April 21, 2025

GOD’S STORY DECLARED FOR US

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

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. 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. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:3-8 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

What is your view of yourself? This is a powerful question because our self-view will drive our thoughts and behavior.

For example, if at some point in your past you internalized the message that you are unlovable, you might be prone to see rejection all around you. Or, if your story says you are only valuable when you are successful, then you might view life as a competition, swinging between emotional highs and lows based on your latest performance.

As we look at our passage from Ephesians, we discover what God says about us. Let’s examine Paul’s statements.

First, God has blessed us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” When we made the decision to be a follower of Jesus our Heavenly Father opened the windows of heaven to release spiritual blessings into our lives. We are blessed.

Secondly, God loves us and has chosen us to be “holy and without fault in His eyes.” When we confess and repent of our sins God declares we are holy and without fault. We are forgiven and free from the consequences and control of sin.

Thirdly, God has poured out “glorious grace” on us. His grace has purchased our freedom and forgiven our sins. 

Finally, we have received “all wisdom and understanding” because of God’s kindness to us. The Holy Spirit living in us has all the wisdom and understanding we need to be successful in life. We need to learn to listen to the Spirit.

Let’s change our story to match the story God has declared over us. Let’s accept who God says we are.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit help me to understand the view God has of me. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to live in the freedom and forgiveness of God’s grace. 

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”