"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" (Eph. 1:3, NIV).
Do we stop to realize how truly blessed we are? Do we spend wasteful time yearning for more of whatever we think we are lacking? I encourage you to take some time to look around at all the Lord has truly blessed you with. If you are struggling to see, please take the time to look into His word to see how spiritually blessed you are. Get your Bibles out and turn to Ephesians with me, let's look together: (Ephesians 1:3-23)
(Verse 4):
*He chose you in Christ (before the foundation of the earth).
*You are set apart for Him!
*You are blameless in His sight.
*He predestined and lovingly planned for you to be adopted to Himself as His own child through Jesus Christ. (v. 5)
*He has been gracious to you, and you are favored. (v.6)
(Verse 7):
*You have been redeemed, delivered, and saved through Christ's blood.
*You have forgiveness and complete pardon from your sin through the riches of His grace.
*He has made known to you the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ. (v.9)
(Verse 11):
*You have received an inheritance - a destiny claimed by God as His own.
*You were predestined, chosen, appointed beforehand according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement and design of His will.
*You have hope in Christ.
*You have the word of truth (good news of your salvation).
*You are stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit.
*You are owned and protected by God.
*You are God's own (purchased) possession. (v. 14)
(Verse18):
*He has called you to the riches of His glorious inheritance.
*He calls you a saint - one of God's people.
(Verse 19):
*His active, spiritual power is in you through Christ.
*You are filled and complete in all things as a believer.
*He fills and completes all things in all believers! (v. 23)
Wow! Ephesians is packed full of spiritual blessings for us to see, identify with, and be filled with awe and gratitude. We truly are blessed as children of God. I encourage you to be filled with the joy that God has bestowed upon you with all of the spiritual blessings. These blessings aren't temporary like the blessings we may see on a daily basis in this world. Earthly blessings can be taken away, but spiritual blessings cannot be taken away, for they are rooted in God's grace. Look upward and praise the Lord, for you are truly blessed as His own! Go today and share these blessings with others and be a blessing to our heavenly Father.
Father God, how do we begin to thank You for the spiritual blessings you so richly bestow upon us as Your children?! Father, forgive our groanings and complaining as we overlook how truly blessed we are as Your children. Your amazing love for us is immeasurable! We praise Your Name, Father as we say thank You for blessing us in Jesus' Name, Amen.
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