Knowing Who We Are and Whose We Are

Praise God who knew us before we were born and have chosen us to be the praise of the glory of His grace. What a high calling! He has made us alive who were dead in trespasses and sins, and raised us up together and made us sit together, both Jew and Gentile, in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Bible Reading: Ephesians Chapter 1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 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 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth— in Him. 

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

(See also Ephesians Chapter 2 through Chapter 6.)

Thursday Inspiration: Shine the Light of Jesus into a Dark World

Related Bible Reading: Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 

Today's Devotion: What a Mighty God!

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; 

by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.

(Proverbs 3:19-20)

Bless The Lord, O My Soul

Strength for Life's Journey

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A Godly Living Prayer

More prayers for life's journey:

Visit the Prayer Garden

Bless the Lord God who made the heavens and the earth!

A Prayer for Today

Prayers to God, the Maker of our souls.

A Prayer for Today

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It's a new day and we know not what this day will bring, but be encouraged — The Lord is ever present. He is the Lord God of all our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. Truly, our lives and times are in His hands. He speaks peace to the billowy waves and they must obey. He grants us His power to overcome by faith in His name. He will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Read More

Evening Meditation: Be Still

Be in awe of His majesty and power. Be still and know that He is God!

Morning Devotions

Prayer Garden

Today's Devotion: Faith Journey

Having faith in God and exercising that faith, indicate that we believe in a righteous, all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful God, and trust Him to do what He has said He will do, even to the saving of our souls. The Word of God exhorts us to believe and hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Like the faithful witnesses that have gone before us, let us persevere in faith, for the just shall live by faith and without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Related Bible Readings:
Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:38 & 39; Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Childlike Faith

Kingdom Faith—It's Glorious!

Walk on Water

www.awalkinthegardengreetings.com

Creation Testifies

Good morning and Happy Wednesday! Thanks and glory be to God who has revealed His invisible attributes in creation, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4)

Having this understanding, the Psalmist David was inspired to desire God's perfect law, His sure testimony, His right statutes, His pure commandments, His clean fear, His true and righteous judgments. He reckoned they were more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 

He wrote, "Moreover, by them Your servant is warned and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand His errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." 

And centuries later, the Apostle Paul would write, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."" "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."

A Prayer:

Thank You Lord for who You are! You are God! Make us more and more like Jesus, as we submit ourselves to You. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Related Reading: 

Psalm 19

Romans 1:16-32

Sweet Meditation

Tuesday's Thought: A Heart of Joy and Gladness

By My Spirit, Says the LORD of Hosts

With the anointing of God's Spirit and His grace in the lives of His saints, there is no mountain that can stand in the way of God's purposes.

Bible Reading: Zechariah 4:6-10

"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ''Grace, grace to it!" ' "

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth."

Bless the Lord God of our souls! In every generation, He calls and anoints men and women to participate in His divine purposes in the earth and to give birth to what is conceived in the Spirit. He rejoices in seeing those purposes fulfilled. As workmen in His kingdom, as runners in the Christian race, under His watchful eyes, He supplies all the grace we need to fight the good fight of faith and to finish the course with joy! Thank You, Lord God!

What a Merciful God!

Inspirational Thoughts: A Well-Watered Garden

A Bible Reading:

"Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord—for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 31:10-14)

Bless God, who has redeemed us out of every nation and liberated us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Amen.

Praise Jesus, The Rock of Our Salvation!

Today's Devotion: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

O how He loves and cares for you and me! God made us in His image and according to His likeness, to reflect His glory. What a high calling! 

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You." (Psalm 139:13-18)

A Prayer:

Lord God, thank You for Your everlasting love and for redeeming us, seeing that we all have fallen short of the glory for which we were created, and like sheep, gone astray from Your purpose for our lives. Thank You for Your precious and innumerable thoughts towards us. Thank You for the joy of Your salvation, and the power to do your will. Thank You that we can live in Your presence now and forevermore. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Morning Devotions, Prayers Online

 

The Secret Place of the Most High

A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Today's Bible Reading:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust." (Psalm 91:1 & 2)

Reflection on the entire Psalm:

Whatever dangers, toils and snares life may bring, God's children who are resting in Him and cultivating a deeper relationship with Him, can rejoice, for Almighty God takes delight in those who love and trust Him and His great power is made manifest on their behalf. 

A Prayer:

Thank You Heavenly Father for Your love and care for us. Thank You Lord God for faith to believe in You and the confidence You have put in the hearts of Your children. Thank You for Your Word that nourishes our hearts and minds and gives us strength. Thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Thank You for Your church triumphant! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

An Anchor and Safe Haven of Rest