Devotionals for August 22 , 2024
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READ
Ephesians 1:3-11
“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.
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”
“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.
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”
REFLECT
“…He purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son…”
Are you living in this freedom that He offers? His freedom is full and complete. It is not lacking. His freedom gives abundant joy to your steps and missteps. His freedom gives you permission to fail and get back up again. His freedom reminds you that you don’t have to be perfect because He was the perfect sacrifice for you. His freedom reminds you that you never have to be good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or rich enough. He is enough, so in Him you are enough. You don’t have to have it all together to share who He is with others. All you need to remember is that He is enough in you and with Him in you, you have everything you need!
Are you living in this freedom that He offers? His freedom is full and complete. It is not lacking. His freedom gives abundant joy to your steps and missteps. His freedom gives you permission to fail and get back up again. His freedom reminds you that you don’t have to be perfect because He was the perfect sacrifice for you. His freedom reminds you that you never have to be good enough, strong enough, smart enough, or rich enough. He is enough, so in Him you are enough. You don’t have to have it all together to share who He is with others. All you need to remember is that He is enough in you and with Him in you, you have everything you need!
APPLY
Q: Have you celebrated God’s good plan for your life lately?
Q: How can you embrace the fullness of freedom in Jesus this week?
Q: Who can you share your freedom story with this week?
Q: How can you embrace the fullness of freedom in Jesus this week?
Q: Who can you share your freedom story with this week?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, please forgive me for the times I have allowed myself to be enslaved by the enemy’s messages in my life. I pray that I will embrace your freedom and that every beat of my heart will be in sync with Your rhythm for my life.
Lord, please forgive me for the times I have allowed myself to be enslaved by the enemy’s messages in my life. I pray that I will embrace your freedom and that every beat of my heart will be in sync with Your rhythm for my life.