Author: astherainandsnow

“I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]
The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:1-21

“Bring your sacrifices every morning… offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Amos 4:4-5

The rhythm of David’s days was praise. To extol his God and King was like breathing: behold, praise; meditate, commend; observe, sing out; look, declare. His life was filled with blessing from God, and his days were filled with blessing his God- the One so supreme, powerful, splendid, and intricately involved in everything good. Indeed, His character and works were eminently worthy of ongoing praise.

To praise God every day through warp and woof and hours of existence is to praise Him forever. Who He is today He is always. How He deals with men is how He deals forever. God is faithful and does not change. His mercies never cease yet are new every morning. Daily He bears burdens and brings His plans to pass. His word is ever true and accomplishes its intent. (Psalm 68:19; Isaiah 14:24; 55:10-11; Lamentations 3:22-23; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

How will I establish new rhythms of praise? Could outlook be infused with expectant joy, gossip become a litany of commendation, complaint turn to gratitude, sloth to zealous stewardship?

Lord on high, captivate me with You and Your wondrous works, that my days be full of praise and You are honored forever.

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly… Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God… As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”Genesis 17:1-2,4-8,15-16

“In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it shall be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.'” Hosea 1:10b

Names in the Bible were given as identities. When changed, they reflected a new scape or broadened scope of life, and signified something left behind. God intended instruction and inspiration through His conference of names.

God has a knack for reorienting and renaming His children. His thoughts and ways are far above ours, and are generous, good, and redemptive. His Spirit intrudes our world as a permanent internal and external life-changer. Being named His own and bearing Christ’s name makes all the difference. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 8:15-17; 1 Peter 2:10; 1 John 3:1)

How might the Lord want to rename me? Self-focused to Christ-centered? Lazy to zealous? Impatient to patient? Ornery to gracious? Undisciplined to measured? Frenzied to peace-filled? Scattered to focused? Driven or impulsive to Spirit-led and self-controlled? Complainer to hope-filled? Dreading to expectant?

If I were to be renamed, what does the Lord want left behind? What deeply-entrenched attitudes prohibit spiritual or relational growth? What habits entangle forward or upward progress? What ‘I can’t help it’s or ‘it’s always been this way’ are holding me back from envisioning how things could be better, more constructive, more fruitful? What narrow parameters have I set by sloth, fear, or caution that the Lord would remove to expand my perspective for life and ministry?

“Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)

Father, name me and make me into Your person, who bears Your identity with wholeheartedness and for your glory.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh… 

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-11,16-18

Certainly Paul had scars. He’d been stoned and lashed, imprisoned and shipwrecked. His body bore scars from angry affliction at the hands of enemies of Christ. The Lord had ordained he’d suffer for His name, and that persecution left scars. (Acts 9:10-18; 27:27-44; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; Philippians 3:8-10)

But Paul counted them a privilege. They were not raw and painful but healed, smooth reminders of his Savior etched in skin and soul. And he loved his Savior. Jesus had rescued him from a wasted life and appointed him to meaningful apostleship, and his greatest honor was to bear the glory of His identity in serving Him.

Sometimes we suffer deep hurt, when we’re caught off guard and a past experience we’d not thought about in eons resurfaces to reopen a wound. Other times we are stung by ridicule or alienation for our faith, or doing the right thing. Is it always the enemy at hand, tempting us to lengthen our pity-list? Or is the Lord simply reminding us to ‘think on what is true. You may always have scars, but I bore that pain and healed that wound at the cross. These marks on My hands and feet are mercy and love reminders that I finished the work of suffering for you.’? (Philippians 4:8)

Every scar signifies something cut, removed, excised, or peeled away. Blood shed. If we are serious about wanting to know Christ, we embrace the meaningful message they bear. Would my scars draw me closer to Him?

“Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?” ~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Father, may I bear Your scars with gratitude and grace, and in every mark make You known and exalted.

“I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. 

Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul…

Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!..

And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.” Psalm 143:5-8,10,12

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;..
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:1-2

The Psalmist knew how to still and quiet his soul, and the lifeline it afforded. Listening to his observations, and memories, he was reminded of God’s great and gracious works. Those brought to mind His steadfast love, that flowed, and upheld, and never failed. Recalling those works of God’s hands opened his own toward Him, to reach, to hear more. HIs quieted soul would listen for the way to go, the level path to follow.

There is nothing like the morning quiet, and listen. Do we even know how to still and quiet our souls? To awaken and set first to listen to the voice, the cadence of truth, the sweet song, of our Savior? To train our minds to think on God’s wondrous works, and to thank Him? To discipline ourselves to read and listen to and occupy ourselves with nothing else except Him? When we take first glance and listen from another, our thoughts begin to stir and fill and react with mental vigor, yet in a spiritual vacuum. But when we seek first His Spirit’s voice, our ears will be attuned to Him in the barrage of noise around us and His leading will be clear. (Matthew 6:31-33)

If we thirst and go to satiate ourselves on anything but the giver of every good and perfect gift, we will come up empty. When we attentively listen to His unfailing love, and allow it to buttress our minds for the day ahead, we will know His sustenance of Spirit in a supernatural way. (James 1:17)

“O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindly tho’t and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Worthy Lord, my first and best and open ears are Yours.

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138

“His Son, he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:2-4

“Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.” Hebrews 3:1

A morning sky radiates breath-taking glory from heaven to wood, stone, and flesh here below. All that is high and lovely and beyond splendor and description meets with the low and banal and transient in the person of Jesus. He who is perfect and knew no sin became sin for us that we might taste and touch and be clothed with his righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

All that is high, may I ponder. Ponder with wonder, ponder with praise. How can I comprehend that He is high above the winds and the waves, the nations and governments and wars, the rancor in relationships, idiosyncrasies of personalities, secret thoughts of men? What does it mean that He is above the heavens yet regards the lowly? What does it change in my choices, my sentiments, to know He sees me, and sees after me, to perform His bidding? (Genesis 16:13; Jeremiah 1:12)

All that is high, may I love. Lord, captivate my affections, heart and soul, that there be room for nothing else. There are too many things on earth that vie for our attention and steal our affection. Ideas promoted and oft repeated that sully the truth or lofty thoughts toward others. Objects that shine and hum and entice and in the end complicate and entangle.

All that is high, may I share. May I be quick to console, bless, encourage with strength and love from above. May the language of heaven be mine to exalt what is lofty, elevate discussion, enlighten and bring peace.

Of all that is high, may I sing. May I never waste breath on complaint, argument, or lies. On gossip, criticism, demeaning talk, or to stir up dissension. How can I offer melody to the downcast, and inject harmony into stress?

All that is high, mark my life in every way, to the praise of God most high. Amen.

“Listen to me, O coastlands,
    and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
    from the body of my mother he named my name.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
    in his quiver he hid me away.
And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’” Isaiah 49:1-3

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

God the Creator has fashioned each of His children uniquely and for specific work. From first call, He sets out to work in us what pleases Him and leads to the end of His intent for us. As His beloved offspring, we have the privilege through life here on earth of joining Him in this work and fulfilling His call for His glorious purposes in the days He’s appointed. (Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 12:11)

The design is His, His also the power. But there is a necessary surrender, a cooperation, where we offer ourselves and by working and putting into practice we test and approve His will for us in our circle of the world. For some, this is the home, workplace, church, community, or city. For others, a wider swath in a country or broad public venue. The important thing is that we listen and know our place and work where God has called us. (Zechariah 4:10; John 21:21-22)

How zealous are we, in the trappings of busyness, to be all about God’s call? When do we take time to listen, and attention to make necessary changes and heed? Might He have us doing something more, or different, from what we have always done? How thoughtfully do we number our days, and measure and meet our opportunities? How eagerly to we take on new assignments? (Psalm 90:12)

“May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling 
All I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly 
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph 
Only through his pow’r.

May the peace of God, my Father, 
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort 
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me 
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.

May I run the race before me, 
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus 
As I onward go.” ~Kate B. Wilkinson (1925)

Lord, keep me marveling at Your works, and exhibiting Your character as I go about mine. May all I do be from You and unto You, and for Your honor and ends. (Psalm 111:1-10; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16; 3:23)

“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. Isaiah the prophet came and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover…”’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord… The word of the Lord came..: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will heal you... I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria… for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.’ And Isaiah said, ‘Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover…’

“At that time Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Hezekiah welcomed them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.  Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said, ‘What did these men say? And from where did they come?’ And Hezekiah said, ‘They have come from Babylon.’ He said, “What have they seen in your house?’ And Hezekiah answered, ‘They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.’

“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left.’” 2 Kings 20:1-2,4-7,12-17

King Hezekiah had faithfully and effectively led Judah to follow God, establishing his kingdom through prayer and in His name for over a decade. But some glint of self-importance sparked after the Lord graciously healed him from an otherwise fatal illness. Pride at being so favored? Fear of losing everything had he died? Suddenly pesky pigeons of arrogance nested in his esteem of God to overtake everything entrusted to him. When he pompously exposed the treasures of his kingdom to the enemy, the enemy took the lust-bait. And in judgment, the riches he’d treasured would soon be his treasures no more. (2 Kings 18:1-8; 19:14-19; 20:1-5)

Where is my treasure? In my transient kingdom here on earth where moth and rust destroy, or in eternal heaven? What occupies my interest, time, and mental energy proves my treasure, and where it settles, so does my heart allegiance, my delight, and my desire. (Matthew 6:19-21)

What might happen if the treasures we valued and introduced to others were the treasures of Heaven? What if instead of parading achievements or possessions we displayed Jesus? How vibrantly do His peace and joy adorn our demeanor and conversation? How are we demonstrating the beauties of His grace and security of His salvation so to make them attractive? What needs to change so that Christ in us appeals to others as their hope of glory? (Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 3:1-4)

Father, may I so treasure You that others do too.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 125:1-2

“The righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:6-7

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Like a mountain. Unmoved, abiding forever, surrounded from this time forth and forevermore. Surely these describe strength, stability, security beyond any we humans can fathom or put into place. The solid promise is that those who trust in the Lord are immovable, strong, established on earth and touching the heavens.

If this is true, which God’s word is- He does not lie but every word spoken is backed by unchanging righteous and the sufficient might to fulfill- why do we spend so much time wrangling in fear? Afraid of danger, afraid of sickness, afraid of failure, afraid of being exposed. Afraid for our children, afraid for our country, afraid for our future, afraid for our health. Afraid of pain, afraid of uncertainty, afraid of being cheated, afraid of death. We are surrounded by the Lord, and He is on our side and rules eternally from His perfect throne. Why do we outright disobey His consistent command not to fear? (Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; John 6:20; Romans 8:31-39)

What moves us to quaking that should be moving us to Jesus? When will we start taking the Lord at His word, and taking that word to battle? Into hard circumstances beyond our control, into strained relationships, anxieties, and incapacities?

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

‘Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

‘When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

‘When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

‘The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.'” George Keith (1787)

Father, in every activity and proclivity, may my heart devotion and faith be unmoved. Keep my soul firm as a mountain, grounded in You and always touching heaven.

“Israel is a luxuriant vine
    that yields its fruit.
The more his fruit increased,
    the more altars he built;
as his country improved,
    he improved his pillars.
Their heart is false;
    now they must bear their guilt.
The Lord will break down their altars
    and destroy their pillars.

For now they will say:
    ‘We have no king,
for we do not fear the Lord;
    and a king—what could he do for us?’
They utter mere words;
    with empty oaths they make covenants;
so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds
    in the furrows of the field…

Sow for yourselves righteousness;
    reap steadfast love;
    break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
    that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

You have plowed iniquity;
    you have reaped injustice;
    you have eaten the fruit of lies.
Because you have trusted in your own way.” Hosea 10:1-4,12-13

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and rules and statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you… out of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness,.. who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna… to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth… And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.” Deuteronomy 8:11-19

From early on, the Lord warned Israel of the dangers of amassing fruit and wealth, filling lusty eyes with treasure until they sparkle, and of corrupting affections by claiming them their own. They’d relinquished right thinking and distort the reality of proper authority and who gives every perfect gift. Succumbing to greed and idolatry ultimately brings judgment. (Romans 1:21-25; James 1:17)

We work hard to achieve, build, or overcome, then claim success and victory as our own. We profess to know God, and even identify our bounty as ‘blessing,’ yet we deny His ownership of and favor on our works. In fact, the Lord mercifully saves us unto these works. Our intent should always be to bring Him the glory He deserves by putting into practice His bestowed gifts. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 1:16; 3:3-8,14)

What resources or successes am I calling mine? Where am I denying God’s desire or ability to bless? What if I checked my motive against the truth that ‘His is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is His? Both riches and honor come from Him, in His hand are power and might and… to make great and to give strength?’ (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)

Father, may every effort be by Your strength, every achievement for Your honor, and every success unto Your glory alone. (Isaiah 42:8)

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:2-14

In Paul’s methodical teaching, he greets the Ephesian church with a blessing, then spells out who they are and what they have. They were always to remember their standing in Christ, and the riches entrusted to them for stewardship in the church and beyond. An inventory would arm them for doing their part in the Body of Christ.

The bounty God’s children own is as unimaginable as it is wonderful as it is awe-inspiring. Only an infinite, all-sufficient God could so endow and supply. The identity and inheritance bestowed is lavish and eternal, empowering and enlightening for daily living with heavenly impact in an earthly world.

If all this is ours, how are we to behave, interact, plan, work, and serve? He’s granted us these precious gifts for a work He’s prepared. His Spirit inspires and unifies and builds, and we are privileged to be caught up in contributing. (Ephesians 1:15-20; 2:10,18-22)

What does being chosen from the beginning to be adopted as God’s child mean to our sense of identity and self-worth? Has it turned insecurity and self-consciousness to Christ-consciousness and desire to emulate Him? If we’re redeemed and forgiven, and are being made holy and blameless for eternity, how does that affect everyday choices, and motivate us beyond living for just me, just now? Where am I working my way, in my strength? If God indeed has a purpose for me, am I exploring His plan and exercising my gifts to that end? How is His indwelling Spirit directing and infusing the way I love, discern, speak, pray? (Esther 4:14; Acts 17:26; Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 5:22-23)

Father, may I daily rejoice in and live out Your bounty, to the praise of Your grace and glory.