Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 137 Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and 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 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Do you feel singled out for greatness? Or has your life felt the opposite as though you were doomed to the salt mines? Paul started his letter to the Ephesians by encouraging them and letting them know their position in Christ Jesus. He told them they had every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. God chose them before creation and set them apart to be holy and blameless in His love. It was His goodwill to adopt them according to His will and the praise and glory of His grace by which He accepted them. They had everything they could ever want and need once they trusted Jesus and the truth of the gospel of their salvation and were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, their guarantee of their inheritance. As Christians, you have the same guarantee. Your inheritance is ensured in the Holy Spirit. You have every blessing in spiritual places in Christ Jesus. Everything Paul told the Ephesians is yours. God singled you out for greatness at the foundation of the world and set you on the path of salvation. Whether it took you a few years or many, God led you to the cross, sanctified you through the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, and sealed you with the Holy Spirit. You are His, and He is yours. What has your life been like up to now? Is it drudgery and pain? Do you feel left behind to work in the salt mines of life? Do you know your position in Jesus Christ but never claimed it? Or have you never read about your position in Christ because you haven’t opened your Bible to read about your inheritance in Jesus Christ since you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord? Too many Christians once they accept Jesus as Savior and Lord go through the motions of salvation. They don’t see a change from their life before salvation and their life after salvation because they don’t open their Bibles. They don’t pray. They do nothing different from what they did before they accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord except claim they are Christians. They are Christians in name only but not in fact. Christians who open their Bibles, pray, seek His face, humble themselves before the mighty name of Jesus, know their position in Christ Jesus. They lay claim to all the benefits of their inheritance as a son and daughter of God. God gave them the key to His kingdom. Just as you have the key to your home and can come and go as you please, God gave you the keys to everything in His kingdom. What are the keys to His kingdom? David listed all the benefits you have in God. They are your keys to the kingdom. Psalm 103:1 (A Psalm of David.) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, 18 to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19 The LORD established His throne in heaven, His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! It’s all yours. Every blessing, every benefit belongs to you because you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. Your place isn’t in the salt mines. Your place is assured in God’s kingdom. Take hold of your salvation. Open your Bible, read, study, pray, and watch your life change from hardship to joy as you accept God’s blessings on your life and bless God who gives them to you. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for setting me apart for You at creation. Thank you for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Thank you for Your love that never fails. Thank you for my salvation. Help me see what I have in You as I read and study Your Word. Help me live in Your promises every day of my life until I see You face to face. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 30 November 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.