“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.
“… so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints …” Ephesians 1:17-18
The Apostle Paul prayed that God the Father would enlighten the eyes of the Ephesian believers so that they would know God’s love and understand the hope of God’s calling and the rich inheritance awaiting them in heaven for the sake of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world.
Open my eyes, O God, so that I might know You and begin to grasp the riches awaiting me in heaven because Jesus shed His holy and precious blood on the cross for my sins, and You have graciously brought me to trust in Him. Amen.
“Therefore I also, after hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, mentioning you in my prayers …” Ephesians 1:15-16
Do you thank God for bringing others to faith in Jesus? St. Paul continually thanked God for graciously bringing the Ephesian believers to faith in Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit through the gospel. It is a mighty miracle of God when He sends forth His Word and the Holy Spirit and then raises the spiritually dead to spiritual life by bringing them to see and repent of their sinful ways and look to Christ and His cross for mercy and forgiveness!
Thank You, Lord, for raising me from death to life through hearing Your Word, and thank You for working mightily through the preaching of the gospel to grant faith and life to all my fellow believers. Amen.
