In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
When we think of creation, we usually think of God the Father. But the eternal Word, God the Son, already was in the beginning. He was with God and He is God. All things were created by Him, and nothing was made apart from Him!
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God, I thank You for creating me and all things. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
…In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22
As believers in Christ Jesus, trusting in His atoning sacrifice and being baptized in His name, we are a part of Christ’s Church and are built together with all other true believers to be a holy temple in which the LORD God dwells through His Spirit.
Grant, O Lord, that I remember, as one who trusts in Christ Jesus and His cross, that I am Your temple and that You dwell in me by Your Spirit. Keep me in the true faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone …” Ephesians 2:19-20
Those who have faith in Jesus Christ are no longer separated from God’s people but are fellow citizens with all the saints and are a part of Christ’s Church, the household of God. Their faith rests upon the foundation of God’s Word, the teaching of the apostles and prophets; and the teaching of salvation through faith alone in Jesus Christ and His cross is the central truth upon which their faith is built.
Thank You, O gracious God, for bringing me to know and trust in Christ Jesus, my Savior, that I might be a part of Your people and Church. Preserve in this true and saving faith unto Life everlasting. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18
In the Gospel, Christ Jesus promises forgiveness, pardon, and peace to all who despair of their own righteousness under the Law and look in faith to Him — to His holy life and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. This peace is preached to both Jew and Gentile because it is through Spirit-wrought faith in Christ that both have access to God the Father.
Grant to me, O Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Gospel, the peace of sins forgiven through faith in Christ Jesus and His blood, shed upon the cross for the sins of the world. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby …” Ephesians 2:14-16
Jesus Christ, by His holy life and innocent sufferings and death on the cross, has made full atonement for the sins of all, having fulfilled the demands of God’s Law and paid the just penalty for all our sins, that both Jew and Gentile might look to Christ in faith and be reconciled unto God the Father. Through faith in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile have peace with God and are one in Christ!
O Christ, You have by Your atoning sacrifice won for us forgiveness of sins and peace with God. Grant that we look to You in faith and so be reconciled unto God through Your innocent sufferings and death in our stead. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]