I feel like crying. When others around me hear my heavenly hope they'll join in the celebration when they choose to believe the blessed and beautiful words from my lips. Thank You, Father for my identity and inheritance. They are my joy, delight and strength. No one can ever take this treasured heritage from me. Please put a smile on my face today that reflects the love and joy in my heart because of who I am in Jesus! Amen.

Knowing that God adopted you in love, what should your response be in the midst of suffering?  How will you live a life of love in order to share in Christ's glory? Read how Paul & Silas live out their love in prison in Acts 16:16-40. What can you learn about their example?

Deuteronomy 7:6

Deuteronomy 7:6 You are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

My Knight in Shining Armor, Hearing Your Holy Word thrills my heart! It stirs my soul to think that, in love, You chose me out of all the people on the face of the earth to be royal, holy, and redeemed. Who am I to deserve this kind of love? Even though I was hiding in the dark behind a thick wall of shame, You found me, and gave Your life to rescue me. Bringing me into the wonderful light of Your love, You traded my ripped rags for a royal robe of righteousness. Miraculously Your Words changed my rough callused heart to a soft, holy one. I'm utterly ecstatic that an unbecoming person like me is no longer abandoned, but belongs to You, the High King of Heaven! Not only that, I'm Your treasured possession! Valuable! Priceless! Precious! O how thankful I am that You rescued me from the dark dungeon of my past, brought me into the wonderful light, and called me to be Yours! I can't keep quiet about my miracle makeover! As a member of Your royal family, I'm obligated to live a life of love by publicly telling others the difference You've made in my life. Now to You who chose me, out of all the people on the face of the earth to be Your treasured possession be the glory, honor and praise forever and ever.  Amen.

God chose you in love to be His treasured possession, not because you deserve it, but because of His loving kindness. You are valuable, priceless, and precious to Him. In the light of His love, will you fully surrender your life to be the royal priest He's called you to be? A royal priest devoted to his life to serving God and speaking out for Him.

Deuteronomy 7:13;Ephesians 1:3

Deuteronomy 7:13 He will love you and bless you. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

O God My Father, What a blessing You are! Because of my friendship with Your dear Son, You've lovingly lavished me with all the riches of heaven. Pouring out Your glorious grace on me, You exchanged the ashes of my broken heart for a crown of beauty turning my sad days to glad days. My heart leaps for joy because of Your great love! Pitying me, You looked beyond my imperfections. It delighted You to trade my tattered clothes of despair for a garment of praise. Handing me the Book of Love, a Holy Bible, You gave me wisdom and knowledge to understand the mysteries of Your Word. In the blessing of Your love, humiliation turned to honor enabling me to proudly display Your majestic splendor. A changed person, full of glory and grace, I'll begin rebuilding ruined relationships. From the wreckage and rubble, I'll build lasting friendships that bridge others to Your heavenly kingdom. Because You've doubly blessed me with a beautiful new beginning, I'll live a life of love. Blessing others, I'll celebrate the everlasting legacy available to me because of my relationship with Your own dear Son. Amen.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Make a list of all the spiritual blessings God gives you because of your friendship with His Son. How will they help you live a life of love? Dig deeper by reading Isaiah 61.

Psalm 16:8-11

Psalm 16:8-11 I am always thinking of the Lord; And because he is so near, I never need to stumble or fall. Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy. For you will not leave me among the dead, You will not allow your beloved one to rot in the grave; You have let me experience the joys of life, And the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence. The Book

My Dear Friend, You are my Lord! You light up my life, making my heart happy. O how I need You every minute of every day! You are absolutely precious to me! Constantly thinking of You keeps me out of trouble and away from temptation. My problems and pressures turn to joy when I think about Your deep love for me. You love me so much that You died saving me from destruction and death while I was Your hard-hearted enemy. Not only that, but You came back to life and chose to live in my heart. Since You've moved in, my life hasn't been the same. The crud and cob webs are gone. You polished me with loving kindness and now I sparkle. I'm no longer lonely, hungry or thirsty. You're my Provider and Best Friend. Your powerful presence is my protection. I've finally found peace and contentment - the exquisite pleasures of Your eternal presence living in me. My problems and pressures turn to joy when I think about Your deep love for me. You love me so much that You died saving me from destruction and death while I was Your hard-hearted enemy. Not only that, but You came back to life and chose to live in my heart. Since You've moved in, my life hasn't been the same. The crud and cob webs are gone. You polished me with loving kindness and now I sparkle. I'm no longer lonely, hungry or thirsty. You're my Provider and Best Friend. Your powerful presence is my protection. I've finally found peace and contentment - the exquisite pleasures of Your eternal presence living in me. Please dear Lord, let me glow with delight from the joy of Your presence living in me because of Jesus. Amen.

Who are you thinking about today? If you think about the Lord, He promises: You will never stumble and fall You will be filled with joy He won't leave you among the dead, rotting in a grave You're His beloved one You will experience the exquisite pleasure of His eternal presence Just thinking about my friendship with God excites me! Why He would befriend a sinner like me, is beyond my understanding. I'm choosing to believe Him and accept the cherished gift of His friendship because of Jesus! May the smile on my face reflect the joy in my heart, O Lord, because I am Your beloved friend! Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Psalm 103:1-5

Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,  Who satisfies your desires with good things.

Our Loving King~ We bow before Your heavenly throne in awe of Your Majesty. You are Lord Most High. Your name is Holy! Thank You for all the gifts You generously give to Your beloved children. You forgive ALL our mistakes - past, present and future; BIG, Middle-sized, and small. The next time we choose to wallow in a sea of self-pity remind us that You don't harbor a grudge. In love, all our errors were erased at the Cross with the precious blood of Your Only Son. Thank You, Jesus! You are the Great Physician who touches and heals our heart disease. Gently, You mend the deep gashes, scrape away the calluses, and bandage our injured souls by Your stripes. Compassionately, the capillaries preventing Your love from steadily flowing through us are unclogged. Thank You for providing unending heavenly healing. Reaching Your long fingers into the messy muck and mire of our lives, You pull us out of the polluted pit and redeem us. With the sludge of sin washed away by the blood of the Lamb, we sparkle and shine like never before. We are free to live above shame and reproach. Thank You for changing us.  Because you are a doting and loving Father, You crown us with love and kindness. We don't deserve to be forgiven, healed, or redeemed, but it delights You to give us these treasures. You are pleased to embrace us and teach us to walk Your way. Thank You, Father, that Your hands are wide enough to hold the whole world. In Your presence the desires of our hearts are satisfied. You give us a never-ending supply of Bread from Heaven, Your Holy Word. Our thirsty souls are continuously quenched with fresh water from the River of Life. There is nothing more rewarding or tranquil than communing with You. Thank You for Your plentiful provision. Recognizing the incredibly good gifts You've given us in the name of Jesus, we stand up and sing to You, our Father and King! Make us a blessing today! Amen.

If You are a child of God, You are a child of the King and the heir of these incredibly good and generous gifts. Have you claimed the benefits of His royal family? They are yours and they are free! Please accept them gratefully and be satisfied.

Exodus 33:11

Exodus 33:11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.

Faithful Friend, I'm astonished that You have chosen to speak friend to friend with a rebel like me. You're prominent, perfect, and pure. I'm insignificant, imperfect and impure. My life is in shambles! I've made bad choices and I'm incredibly needy! Of all the beautiful and gifted people in the world who seem to have so much to offer, You've chosen to chat with me. I have no beauty, no gift, and no clout to offer. While some people wouldn't be caught dead associating with me, You, Most High, are delighted to call me "friend".  How can this be? It is a mystery I will never understand. My heart dances within to hear You calling and inviting me to hang out with You - the Immortal, Invincible, Incorruptible King. It's not the rich and famous You desire to be with, but lowly people with humble hearts. Thank You for stooping down to speak to me face to face when I come to You with an open heart, mind and Bible. I yearn to hear Your Voice. O how I desire to know You deeply, personally, and intimately. Keep the fire burning in my heart and consume me with passion. I never want to break away from this sweet fellowship we enjoy. I'm tickled that You'd speak to me friend to friend! Hallelujah! Amen.

Friendship with God is attainable. Moses was far from prominent, perfect and pure. He wasn't great or glamorous either. In fact, after committing murder he was wandering in the wilderness when God chose to befriend him. No matter who you are, what you've done, or where you've been the Immortal, Invincible, Incorruptible King is calling you into uninterrupted intimacy with Him. Respond to Him with an open heart, mind and Bible, and He will speak to you face to face as a man speaks to a friend.

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

O Great God, You are the most famous artist of all time. I could search the whole wide world and find no one as creative or talented as You. Unscrupulous con artists continually corrupt Your creation. The world presses people into cookie cutter patterns that perform for power, possessions and pleasure. It uses symbols of status to stamp us with success. When we conform to their hard pressed image we become heartless, mindless and lifeless like plastic toys and trinkets. You however, have a unique technique for sculpting original works of art that are eternally beautiful, valuable and useful. All we have to do is stay soft and pliable in Your meticulous hands every day. Throughout the lifelong process, our eyes will turn toward You, our Designer, when we open our Bibles. Meditating on Your sacred Scriptures will form our true character. They'll expose the rough spots of rebellion that need to be scraped away. They'll correct our cracks, flaws, and blemishes. They'll squeeze us and change us into Your perfect plan. Through the heat of life we'll come out of the fiery furnace glazed with Your glory. With Your Holy Word permanently etched on my heart, my mind will be altered to live Your way. Please don't let con artists squeeze me into the rigid mold of the world. I want to remain soft and pliable in Your skillful hand where I can be shaped into a pleasantly perfect pot to pour out Your extraordinary love. Please dear Lord, transform my mind today, making me an eternally valuable vessel for the praise of Your most creative name. Amen.

What pattern of the world is pressing you today? What will you do differently to prevent con artists from corrupting you?