Day 1 - Blessed through 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.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

There is so much to talk about in this passage about the amazing gift of the gospel! I want to focus on the BLESSING's we have in Christ.

- "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places:" How gracious of God to give us Christ, His only Son. We can now enjoy the righteousness of Christ (Romans 5:17)! This is very encouraging, we are fully in Christ and are blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing! Nothing good does He withhold! Do I live with this realization? I am dead to sin, alive in Christ, God is for me, and filled with the Holy Spirit! I am blessed to say no to sin and also to serve and use the gifting HE has blessed me with.

- "he chose us in him :" He called us His own. I had nothing to do with it. Knowing my pride and selfishness He drew me to Himself when I was running away.

- "predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ:" Romans 8:15, 23 and Gal. 4:5. What a blessing to no longer be objects of God's wrath, but now called His sons through Jesus. He willing and with a purpose adopted me. Now I can praise Him for who he truly is and for what He has lovingly done for me!

- "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:" Again there was purpose, He had this planned from the beginning of time. My finite mind cannot even comprehend this. How great our God is! In perfect wisdom he for new and brought about our salvation at the perfect time. What a blessing to know that God is control and perfectly sovereign over our lives! My life is in His hands!

- "In him we have obtained an inheritance:" 1 Peter 1:4...We have an inheritance that is imperishable! It will never end or fade. We get to spend the rest of eternity with our Savior! I am challenged to constantly ask myself if "I am living for that day and His glory?" When I have been given so much it is a waste of time (which is also a gift) to be focused on myself and "problems." We have hope, one that is alive through Christ!!! What is there to complain about, nothing we have Christ, who was crucified on a tree and rose from death! Now by Him we can enter in with the Father to Heaven! I am so excited and cannot wait until that day! May I always be joyful and thankful for what the Lord has blessed me with!

- "to the praise of his glory:" We are to praise him for His glory. There is not part we played. We now are blessed to worship!

"who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it:" Our inheritance as mention above is guaranteed through Christ. One day we will acquire possession of it! What a blessing! What a Savior!!!

Ps. 32: 1-2: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit...