"God’s ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ (1 John 3:2). As we become more and more like him, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be. How can we be conformed to his image? By reading and heeding his Word, by studying his life on earth through the Gospels, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world....If you have believed in him, you can rejoice in the fact that God has always known you. His love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect you until you one day stand in his presence." - Life Application Bible, p. 1978.

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not 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 unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." Eph. 1:1-17.

"God’s purpose is to offer salvation to the world just as he planned to do long ago. God is sovereign; he is in charge. When your life seems chaotic, rest in this truth: Jesus is Lord, and God is in control. His purpose to save you cannot be thwarted, no matter what evil Satan may bring. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal that we belong to him and his guarantee to us that he will do what he has promised. He is like a down payment, a deposit, a validating signature on the contract. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us demonstrated the genuineness of our faith, proves that we are his children, and secures eternal life for us. His power works in us transforming us now, and is a taste of the total change we will experience in eternity." - Life Application Bible, p. 2069.

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