“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Ephesians 2:1-3
We who now believe were once spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins. We walked according to the ways of this sinful world. We followed the counsel of the devil and his evil angels. We fulfilled the sinful longings of our flesh. And, along with multitudes of others, we were headed to eternal suffering in hell. But … by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through His Word, God awakened us and gave us life through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross for our sins!
Thank you, O gracious Father, for raising us up from spiritual darkness and death and granting us life through faith in Your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior! Amen.
“…And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
The same power of God that exalted the risen Christ Jesus to God’s right hand and placed all things under His authority is also at work in us, who are members of Christ’s body through faith in Him. In Christ, our head, who fills all in all, we are also given victory over all our enemies and are raised up to share with Him in the glories of His everlasting kingdom.
Open my eyes, O Lord, to Your Spirit’s mighty working in me through Your Word to give me faith in Christ my Savior and to make me a partaker of the glories of Christ’s everlasting kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
God’s love for the world, His love for each and every one of us, is demonstrated in this: He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die on the cross and bear the full punishment for our sins, with the desire and intent that we would repent of our sinful ways and place our faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross and not be condemned to the eternal fires of hell but receive God’s mercy, forgiveness, and life everlasting!
O gracious and loving God, grant me faith to trust in Christ Jesus for pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and was seen by Cephas, and then by the twelve. Then He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain to this present time, though some have passed away. …” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
Not only is Jesus’ crucifixion a well-documented historical fact, but His resurrection appearances were witnessed by many. If anyone in the first century questioned the bodily resurrection of Jesus, many living eyewitnesses to His resurrection appearances could testify that He did rise from the dead on the third day, as He said. And, because He died for our sins and then rose again, those who look to Him in faith can be assured of forgiveness for their sins and a resurrection to life everlasting.
O crucified and risen Savior, grant me faith to trust that You died for my sins and rose again on the third day that I might be pardoned, forgiven, and have the eternal joys of heaven through faith in Your name. Amen.
“… and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He performed in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21
Have you considered the greatness of God’s power at work in us who believe, raising us from spiritual darkness and death to spiritual life and preserving us in the true faith unto eternal life? It is the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to the right hand of God the Father in His heavenly kingdom, to a position far above all rule and authority, power and might, and every name that is named in both this age and the next.
Thank You, dear Father, for raising me up from spiritual death to life by bringing me to know and trust in Christ Jesus, my Savior. Open my eyes that I may see Your mighty power at work in me through Your Word to preserve me in the true faith and to raise me up unto life everlasting. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
