Ephesians 1:1-10

Ephesians 1:1-10
English Standard Version (ESV)

   1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
   3 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, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
  7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

***********

  Every spiritual blessing.
  He chose us.
  We should be holy and blameless.
  In him we have redemption.
  Forgiveness.
  Riches of his grace.
  Lavished upon us.
  Uniting all things in him.

  Friends, we worship a good and perfect God, who pours out his love.  Whatever you do today, you do so immersed in the grace and love of God, who is at work in you and the world around you.  He is at work in the hearts of the saints of the church, and he is at work in the hearts of those who do not seek him.  He loves all that he has created, and he seeks the good for each of us.  He chose to love, freely choosing us even though he knew it would hurt him when we turned from him.
  Still, he loves us.  No matter what, he loves, and he offers forgiveness and grace.  Today, you are not far from God, no matter what.  God is near, and he lavishes his love upon you.  Be at peace in the love of God, and may the active grace and forgiveness of God transform your heart and mind today.