July 25, 2022

Ephesians 1:1-14 (HCSB)
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Rich Blessings 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. 4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. 7 We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him 10 for the administration of the days of fulfillment —to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. 11 We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory. 13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

Brandi Ubelhor
When life gets complicated, it is easy to highlight all the things one does not have and often almost impossible to see the little blessings all around us. As I read Ephesians 1:1-14, I can’t help but to listen as if Paul was writing directly to me, reminding me of the many blessings God has promised us all as His followers. As a believer in Christ, it is a joyous occasion to read about the seal of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly hope that joins. Isn’t it an amazing feeling to know that God has created a plan for you that involves more blessings than you could ever imagine, including a life with Him forever?!? As I think about all God has blessed me with in my life, the hymn “Count Your Many Blessings” begins to play a sweet melody. Today I challenge you, can you write your many BLESSINGS, can you name them one by one? (below, write a blessing that starts with each letter)
B - _________________________________________________________
L - _________________________________________________________
E - _________________________________________________________
S - _________________________________________________________
S - _________________________________________________________
I - __________________________________________________________
N - _________________________________________________________
G - _________________________________________________________
S - _________________________________________________________

HOW CAN I APPLY IT?