“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” — Ephesians 1:4–5 (NKJV)
Jesus once told a story about a rebellious son who left home, wasted everything, and came crawling back just hoping to survive. But instead of punishment, the father ran to him. He hugged him, clothed him, and threw a party. Jesus wasn’t just telling a feel-good story—He was revealing the heart of the Father. God doesn’t just forgive the prodigal—He restores him as a son.
Paul makes it personal. He says you were chosen—not tolerated. Adopted—not hired. Long before you breathed your first breath, God planned to bring you into His family. This wasn’t a rescue mission out of pity. It was His pleasure. You didn’t earn His acceptance—you were wanted from the start.
Adoption is a legal declaration of belonging. When God adopted you through Christ, your past lost its power. Your old name was erased. A new identity was written over your life—son, daughter, heir. And the Father who chose you isn’t distant or cold—He delights in you. That changes everything.
But too many believers still live like orphans—unsure if they really belong, afraid they’ll be rejected, always trying to prove their worth. If that’s you, let this truth settle in your heart: You are not a stranger to God—you are family.
You don’t work to be accepted—you work from being accepted.
Today, receive the love that has already been extended to you. Let the Spirit of adoption cry out in your heart, “Abba (Daddy), Father.” You were chosen on purpose and adopted with joy. Stop striving for approval and start living as the deeply loved child of God you are.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Jesus once told a story about a rebellious son who left home, wasted everything, and came crawling back just hoping to survive. But instead of punishment, the father ran to him. He hugged him, clothed him, and threw a party. Jesus wasn’t just telling a feel-good story—He was revealing the heart of the Father. God doesn’t just forgive the prodigal—He restores him as a son.
Paul makes it personal. He says you were chosen—not tolerated. Adopted—not hired. Long before you breathed your first breath, God planned to bring you into His family. This wasn’t a rescue mission out of pity. It was His pleasure. You didn’t earn His acceptance—you were wanted from the start.
Adoption is a legal declaration of belonging. When God adopted you through Christ, your past lost its power. Your old name was erased. A new identity was written over your life—son, daughter, heir. And the Father who chose you isn’t distant or cold—He delights in you. That changes everything.
But too many believers still live like orphans—unsure if they really belong, afraid they’ll be rejected, always trying to prove their worth. If that’s you, let this truth settle in your heart: You are not a stranger to God—you are family.
You don’t work to be accepted—you work from being accepted.
Today, receive the love that has already been extended to you. Let the Spirit of adoption cry out in your heart, “Abba (Daddy), Father.” You were chosen on purpose and adopted with joy. Stop striving for approval and start living as the deeply loved child of God you are.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Posted in Identity
Pastor Kevin Casey
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Day 1: Knowing Jesus is Eternal LifeDay 2: That I May Know HimDay 3: The Supremacy of ChristDay 4: Christ the FoundationDay 5: Forgiven CompletelyDay 6: Forgive as You’ve Been ForgivenDay 7: A New CreationDay 8: Righteous by FaithDay 9: Adopted and ChosenDay 10: Accepted in the BelovedDay 11: Seated with ChristDay 12: God’s WorkmanshipDay 13: Nothing Can Separate YouDay 14: Christ in You, the Hope of GloryDay 15: The Mind of ChristDay 16: The Image of God RestoredDay 17: Grace That TeachesDay 18: The Measure of FaithDay 19: Faith Works by LoveDay 20: The Faith of the Son of GodDay 21: The Crucified LifeDay 22: Renew Your MindDay 23: Take Every Thought CaptiveDay 24: Think on These ThingsDay 25: Be Spiritually Minded
February
Day 26: Press Toward the GoalDay 27: Led by the SpiritDay 28: Walk in the SpiritDay 29: Spirit of Power, Love, and Sound MindDay 30: Empowered From On HighDay 31: Healing Is in the AtonementDay 32: Minister Healing to OthersDay 33: Pray in the SpiritDay 34: The Spirit Helps Our WeaknessDay 35: Be Filled ContinuouslyDay 36: Gifts of the SpiritDay 37: Spirit-Led MinistryDay 38: Fruit of the SpiritDay 39: The Spirit Bears WitnessDay 40: Walk Worthy of Your CallingDay 41: Love Is the GreatestDay 42: Unity of the SpiritDay 43: Forgive One AnotherDay 44: Serve in LoveDay 45: Bear One Another’s BurdensDay 46: Honor Others Above YourselfDay 47: Godly RelationshipsDay 48: Love in the HomeDay 49: Hospitality and GenerosityDay 50: Giving and GenerosityDay 51: Pray Without Ceasing Day 52: Seated with Christ in AuthorityDay 53: Reigning in Life Through Christ
March
Day 54: Put on the Armor — Stand in VictoryDay 55: Life Is a MissionDay 56: Ambassadors for ChristDay 57: Share Your StoryDay 58: Not Ashamed of the GospelDay 59: Make Disciples Who MultiplyDay 60: Redeem the TimeDay 61: Open Doors and Bold SpeechDay 62: Witness to, Honor, and Pray for IsraelDay 63: Suffer for the GospelDay 64: Strength in WeaknessDay 65: Don’t Lose HeartDay 66: Our Light and Momentary TroublesDay 67: Set Your Mind on EternityDay 68: Death, Grief, and Eternal HopeDay 69: The Judgment Seat of ChristDay 70: The Blessed Hope