“… Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him …” Ephesians 1:9-10
Through the preaching of the Gospel, God makes known to us the mystery of His will, His divine plan to save us from eternal death and damnation by sending His only-begotten Son to die for us and atone for our sins and then rise again so that we might trust in Him, be pardoned, and be gathered together in Christ’s Church and receive everlasting life — all for Jesus’ sake and through faith in Him!
Grant that I hear and believe Your saving Word, O God, and trust in Christ Jesus, my Savior. In His name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
“… having predestinated us to the adoption of children to himself by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; in which he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence …” Ephesians 1:5-8
Believers praise and glorify God for graciously choosing them to be His children through faith in Jesus Christ. By His death and resurrection, Christ has provided forgiveness and acceptance before God — a gift of grace shared with us through the Gospel and received by Spirit-wrought faith in Christ Jesus as our Savior.
We thank You, dear Father, for choosing us to be Your children and bringing us to trust in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins through the preaching of the Gospel. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
“And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:31
The rich man, from the torments of hell, begged Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers to repent, thinking they would surely be persuaded to repent if one rose from the dead. Abraham told him, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” The same remains true today. If people neglect to hear and heed the message of the Bible, they will not repent of their sins and trust in Christ Jesus for pardon and forgiveness, even if they see mighty works or attend services with dynamic worship and speakers.
Grant that I hear and heed Your Word, O Lord, and repent of my evil ways, looking to Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for pardon and forgiveness, and then walk according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
In the gift of the Christ Child, born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem, God fulfilled His promises of old to send the Seed of the woman, the offspring of Abraham and David, the eternal Son of God in human flesh, to keep God’s commandments without sin in our stead and then to suffer on the cross the just punishment for our sins and the sins of the entire world so that we might look to Him in faith and be pardoned, forgiven, accepted by God, adopted as His own dear children, and inherit the eternal joys of heaven.
Dear Lord Jesus, eternal Son of God born into this world the Son of man, grant that I trust in You and Your cross for pardon, forgiveness, sonship, and a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1833 Webster Version of the Bible.]
*Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love …” Ephesians 1:3-4
This passage praises God for lovingly bestowing every spiritual blessing upon believers through Christ and His cross. It tell us that God graciously chose his people before the creation of the world with the specific purpose of making them holy and blameless in His sight through faith in Christ Jesus.
We praise You, dear Heavenly Father, for graciously choosing us to be Your own and making us acceptable in Your sight through faith in Christ Jesus, Your Son and our Savior. Amen
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
