2 Timothy 1:2 ESV
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is Paul's greeting to Timothy, his protege and co-worker in ministry. But with a few small changes, it is also God's greeting to you:
"To (you name here), My beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus your Lord."
When we recognize how perfect and holy God is, and how faulty and unholy we are, it's hard for us to reconcile the idea that this perfect, holy God loves us in all our fauihs and unholiness. That's why God took care of the reconciliation for us.
"God…through Christ reconciled us to Himself." (See 2 Corinthians 5:18)
It may be hard for you to think of yourself as God's beloved child, but that's how He thinks of you. As you read the Bible, look for those places all through Scripture where God says He loves you. Listen for Him to speak your name and call you His beloved child.
Grace has been described as "Getting the forgiveness you don't deserve." And mercy is "Not getting the death sentence you do deserve."
Peace, then, is the gift that comes when you know you have received God's grace and mercy. And because of God's infinite love, His gifts are also infinite. Each day as you come to God in reverence, surrender yourself to Jesus, and open yourself to hear from the Holy Spirit, you receive a fresh, new batch of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Think about it…
Is there a specific verse that reminds you of God's love for you?
Are there moments in your life where God has demonstrated His love for you?
Take a moment with God
A good way to show reverence to God is through worship and praise. Some good praise verses include: Exodus 15:2, 1 Samuel 2:2, and 1Chronicles 29:11.
As you surrender to Jesus, ask Him to show you any sins for which you need to repent, and specific areas of your life that you have not truly surrendered, and some bad habits you need to give up. As you open yourself to hear from the Holy Spirit, consider Psalm 37:7, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.”
