Daily Reading: Ephesians 2
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (Ephesians 2.4-5)
Devotional Thought: This morning as I write this devotion, I am sitting in the McDonalds in Fairmont, WV. A family (dad, mom, two little girls) are sitting in the booth across from me. Just a moment ago, I noticed the dad get up and kneel down next to his little girl and hug her. I couldn’t see all that happened, but he didn’t give her anything. She wasn’t misbehaving or needing to quiet down. I just concluded the reason he got up and knelt next to her was because he loved her! That’s why God came down to us in Christ – because he loved us!
As you read Ephesians 2 today, celebrate that God loves you. Remember what was, what is, and that which shall be. You were dead, but now you are alive. You were alienated and without hope, but God has brought you near and reconciled you to himself in Christ Jesus!
And the amazing part of that is that at the time we weren’t even part of his family! He came to us when we were alienated, when our sins separated us from God and our rebellion deserved nothing but retribution. He came when we were dead. He came because he is rich in mercy. He saves us by grace.
As we journey away from Bethlehem’s celebration, there is still great cause for joy: Jesus came to save us. He died to redeem us. He rose to give us eternal life. He lives to intercede for us. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that I have been redeemed from my former state of sin and hopelessness and have been delivered into a life abundant in hope and love. All because of your great love! Amen!
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 147.12-20
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules.Praise the LORD!
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