Together in Christ: 'Praise and Thanksgiving' — Ephesians 1:3-5

Monday, September 2, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
— Ephesians 1:3-5 NLT

Key Thought

God deserves our heartfelt praise. He accomplished salvation for us when we were sinners, helpless, and enemies toward Him because of our evil behavior. [1] However, God sent Jesus to redeem us from sin, death, and hell. In Jesus, we triumph over the powers of evil [2] and are cleansed by Jesus' sacrifice. [3] God lavishes his loving grace upon us, calls us His children, and ensures we will share in Jesus' coming glory. [4]

Dear brother or sister, let's rejoice in all God has done and is doing. He did not give His gifts of grace grudgingly. He "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly realms" through the sacrificial and redeeming work of Jesus because that "is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." God is delighted to bring you and me His great salvation because He loves us and wants us in His forever family. Our relationship with God gives us great assurance that no one and nothing can separate us from His love for us in Christ Jesus. [5] So, yes, we join Paul and say: "All praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us" with more than could ever ask, dream, imagine, hope, deserve, or earn!

[1] Romans 5:6-11.
[2] Colossians 2:12-15.
[3] Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:5-10, 2:1-2.
[4] 1 John 3:1-3.
[5] Romans 8:32-39.

Today's Prayer

We love and praise You, O God! You are our source of security and our assurance of a glorious future. We build every relationship we have based on Your goodness and grace. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Father, You deserve every thought, song, poem, psalm, and word of praise. You esteemed us when we had nothing to demand Your attention. You redeemed us when we were unlovable. You cleansed us when we were filthy with our sins. Dear God, our words are inadequate to offer You the praise You deserve, but we know that because of Your great love with which You love us, You take great pleasure in our heartfelt thanks and praise. We offer it to You through the intercession of the Spirit and the authority of the Son. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 2:1-10
  • Colossians 3:1-4

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Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 1:3-5 NLT — All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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