Ephesians 1 tells us of wonderful gifts that God has given to those he has chosen. I think we sometimes become selfish as a result of these gifts. The point of the gifts is to point back to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to use the gifts You have given to point others to You. May You be honored because of Your glorious grace.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
The first blessing we see in Ephesians 1 is that of being chosen for adoption. Looking at the culture in Israel during Bible times adoption is a great honor. The first-born son would inherit everything. God adopts us as first-born sons. I’m not sure how well it translates into the American culture that I know so well. In Bible culture this was a very high honor. I want to allow that concept to warm my heart living in what is often a cold, dark (sin-cursed) world.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me to be an adopted child. Thank You for the beauty of Your love. Please help me to share this with those who know You chose them as well as those who have not learned of this wonderful gift.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Hello Friends, welcome to 2023 (tomorrow). Each year I pick a theme for my blog. 2022 was wisdom/fear of God. I spent much of the year in Proverbs. For 2023 I want to focus on a Biblical self-image. We live in a society that has an “it’s all about me” attitude. We have added pressure on ourselves to measure up to an impossible and very selfish standard. The Bible is the only place for us to gain freedom from this prison.
Most of my audience are people who claim a relationship with God based on the gospel (good news) of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. We need to make sure our life focus is based in the Bible. I hope to help with that in my weekly posts.
Dear Heavenly Father, please guide me to share the truth of who we are in Christ. Please let my words direct people to You. Thank You for all You will do in the coming year.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
This verse talks about a woman named Anna who served in the temple. When she heard that Jesus (the Messiah) was born, she started giving thanks and telling people about Jesus. She is a good example for us all year round, but we tend to only talk about her with the Christmas story. I hope to think about her example in the coming year.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Anna. Please help me to give thanks and tell others of the redemption that came with Jesus.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Merry Christmas Eve!
The story of Christmas is one that brings great joy. I fear that we are more stuck on short term happiness than long term joy. The truth of Christmas starts with the fact that we are sinners and need a Savior. Jesus came to be born as a baby and then grew to be a man who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. I believe most of my readers know this and have placed their trust in Jesus to save them from their sins. This should bring us joy. However, the sin nature is still active and brings struggle.
Despite the difficulties of life, the Christmas story should bring us back to joy. Joy for the ultimate gift that Jesus’ birth brought.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus. Thank You that we can have joy through trusting Your Son. Please help us to put our own selfishness aside and bring us back to the joy that You provide.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Shepherds were not considered the elite of society. However, God chose to share the good news of Jesus’ birth with them. Luke 2:20 tells us of the shepherds rejoicing and giving glory to God. They are a good example for us.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus’ to a humble birth. Thank You for the example of the shepherds giving You glory. You deserve all the honor and glory.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
The Bible gives many verses of praise to God. I appreciate the ones in the Christmas story. When Jesus was born as a human baby, there was much joy. In Luke 2:14, we hear what the angels said in praise to God.
The Bible tells us that if we do not praise God, even the “stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). However, in this case God sent angels. I want to include my voice with the angels.
Glory to God!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of the angels praising You. I want to praise and thank You for Who You are and all You have done. Glory!
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
I found Colossians 3:15-17 interesting as I was looking for verses about thankfulness – three verses in a row with a form of the word thankful. The word in verses 15 and 17 is the word for gratitude. Thankfulness in verse 16 is the word charis – grace. I think gratitude is graceful. A heart attitude of thankfulness will show outwardly as grace.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings you send. Please help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude and show grace in my life.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 