Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Ephesians 1:1-14 (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
How does knowing that you are adopted change your view of yourself and God?
This past week, I have been looking at mainly what I don’t have, what I can’t do and what I am afraid of. Today I just want to thank and praise You for what You have done for me. While I may not have every material blessing, freedom, or answer to prayer that I want, You have blessed me with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Lord thank you for choosing me to be Your own and adopting me as Your child. I believe that as Your child, my eternal inheritance is in You. I am redeemed, forgiven and set free through Your sacrifice on that cross. You have given me Your Holy Spirit to live inside of me to provide me a direct line to You when I call out to You in prayer, to hear Your voice when I read or hear Your Word, to guide me to act according to Your will, and to give me confidence and contentment in my soul that You are in control. Lord, I don’t know what You will do with this virus, or anything else in this life, but I do know, like a good father, that You have my best interest in mind and will respond with wisdom and understanding. You were not surprised by this and You are working it into Your good and perfect plan. I look forward to when You bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Until that day I put my hope and trust in You as my loving father. I praise and thank You, Lord, for blessing me, loving me as Your child and never leaving me or forsaking me even during a global pandemic. Amen