14 day plan

Living Above the Mess

Day 8 of 14

CSB

Ephesians 1:18-19

18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

Reflections:  Know These Three Things

Today we are getting new eyes. Having hit the age where glasses are necessary for reading, I would love to get new eyes, but this verse is not promising 20/20 vision in your natural sight. It promises that the eyes of your heart would be opened. Paul wants you to know three things in your heart

  1. The hope to which God has called you.
  2. The riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
  3. His incomparably great power for us who believe.

These three things are a strong foundation you can stand on and live life above your mess, issues and problems. The word ‘know’ means ‘to be aware of through observation, inquiry or information’. We need to become aware of these three things. As you do, your heart will be lifted up, you will know hope in every situation, you will know that God has a great and glorious inheritance for you and you will know that whatever you face, he has the power to help, overcome and make us more than a conqueror in him!

Questions:  What encouragement do you gain from knowing that you have hope, an inheritance and God’s power as you step into your day?

Prayers:  Today, Lord, let my spiritual eyes be opened to the understanding that I have a great hope to which you have called me; the riches of your glorious inheritance; and that your power can overcome anything I face. Let me rest secure in these three promises of your Word today, no matter what I see in the natural.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

Days

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2
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4
5
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7
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14

Ephesians 1:1-23

Greeting

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:

To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Rich Blessings

3Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10as a plan for the right time — to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

11In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

13In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

15This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

God’s Power in Christ

20He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens —  21far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers