Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) – Acts 11:25-26

I was eavesdropping as my baby-girl had a heart-to-heart with her turtle, Sammy. She was explaining to her that her full name (since we’ve discovered she’s a girl) is Samantha Marie Hendricks. Samantha, of course, since her name was already Sammy and that’s the female version. Marie, because that’s Carissa’s middle name. Hendricks…. that one stopped me in my tracks a little.

See, it matters to my children that Sammy is a part of our family. They want it known, without having to explain. They want the introduction to tell the story. This may be a turtle, but she’s our turtle and we love her.

And so they have granted her our name.

Are you a Christian? Do people know, just from an introduction, to whom you belong?

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 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. – Ephesians 1:4-6

You, Dear One, are chosen. This gave Him great pleasure, this adoption. The adoption of YOU.

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. – 1 John 5:13

Remember the promise… you have eternal life. He invites you to call Him, “Abba”.

Whatever you are facing today, surely this will plant hope in your heart. You have been adopted into the only name that saves. The name under which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. If you haven’t accepted this Good News yet, what is hindering you?

Come, join the family.

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? – Romans 10:13-14

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. – Romans 10:9-10

Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:10-11

Dear God in Heaven, we praise You because You are awesome and mighty. We are astounded that You would love us as You do. Thank You for this hope to end all hope. Thank You for gathering under Your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

---

If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.

All you have to do is click one of the buttons below.

May God Bless You,

Shelly