Encouraging Words

I woke up to a gray, hazy day preparing to attend the funeral of a lifelong friend. I wasn’t sorrowing as those who have no hope. I know my friend is with our Savior. But still, her passing is the turning of another page in this life, the ending of an era, and my heart is grieved.

My morning reading came from the book of Ephesians, a familiar and well-loved book. In that book, God, being who He is, had a wonderful message for me.

In the first seven verses, I found these encouraging words:

• God sends His grace and peace to me, personally (verse 2).

Think about that. God, the Creator of the Universe sends me (and you) His grace and His peace.

• God has blessed me (past tense) with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

I already have access to all of the spiritual blessings available in Christ Jesus (verse 3). I am richly blessed. That is mind boggling when I stop to consider it. How little I use what God has given to me.

• God chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world. He decided then and there that I would be without blame before Him in love, because He determined to adopt me by Christ Jesus (verses 4, 5).

I am chosen. I am adopted. I am without blame in Christ Jesus.

• He has made me accepted in His beloved (verse 6).

Accepted is such a beautiful word. I remember when I discovered this verse as an awkward teenager. How wonderful to be accepted!

• He has redeemed me through His blood and forgiven me according to the riches of His grace (verse 7).

Redeemed and forgiven! What a priceless gift!

This isn’t a long theological study, even though we could spend days on these verses, but think about the encouraging words God gives here.

• Grace

• Peace

• Spiritual blessings

• Chosen

• Adopted

• Without blame

• Accepted

• Redemption

• Forgiveness

Before I got halfway through the first chapter of Ephesians, my gray day was gray no longer. I was rejoicing in the overwhelming love and provision of our gracious Savior.

As I finished my morning reading, I thanked God for the testimony that my friend left behind and for His tremendous faithfulness in her life and in my life.

I pray that my life will reflect all that Christ purchased on the cross. And I pray that you will know the priceless treasure that belief in Christ holds for you.

Won’t you trust Him today?

In whom (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; (Ephesians 1:7, KJV).

Photo – Maine Morning, Beth Mims