by Zach Roll

God’s chosen people.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

“And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments” Deuteronomy 26:18 English Standard Version 

This picture was taken at the 2013 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Youth Gathering in San Antonio. I was a junior in high school when my youth group went to the event. For me at that time, I had faith, I was a Christian, but I was really looking forward more than anything to meeting new people, and exploring a new city since I’m from a small agricultural town. I had all of these expectations about the trip, and all of them were shattered, on the very first day, in the best way.

The truth is that, individually and apart from Christ, there is nothing special or unique about this group. However, out of His love for us, God sent Jesus Christ into the world, that it might be saved, and so that Christ would have the Church for his beloved possession (Titus 2:14).

Christ has declared that his Church is a people for his treasured possession. Christ came down from heaven, that we may not remain lost in this world, but so he would bring us back to Himself. God has promised you eternal life through faith in Christ. God is faithful in His promises, and in His love towards you and His Church.

Yes, there were bright lights, loud music, comedy skit shows, and a lot of other cool, fun, things, but none of those things were what changed my attitude. What I came to understand on that trip was what it meant to be God’s Church, set apart for God’s love, and set apart to be a blessing to those throughout the world. As Christ has found you, and rejoiced, we are to seek the lost and proclaim Christ that they might be found.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO