God has graciously spoken to us; let's speak well of God's grace.
Verse of the Day, May 4, 2022
Ephesians 1:4-5 CSB "For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. [5] He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
Paul uses three forms of "blessed" in Epeshians 1:3. As an adjective, "blessed" means to "speak well of" because God is worthy of praise. As a verb, "blessed" explains why God deserves credit. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" means to speak well of God because He "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). As a noun, "blessing" describes the verbal act of God that provides a significant benefit to us who are united with Christ Jesus by grace through faith (Louw Nida; 2:3; 2:8–10).
Our spiritual prosperity results from God's supernatural verbal act of speaking well of us before we existed. Our English translations' punctuation often hides the purpose of Paul's statement. Verse 3–14 consists of three sentences. Each sentence concludes that God blesses us so we can praise the glory of His grace (1:6, 12, 14).
Dear gracious Heavenly Father, I praise You for graciously uniting me with Christ Jesus. I count my spiritual blessings this morning (1:3). My God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love (1:4); predestined and adopted us as Your sons and daughters through Jesus Christ; at the pleasure of your intention (1:5) You freely speak well of us in the Beloved [Son of God], so we can praise the glory of Your grace.
Lord, we have redemption and forgiveness through the blood of Christ Jesus; according to the riches of God's grace, we have obtained an inheritance and have received hope; According to the Your kind intention, I will praise the glory of Your grace (1:7–12).
Lord, with the promise of the Holy Spirit, we received, heard, and believed the gospel truth; you sealed our salvation in Christ, giving us the security of the Holy Spirit's presence, living with the reality of our redemption, I know my God owns me to the praise of the glory of Your grace (1:13–14). Thank You, Lord, for the promise of the Holy Spirit's sealing. I know I am saved because the Holy Spirit let me see all the ways I am blessed this morning.
Lord, I will tell of the glory of Your grace today. I have been chosen, predestined, forgiven, given an inheritance and hope, sealed, and secured. In Christ, I am drinking from my saucer cause my cup overflows. God speaks; I am blessed. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.
Daily Devotion
God has graciously spoken to us; let's speak well of God's grace.
Verse of the Day, May 4, 2022
Ephesians 1:4-5 CSB "For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. [5] He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
Paul uses three forms of "blessed" in Epeshians 1:3. As an adjective, "blessed" means to "speak well of" because God is worthy of praise. As a verb, "blessed" explains why God deserves credit. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" means to speak well of God because He "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). As a noun, "blessing" describes the verbal act of God that provides a significant benefit to us who are united with Christ Jesus by grace through faith (Louw Nida; 2:3; 2:8–10).
Our spiritual prosperity results from God's supernatural verbal act of speaking well of us before we existed. Our English translations' punctuation often hides the purpose of Paul's statement. Verse 3–14 consists of three sentences. Each sentence concludes that God blesses us so we can praise the glory of His grace (1:6, 12, 14).
Dear gracious Heavenly Father, I praise You for graciously uniting me with Christ Jesus. I count my spiritual blessings this morning (1:3). My God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love (1:4); predestined and adopted us as Your sons and daughters through Jesus Christ; at the pleasure of your intention (1:5) You freely speak well of us in the Beloved [Son of God], so we can praise the glory of Your grace.
Lord, we have redemption and forgiveness through the blood of Christ Jesus; according to the riches of God's grace, we have obtained an inheritance and have received hope; According to the Your kind intention, I will praise the glory of Your grace (1:7–12).
Lord, with the promise of the Holy Spirit, we received, heard, and believed the gospel truth; you sealed our salvation in Christ, giving us the security of the Holy Spirit's presence, living with the reality of our redemption, I know my God owns me to the praise of the glory of Your grace (1:13–14). Thank You, Lord, for the promise of the Holy Spirit's sealing. I know I am saved because the Holy Spirit let me see all the ways I am blessed this morning.
Lord, I will tell of the glory of Your grace today. I have been chosen, predestined, forgiven, given an inheritance and hope, sealed, and secured. In Christ, I am drinking from my saucer cause my cup overflows. God speaks; I am blessed. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.