Thursday June 2, 2022

Today is Thursday, June 2 and we are studying Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter one.

As I settle in for a quiet time of intimate morning prayer, I breathe slowly and deeply and center my entire being – body, mind and spirit – on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am here to experience your loving presence and discover the message you have for me. Speak to me through the sacred words of holy scripture and give me insight to comprehend your wisdom and truth.
Amen.

I rejoice in God’s mercy and grace praising him with the words of Psalm 105.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. Psalm 105:4-6

Pause and Pray

This section of the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians claims God’s people as his possession, chosen to receive an inheritance that is not available through good deeds but part of God’s beautiful plan and perfect will. God is holy and his people are called to be holy. We know that God’s chosen people are Israel and the descendents of Abraham are promised a spiritual inheritance. But now in the New Testament we learn that all humanity is invited to be children of Abraham and through God’s Son Jesus are chosen to receive salvation and find restoration with God.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are chosen by God to be his people. Mary and Joseph are chosen by God to be parents to the Messiah. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are chosen by Jesus to be his disciples. Paul is chosen to be an apostle. I am also chosen. In Christ I am chosen according to God’s plan and purpose and divine will. I have been given an inheritance, kept in heaven for me. I am redeemed to live a life of love, praising God and bringing him glory. God has a great rescue plan for my soul and I can trust God to make it happen in my life, saving me from sin and moving me toward holiness.

Ask: How and when have I felt chosen by God? When have I put my hope in Christ and when have I placed my hope elsewhere?

Pause and Pray

Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the purposes and plans you have for me – for good and not for harm. Thank you for choosing to come and find me, rescuing me from sin and darkness and bringing me into the light of your gracious love. I pray that all my life – my thoughts, words, deeds and actions bring you glory and honor. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I meditate on these verses from Ephesians, I consider the words that indicate God’s activity and the words that describe my activity. Words like choose, predestine, plan, work out and conform describe what God is doing in my life. Words like hope and praise describe my response to God. How might these particular words define the current state of my soul? Do these words indicate actions God is taking or has already taken in my life? What has been my response to God’s love and grace at work in me?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy God, I welcome you into the confused wilderness of my soul and ask you to bring your joy and peace. I pray the purposes and plans you have for me will be realized as I readily embrace the good life you have chosen me to lead. Thank you for the abundance of your blessings and the fellowship of your constant presence. Amen.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

I leave this time of prayer as one of God’s chosen people. I go into the darkest places to shine the light and spread the love of Jesus.

Amen