Day 480: Ephesians 1- Intimacy With God Through Christ

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.
 
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
 
Meditation
God wants you to see the richness of Heavenly blessings offered through intimate relationship with Jesus. Meditating on God’s immeasurable grace grows gratefulness to God and generosity towards others, more fruitfully living for God’s glory.
 
These promises of God are provided through Union with Christ: In and through Jesus Christ you:
            -Have every spiritual blessing from heaven (3)
            - Were chosen before the foundation of the world (4)
            - Are blameless (4)
            - Are adopted as children of God (5)
            -Are blessed and beloved (6)
            -Aare redeemed with His blood & have forgiveness & grace (7)
            -Know the mystery of God’s will (9)
            -See all things will be united in Christ (10)
            -Find our Divine inheritance (11)
            -HOPE, for the praise of God’s glory (12)
            -Know the gospel and are sealed by the Holy Spirit (13).
 
This glorious litany of God’s great grace through Christ is within a Trinitarian doxology, praising God the Father (3-6), Son (7-12), and Holy Spirit (13-14) for God’s amazing love.
 
Meditation on the eternal grace and love of God is accompanied by gratitude and generosity, evidenced by Paul who offers thanksgiving (15-22) and generous prayer for God’s Spirit to reveal the richness of God’s great love and grace.
 
I join Paul in praying for you, that through union with Christ “the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of the glorious inheritance of the saints” (18). Amen.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Meditate on the heavenly blessings that are yours in Christ. Which stand out to you? Why?
 
-Discover the desire for Divine intimacy as the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are revealed. How does God’s amazing love impact you?
 
-God’s grace leads to gratitude and generosity demonstrated in Paul’s prayer. How can you participate in gratefulness and generosity through prayer and practical steps in loving the Church?
 
Key Verse
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,