November 30, 2018 – Ephesians 1:2-3

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:2-3.

Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us grace and peace through the sacrifice of His blood on the cross.  “Grace is love that  cares, stoops, and rescues.” Quote from John Stott.  Peace comes from being forgiven, a true act of Grace.  Where does every spiritual blessing come from?  

 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.  Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”  John 14:27-28.

When we praise God, we desire to live holy lives, as part of His Family.  We delight in the Treasures of Grace God gives us through Jesus Christ. We do not fear when troubles come, for He holds our hand.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will never fall,  for the Lord holds them by the hand.  Psalm 37:23-24. 

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. Ephesians 1:4-6.