Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)
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.
No matter what happens in life, there is one thing that I can be certain of, that You have chosen me as Your heavenly child of God. I often struggle with my inability to measure up to who I want to be. I sometimes see myself for what I am not and focus only on my flaws and failures. It is not about my failures but Your strength. Help me to see me that You have taken hold of me and placed me securely “In Christ”. All of the blessings that the bible speaks about are mine “In Christ”. Help my self-image and identity be that as Your adopted child, and allow me to understand my value to you. I am a reconciled and pardoned believer, filled with peace and thankfulness due to the grace of Your salvation. Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Amen