Faithful Steps: Daily Devotions for Believers

THURSDAY, 8 AUGUST 2024

TEXT: Ephesians 1:1-14

1. 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.

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 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 Christ

10. 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, to the praise of his glory.

(English Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE BLESSINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN

The Christian is blessed of the Lord in diverse ways. These blessings are not based on anything special we have done but because God chose to bless us even before we came into existence.

Paul stated that God chose to bless us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless. Which suggests that His blessings come with responsibilities on our part.

He wants us to live holy lives so that His blessings will be seen and celebrated by those we come into contact with.

These blessings are the forgiveness of our sins, wisdom and understanding and the revelation of Hid mystery, among others.

We must therefore understand the entire package that God has given us and work to ensure that we utilize all the items therein so that we do not miss His perfect plan for our lives.

QUESTION: Do you understand the extent of the blessings you have in Christ Jesus?

PRAYER: Help me to understand the fulness of Your blessings upon my life and cause me to represent You through the life You have called me to live, in Jesus name. Amen.