June 18

Ephesians 1:4 (NASB)

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

NLT:  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Proverbs 16:9

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

NLT:  We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

NLT:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Ephesians 1:13-14

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

NLT:  And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you.  And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.