365 Days of Praise
I AM RAISED UP with CHRIST
“and raised us up with Him,“
I’m smiling. Yep. Grinning ear to ear. Sitting here all by myself in my study at home. I hadn’t been smiling. I had been plowing through emails, trying to get a head start on the day on which I was already behind. But then, I read Ephesians 2:6 and that’s when I realized I was smiling. What about you? Does it make you smile to envision your sins as buried and to think on the mighty power of God raising you from death to new life in Christ; a new life in which your sins are not covering you – but rather Christ’s righteousness is? Smile with me today.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the glorious knowledge that I am raised up with Christ, free of my sin, raised to the glories of heaven; raised to walk in new life. I love You and praise You!
I HAVE SURPASSING GREAT POWER through CHRIST
“what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. “
Do you ever feel powerless? Perhaps you want to reach a goal, but it seems beyond your reach. Maybe you have attempted to overcome a sinful habit, but find yourself powerless to stand against it. In Ephesians 1:19, we’re reminded that there is a power, and a surpassingly great one at that. It is extended to those of us who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means – never give up. It means – look beyond yourself to Christ. It means – confess your inability and call out to the Lord of the Universe. When do we most fully experience God’s great power toward us? When we’re empty of ourselves and open our hearts to the Great Power of God – Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the surpassing greatness of Your power which You extend to those of us who believe in You and call on Your name.
I HAVE HOPE
“so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,”
As a Christian, I have HOPE. Praise God, I have HOPE! For what do I need or want hope? On a grand scheme, I hope for the new earth and heaven that will replace our fallen world. On a personal level, I hope for many things; that my grandchildren come to know Christ at an early age; that I might be a pure vessel for Christ. I can’t imagine not having hope. If you are feeling down, disappointed in yourself, or worried about the future, open your Bible and read Ephesians 1:18. It will encourage you. It will remind you of the hope that is yours in Christ.
Heavenly Father, there are not enough words to express my praise to You for the hope of my calling in Christ. Purify me so that I am a pure and spotless bride.
The EYES of MY HEART are ENLIGHTENED
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,”
This verse marks a pivotal point in my spiritual pilgrimage. I was a college summer missionary. Where was I sent to spread God’s Word? My home state – Texas. For 10 weeks I traveled with two other college students and we led workshops in churches across Texas. My part? To teach on the Holy Spirit. I remember one morning I was studying in Ephesians and God “did a work on me.” I read today’s verse and the Holy Spirit quickened my heart, “I can open your eyes to see more than the printed words. I can enlighten the eyes of your heart to see into the depth of My teachings.” My heart leaped, yearning to know God and His Word more deeply. He enlightened the eyes of my heart that morning to the incredible richness of His Word. I can honestly say that I’m in love with the Bible, for it is God’s deep, rich, powerful message to us. If you’ve never before accepted Christ’s gift of enlightening the eyes of your heart, open your Bibles to Ephesians 1:18-20. Read what is yours in Christ. Then, pray, “Enlightened the eyes of my heart.”
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Christ the eyes of my heart are enlightened to the hope of His calling, the riches of glory of my inheritance, and the surpassing greatness of Christ’s power toward me.
I AM SEALED in CHRIST with the HOLY SPIRIT
“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
Are you familiar with 1970’s song, “Sealed with A Kiss?” The lyrics follow:
Though we gotta say goodbye for the summer
Baby, I promise you this
I’ll send you all my love
Every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Yes, it’s gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I’ll fill the emptiness
I’ll send you all my dreams
Every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
I’ll see you in the sunlight
I’ll hear your voice everywhere
I’ll run to tenderly hold you
But baby, you won’t be there
I don’t wanna say goodbye for the summer
Knowing the love we’ll miss
So let us make a pledge
To meet in September
And seal it with a kiss.
When I think of the above lyrics and the “pledge” of love “sealed with a kiss,” I wonder if we can in any way get our minds around our Bridegroom’s words to us: that He was leaving; but He would not forget us, He would continue His deep love for us. When He left, He would send us the seal of His love: the Holy Spirit; a seal of more profound than that between two lovers. His seal, the Holy Spirit of Promise – the promise of our relationship being consummated at the heavenly Wedding Feast – reaches to our innermost core and being. It is beyond emotional. It is beyond physical. It is beyond intellectual. It is deeper still – a spiritual love and eternal promise. Some people know only of human love. But there is a more profound love and relationship that is sealed with the kiss of Christ’s Holy Spirit. Do you have that seal? If not, click here and respond to Christ’s calling for you to be His eternal bride.
Heavenly Father, thank You for our Bridegroom Jesus Christ and for the engagement gift of the Holy Spirit of Promise in whom believers are sealed.
I HAVE an INHERITANCE
“also we have obtained an inheritance,”
Just when it seems that we’re about to burst as we ponder on all that we have been given in Christ, we are reminded of yet another aspect of our identity as Christians. We’re RICH! Rather than being paupers, we are the recipients of an inheritance from God. What is our inheritance? It is the riches of God’s glory, of a place prepared for us in heaven, Christ returning to receive us into His glory. Our inheritance is eternal life where sin does not exist. Our inheritance is fellowship and harmony with God and others for eternity. Our inheritance is a new heaven and a new earth. Our inheritance is…we could go on forever; for that is our blissful inheritance – God’s love, glory, and peace forever.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the inheritance that I have in You. Help me live with a grateful heart for all You have given me and will give me in Christ Jesus.
I am LAVISHED with GRACE
“according to the riches of His grace which He LAVISHED on us.“
I’m having fun studying OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST. Are YOU? Today, ponder this fact about yourself. You are not a nobody. I know that probably wasn’t the best grammar, but you get the point. You’re a SOMEBODY. In fact, you didn’t barely “make it” to the santified position of “saved.” Rather, God LAVISHED you with His grace! You’re covered – head to toe in heavenly, holy, joyful, loving, redemptive G R A C E! You are a beautiful GRACE COVERED CHILD OF GOD. He loves you, has taken it upon Himself to clean you, set you apart as HIS, and identify Himself with you FOREVER. RICH GRACE. YOU. LAVISHED WITH IT. It will take you all the way to heaven. Think on it today with a grateful heart!
Heavenly Father, thank You for LAVISHING ME with the RICHES of YOUR GRACE. I love You and praise You!
I am REDEEMED!
“In Him we have redemption through His blood,…“
Are you familiar with the hymn, “Redeemed”? I had the blessing of growing up in a church where I attended Sunday nights as well as the morning service. Sometimes, the evening services were the most special because those services were filled with people who REALLY wanted to be there. It seems we sang the loudest and most from our hearts in the evenings. I’ll never forget the sound of deeply thankful Christians singing, “Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed through His infinite mercy. His child forever I am.” What does it mean to “have redemption”? It means that God liberated us from our sin, the devil, and hell by paying the ransom price of Christ’s blood. Shouldn’t we therefore SING with gratitude and gusto, “His child and forever I am!” I’m going to give you a glimpse of the kind of music I grew up singing on Sunday nights. I found this on YouTube. I’m not familiar with the church or worship leader. It was filmed in 2006. But, the voices of the congregation and the worship leader’s thankfulness for His redemption and for our Lord should be what every Christian feels. CLICK HERE to watch and more importantly listen and sing along: REDEEMED, how I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT.
Heavenly Father, thank You for redeeming me with the blood of Your precious Son. I do so love to proclaim my redemption and am ever so grateful!
I’M the RECIPIENT of GOD’S KIND INTENTIONS
“according to the kind intention of His (God’s) will.“
Have you ever longed for someone to be kind to you? Perhaps you’ve been in a troubled marriage and wondered, “Why can’t he/she just be kind?” You may have had a teen who rebelled and shouted, slammed doors, and ignored every good thing you tried to instill in them. “Why can’t they be kind?” you’ve pled to the Lord. You may have been abused as a child; or may be the victim of abuse even now. How you long for kindness. When we search for the answer to, “Who am I in Christ,” we find Ephesians 1:5 to be especially comforting. It tells us that we are the recipients of God’s kind intentions. God has intentions. They are kind. And they are directed at you.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in the midst of hectic days and sometimes difficult relationships, I am the object of the kind intentions of Your will. What a beautiful, glorious thought. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I’M GOD’S ADOPTED CHILD
“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,“
Say it, “I’m God’s adopted child.” Isn’t that cool? Think about it. Ponder it. Can we even get our minds around the holy, awesome, all-powerful ONE who reigns in heaven with angelic hosts to do His bidding – HIM – choosing to adopt us as His sons and daughters? It’s mind-boggling. But, that is who we are if we’re Christians. How were were adopted? Through an adoption agency, of course. No, it wasn’t any of the adoption agencies with which we’re familiar: Gladney, Adoption Advocates, or any other. Rather, it is through the Jesus Christ Adoption Agency. Yes, we were adopted through Christ Jesus. We are safe. We have an eternal home. No longer are we orphans left to live and die in Satan’s orphanage of darkness. We have an Eternal Father. Oh, I pray you love Him dearly. He deserves our deepest adoration.
Heavenly Father, how good it is to call You my Father who is in heaven. How wonderful to say in bold confidence, Holy is Your name. I am so honored to be Your child. Words are not enough to express my gratefulness. Only a life pleasing to You says thank You. Help me live that life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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