Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

This delicate lace-like flower has an unusual name and a legend that explains it. In the 1600’s Queen Anne II tatted beautiful white lace but one day, pricked her finger on the tatting needle. The resulting drop of blood represents the red center sometimes seen in the center of these flowers. This is one of several marks that distinguish this flower from its nefarious look-alike, the Poison Hemlock. Although it has the same lacy white flowers, if ingested the Poison Hemlock flower can kill!

Today’s verse teaches us that it is Christ’s blood that redeems and forgives. Without His blood, there is no other solution to the dilemma of our wrongdoing. (Heb. 9:22) It is His blood on the cross that makes us white as snow. (Is. 1:18) Satan tries to deceive by suggesting that we can be good enough on our own. But the payment of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) and Satan’s only desire is to devour and destroy. (I Peter 5:8)

The beautiful white lacy flowers of good works can be all show without a clean heart. The redeeming blood of Christ is the only way my good works can mean anything to Him. (Is. 64:6) The forgiveness He offers through His blood is never anything that I can deserve or earn. I could never be good enough. How rich and amazing His grace is to forgive and forget!

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful and costly forgiveness!