Daily Reading: Ephesians 1
Scripture Focus: Hechose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. (Ephesians 1.3-4)
Devotional Thought: A few days ago, I said goodbye to my children and grandchildren after a wonderful holiday time together. I am thankful to God for the love and life we share as a family. Forty-five years ago, Lana and I could not have predicted where we would be today. We did not know that we would retire to Johns Island. We did not know that we would have ten grandchildren or that our hearts would be so satisfied with this love. We did not know the choices our children were to make that would lead them to Memphis, to Charleston, to Detroit. We did not choose where they would live or even how they would live. We left those choices to them. But, one thing we did choose: that our family would be built on love. Has it been perfect? Far from it. But, have we done our best to live “blameless in love?” Yes.
In the same manner, God has chosen us. It has always been his desire – before the foundation of the world – that we should be “holy and blameless before him in love.” He did not make the choices for us. He gave that privilege – and responsibility – to us.
As we raised our children, we gave them every human blessing in our home that we possibly could. God gives us every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. What are we doing with the blessings? What are we doing with the choices he allows us to make?
Are we living before him holy and blameless in love?
Prayer: "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." Amen! (Ephesians 1.3)
Psalm of the Day: 1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, 11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalms 147:1-11)
Comments