Verse of the Day - Colossians 1:12

...joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
~ Colossians 1:12 (NIV)

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Normally, when we qualify for something, it is our doing, our effort. We work hard in school and get a degree or certification, and then we apply for a job, because we've earned the qualifications for that job. Or we train hard for a particular sport, and then try out for a team or participate in a "qualifying" event to see if you've gained a fast enough time or enough skills to advance in your sport. But the qualifying is all about what you do to earn it.

But God's Word says that He qualifies us for His kingdom. He's the one who gives us what we need to be a part of His everlasting place of righteousness and rest. And what is it that He gives us...?

~ His blood for our penalty
~ His grace for our sin
~ His love for our souls

When we choose to accept what Jesus offers us in the way of being Savior and Lord of our lives, He qualifies us for living in His Kingdom. We "get the job" and are "on the team", so to speak. Not because of anything worthy of boasting that we have done; it is His hand that gives us what we need to be qualified.

And so, Paul says our response to that should be to joyfully give thanks to God, because He did for us what we could never do for ourselves, AND it's the best thing that could EVER happen to us! Better than earning a six-figure job in Corporate America! Better than being on a stellar Olympic team! We get the pleasure of being on God's team, of working for the God of the Universe -- right now, and forever.

I hope that today you can take great joy in knowing this, and remember to thank God for qualifying you for the opportunity of a lifetime!

Love,
Joelene