Pause

As the old song says, we have a great friend in Jesus. Following in his way, we know deep joy, new challenges, and intimate companionship.

And there is more. In these next moments of quiet contemplation, open your heart and your imagination to learn about all you receive as God's beloved child.

Listen

In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14

Think

The way I remember it, I was immersed three times when I was baptized: once each for the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. I was nine years old. Perhaps, I only went down in the water once. Either way, I met the living Lord there. I became a new person. Although I had loved God for a long time already, God had loved me from before the beginning of time. I felt like I was now part of the family of God. The day I was baptized was one of the most important days of my life.

My church then did not use oil to seal us by the Holy Spirit as we do in my current church. However, it is always a special and emotional moment for me when I see the children and the occasional adult being anointed with oil. I remember with joy the day I stepped out in faith and was redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood. I remember that first gladness and lightness of heart I felt when my sins were washed away. I praise God for the joy of grace.

Deborah Hurd

Pray

Gracious God, restore me when I grow weary. Remind me of the love and grace that drew me into your kingdom. Shine on me when I encounter the darkness in this world. Amen.

Go

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Colossians 1:11-12