**Daily Devotional** **September 8** *3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, - 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV)* We need to all praise God every day for His abundant mercy, as well as His grace, longsuffering, patience, and most of all His love. God is love (1 John 4:8), and He certainly shows it everyday by His abundant blessings He pours out on those that love Him (Ephesians 1:3). We, and all His creation, were created by God for His pleasure (Revelations 4:11), and He wants to fellowship with us so much, that He sent Jesus to die for us, and bring us back into fellowship with Him (John 3:16). We need to keep in mind the fact that the reason for Jesus coming and dying for us, was not just to save us, but was because the Father desired to fellowship with His creation again. It is all about the Father, and not about us. Those of us who have been born again, have been given this lively hope of the future, as because Jesus was resurrected, we know that we also will be given a new body (1 Corinthians 15:44) that is incorruptible, and will be like Jesus. If we did not have this hope, and future to look forward to, then we would be most miserable in this life (1 Corinthians 15:19), but we do have the promise of a future that is absolutely glorious (Romans 8:18). Knowing that we have such a wonderful future, promised to us for eternity, makes being a Christian so very rewarding, as no matter what happens in this life, we have eternity with Jesus and the Father to look forward to as long as we remain saved – Wow, I can hardly wait! Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com