Chosen Vessels of God

Ever merciful God, chooses vessels for His glory, honor and praise. We, His children, were sinners saved by grace; we did not choose ourselves, but rather, were chosen of God, according to His will and purpose.  

O, the joy and peace of dwelling in His holy presence, worshipping and serving Him in spirit and in truth; growing in the grace and the knowledge of our Maker, Savior, Redeemer, King of kings and Lord of lords. The more we yield to the Lord, the more His glory fills our lives and is reflected in the world.  

As with Christ, not everyone will be receptive to His gospel. Being a follower of Christ requires much endurance, and there is no lack thereof, for God calls, equips, strengthens and sustains His church, by the power of the Holy Spirit. (See Matthew Chapter 10 about discipleship and its cost.)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6; see also Ephesians Chapter 2)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (John 15:16)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12; see also Matthew 5:14-16)

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God alone who is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17; see also Acts 9:1-31)

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. (Psalm 78:70-71; see also 1 Samuel 16:1-13)

I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, "Go, prophesy to My people Israel." (Amos 7:14-15)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5; see also Jeremiah 18:1-6)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Let It Rain!

"Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone." (Zechariah 10:1)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Acts 2:17-21)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

God's Word Shall Not Return to Him Void

Christmas Blessings: A Savior Who Is Christ The Lord

All glory, honor, praise and thanks to God, for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and King! That which was promised, has been fulfilled.

Christ was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, the betrothed wife of Joseph of the house and lineage of David. 

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:7-14)

Rejoice in His unfailing love; proclaim the good news of His salvation, from day to day. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

The Lord who ascended on high, to the right hand of God, is transforming our lives from glory to glory, by His Spirit. He shall come again, to receive His church to Himself, and we shall see Him face to face.

The Lord be magnified, the Lord be glorified, the Lord be exalted, in heaven above and the earth beneath. Amen.

A Merry Christmas to you and yours;
abide in His love!

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Christmas Greetings & Blessings

May your hearts overflow with hope, peace and joy, as you celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, today and forever. King of kings, and Lord of lords, Hallelujah!

Bible Reading: Luke 2:7-14

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger." 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Kingdom Work: The Ministry of Reconciliation

In His vineyard and His garden, God is fulfilling His purpose for a reconciled world to Himself. He works in and through His church, to spread the gospel of His saving grace, through Jesus Christ. 

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37 & 38)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Anointed Christ and His Church

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Jesus Christ, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. God has also anointed His church with the same anointing, to testify of His saving grace, proclaiming His gospel to the ends of the earth, with signs and wonders following.

To Him be glory now and forever. Amen.

See Also:

Fruit of the Spirit in a Yielded Vessel
https://www.awalkinthegarden.com/2018/08/fruit-of-spirit-in-yielded-vessel.html

A Living Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Cont'd...

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

(1 Peter:3-9)

Related Bible Reading: Romans Chapter 8 in its entirety

God's Righteous Judgments Are In All The Earth, His Salvation To The Ends Thereof

God who in times past, commanded that His people walk in His statutes, keep His judgments and do them (recounted in Ezekiel Chapter 20), is the same God today. He changeth not. As it was then and is now, our faithful Creator desires to have a people who put their trust in Him and walk in His ways. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)

There was not much rejoicing, as the people of God sojourned in the wilderness some forty years, but rather much complaining, and a desire to return to the land of their captivity. Many forsook the Lord for idols, the work of their hands, and they and their descendants did likewise in the land of promise. Yet, our God who is slow to anger and abounding in mercy, extended His grace, and sent His prophets to deliver His word, with the expectation that a rebellious people would acknowledge the error of their ways, repent and turn back to God, for their own good.   

There is not an arm like the Lord's, Creator of heaven and earth. He is mighty to save. Relying on a mighty army will not deliver any. "For the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is from the Lord." (Proverbs 21:31; see also Ezekiel 17:15.)

God's righteous judgments are in all the earth; His salvation to the ends thereof.

Thus says the Lord God: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell."

 "And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it." (Ezekiel 17:22-24)

A Prayer: 

Thank You blessed Shepherd and Savior, for Your cleansing fountain. For the power to live a holy life. For taking away the stony heart and giving us a new heart and a new spirit within. For putting Your Holy Spirit within us, and causing us to walk in Your statues, to keep Your judgments and do them. To You alone wise God, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and forevermore. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Today's Devotion: Rain From Heaven, Salvation in the Earth

Wednesday Greetings,

The Lord has commanded His salvation in the earth:

"Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it." 

Seeing there was no justice, no righteous man or intercessor—His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness, it sustained Him. Praise God!

Scripture References: Isaiah 45:8 & Isaiah 59:14-16

In His Love,

A Walk In The Garden 

Hope & Encouragement for Life's Journey

Saved By Grace

Thanks be to God for His amazing grace! He gave us a Deliverer to save us from our sins and the penalty thereof, through the sacrificial offering of His Son as the perfect Lamb of God. How deep and wide is His love for humanity, whom He created in His image and likeness. Such love cannot be measured; it's boundless and free. If you don't know Him, His arms are open wide. Come as you are.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen.

Related Bible Reading: John 3:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:4-10

 

1. Find Bible verses about love   2. Faith Is The Victory Devotion

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An Anchor and Safe Haven of Rest

Praise Jesus, the anchor of our souls and our safe haven of rest! "Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure." - Isaiah 33:6

Related Bible Reading:
Isaiah 26:3 & 4; Philippians 4:6 & 7; Psalm 107:29 & 30; Romans 8:35-39

A Prayer:
Thank You Lord for being an anchor in the midst of
life's storms. At Your rebuke, the winds obey and
there is a great calm. You lead us to our safe haven,
even the shelter of Your wings. Praise Your holy name!
Amen.

Knowing Who We Are, And Whose We Are

Bible Words of Comfort

Verses to uplift the heart and soul...

Peaceful Serenity: Peace From God, Peace With God

It is possible to have peace in a world of constant strife and conflicts that arise both inward and outward...

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord

Faith is the Victory

When our trust is in the Lord, we don't have to fear... there are victory signs everywhere.

The Secret Place of the Most High

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust." (Psalm 91:1 & 2)

  

God's Love, God is Love

Thanks be to God who has lavished His love on us through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. His beautiful name is music in my ears and heart!

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love." God is love. Whosoever will may come to Jesus and experience the joy of His salvation.

Devotion: Bloom Where You Are Planted

Good morning and Happy Thursday, Faith Community! Bloom where you are planted...the Lord be glorified!

Related Bible Reading: Isaiah 61; Ephesians 2

A Prayer:

Thank You gracious God for saving our souls and giving us new life; for drawing us with Your love and mercy; for liberating us from the powers of darkness; for forgiveness, healing and restoration; for Your Holy Spirit who is our Comforter; for Your joy unspeakable; for the garment of praise; for Your righteousness in Christ Jesus; for all that You are doing in our lives, so that we may bring glory to Your name. 

Be glorified forever. Amen!

Everyday Prayers Online

Today's Devotion: Jesus, Only Savior

Thanks be to God for sending His only begotten Son into the world to save sinners. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is He, and He has gone to prepare a place for His children, so that where He is, there we may be also. Thomas said to Jesus, "Lord we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14:9) Jesus also declared in John 10:9, "I am the door. If any man enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

Praise Jesus, the image of the invisible God, our Great Shepherd of the sheep; full of grace and truth; the Word made flesh.

From a song of Moses:

"Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." (Deuteronomy 32:1-4)

There is salvation in no other name or means of entering the kingdom of God. "And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him, and His righteousness, it sustained Him." (Isaiah 59:16)

Adopted by God, He has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying "Abba, Father!" (Galatians 4:6) The Holy Spirit of truth teaches us and gives us spiritual understanding—We are the holy temple of God and if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we grow in grace and are fruitful in the knowledge of Him, having become partakers of the divine nature and recipients of exceeding great and precious promises, in this life and the age to come.

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make our abode with him." (John 14:23) "God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11 & 12)

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." (John 17:3)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

What a Loving Savior!

Praise the Lord who has redeemed His people and brought us to His banqueting table. When He enters our lives, He restores our broken walls and gates. He fills our hearts with much joy and gladness. Oh, how His heart rejoices... oh, how He loves His own.

Hear the Word of God by the prophet Zephaniah: "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

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Bible Verses About Love

What a Faithful Savior and King!

Knowing Who We Are and Whose We Are

Praise God who knew us before we were born and have chosen us to be the praise of the glory of His grace. What a high calling! He has made us alive who were dead in trespasses and sins, and raised us up together and made us sit together, both Jew and Gentile, in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Bible Reading: Ephesians Chapter 1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth— in Him. 

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

(See also Ephesians Chapter 2 through Chapter 6.)

More Than a Conqueror, Possessing the Promises of God Whose Possession We Are

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter:1-9)

After many great conquests by God's people led by Moses and Joshua (conquering entire lands and dispossessing mighty kings, and giving their lands as an inheritance to the children of God,) the Lord still had this to say to Joshua in his old age: "You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed." (Joshua 13:1)

Caleb was forty years old when Moses (at the commandment of God) sent him and eleven others to spy out the land of Canaan. It was a good and fruitful land; the cities were fortified and very large, and giants (descendants of Anak) were there. Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30) The men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." (Numbers 13:31). They considered themselves grasshoppers in their own sight and in the sight of the giants. (Numbers 13:32 & 33)

Caleb at the age of eighty five and still strong, reminded Joshua of the promise Moses made to him concerning an inheritance he was to receive for wholly following the Lord. And so, Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb as an inheritance. (Joshua 14:6-15)

Arise faith and prayer warriors! Experience the power of God and the joy of His salvation from day to day. Take possession of all that Christ has wrought for us. He has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises. (2 Peter 1:3 & 4)

We have an eternal inheritance. Having believed the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13 & 14)

Amen.

The Sin-Bearing Messiah

Jesus, God's sacrificial Lamb without blemish, died for our sins, to reconcile us back to God. Thank You Lord for Your mercy and grace!

Whosoever will may come; believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Oh, how He loves you and me!

Related Bible Readings: John 3:16-21; Luke, Chapter 23; Colossians 1:20-23

Bible Verses About Love

Inspirational Thoughts: A Well-Watered Garden

A Bible Reading:

"Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord—for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 31:10-14)

Bless God, who has redeemed us out of every nation and liberated us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Amen.