May 23 - We Can Come Boldly and Confidently

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come 

boldly and confidently into God's presence.

Ephesians 3:12

Why is it that we feel confident approaching God with our prayers, concerns, and praises? Every other ruler demands respect, silence, and submission. Christ alone is the reason we can enter into a relationship freely, openly, and honestly with our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful privilege we have to be able to approach God freely and confidently. Through prayer we can comfortably talk with our Father about everything and anything that is laid upon our heart. What an amazing gift Christ gave us through the bridge he created between God and ourselves. Through our relationship with Christ we know that we will be welcomed with open arms because we are God's children. Christ gives us the confidence to freely talk with God about everything. Openly pray to God, He is listening. 


Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son to allow me to freely, boldly, and confidently enter into a relationship with You. What a privilege you have given to all that believe!

May 22 - We Share in the Promise

And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the 

Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. 

Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise 

of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:6

Everyone who believes in the gospel shares equally in the bounty of heaven. All that have accepted Jesus as their Savior will reap the bounty of salvation. Our message for today is particularly convicting for me because so much talk and attention is given to "which religion is better". So many Christian groups senselessly waste their time bickering back and forth about which teaching is truer, which Bible is clearer, or which church is more convicting. If we take to heart Paul's teachings in Ephesians we can clearly understand that one group of Christians or Jews is not better than another. Following this Bible translation or that makes no difference. What matters most to God is that we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He wants us to follow in His footsteps and go where He leads us. Faith, forgiveness, and mercy is all that He asks of us. In return we receive salvation. Nothing more, nothing less.  Together as Christians and Jews who believe in Christ Jesus we will share in the promise of salvation and a bountiful eternal life. Next time you begin to throw stones about another Christian group, please think of Ephesians 3:6.

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me of my sins. O Lord please open my eyes to my shortsightedness and wash away the sins. Awaken my heart to acceptance of all that believe in You as their Savior. Please help me to willingly open my arms, heart, and home to all that believe in You. May I be a beckon on encouragement and comfort to all that seek me in Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May 21 - We Are Near God

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. 

Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought 

near to him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

In Jesus' time Jews and Gentiles resented each other. The Jews believed they were superior to the Gentiles and that the Gentiles were hopeless to save. The Gentiles on the other hand scoffed at the Jews claims and felt hatred towards them for the way the Jews treated them. Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection was for not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. Jesus united both groups under His wing and gave the precious gift of salvation to everyone. Even in modern times we are all united with and because of Jesus Christ. When you accepted Christ into your life you were united with Him through His body and blood. Jesus is so mighty and powerful that He can break down prejudices, brings reconciliation, and unifies us all into one body. 


Have you stopped to think recently about how far you have come in your life because you accepted Christ? Where would you be without Him? Are you walking near or far from God at this time in your life? I am deeply humbled when I consider the changes that God has made in my own life. I am brought to my knees with anguish to even consider where I might be without His love, guidance, and wisdom in my own life. We all need to stop and contemplate sometimes the marvelous impact God has had on our lives and give thanks to Him for all the glory He has bestowed upon us all. Times might be tough right now but do not fear, God is still near and He will not forsake you.


Dear Heavenly Father, O Lord where would I be without You in my life? Thank you Father for choosing me for salvation. All glory and honor is owed to You God for all that blessings you have given to me. May I never stray from your side and all be near You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

May 20 - We Are God's Masterpiece

For we are God's masterpiece. 

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, 

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10

I wish I was skinnier. I wish I was taller. I wish I had different color hair. I wish I had less wrinkles. The list of wishes for ourselves can go on and on. But why? Why do we torment ourself over and over again by dwelling on the imperfections rather than celebrate the perfect way God made us? You are truly God's masterpiece. You were created and live in perfection. Every wrinkle upon your face, every strand of hair upon your head, and every inch that allows you to stand tall is just how God intended you to be here on Earth. Celebrate the beauty within and without. Give thinks to Him for the grace and perfection He showed in creating you. Perfect you! 

Personally, I shudder to think how much time I wasted wishing away my blessings. I wish I was taller, I wish I had curly hair, I wish I didn't have freckles, and the list goes on. Once I learned to stop speaking negatively of myself I was able to enter a new level of relationship with God. I was finally able to embrace the perfection and imperfection with which He created me. What a wonderful feeling I was finally able to experience once I began appreciating myself.

God considers you His masterpiece. Do no disrespect Him by treating yourself or other as inferior.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the masterpiece you have created in me. No longer will I disrespect You by thinking of myself as inferior. Please bless my eyes and open them to the perfection within me and everyone around me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

May 19 - We Are Sitting With Christ

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated 

us with him in the heavenly realms because 

we are united with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6

One of the foundational identities that we have through Christ is resurrection after we die. We know we will be resurrected because Christ rose to heaven after His death. Christ's life and death also gives us the privilege of living as a Christian now. We are united with Christ and not only sit with Him here in the living but also after our death.  Personally when I consider the fact that I am sitting with my Savior I am not only humbled but empowered to live by His standards to the best of my ability. It is sobering to think that I have been chosen by my heavenly Father to live a Christian life. It is a gift and an honor that I do not take lightly. I am proud to walk (and sit) alongside Christ, my Savior.


Dear Heavenly Father, I am humbled and honored to sit with you O Lord. You have chosen me to walk alongside You through this life. Please guide me and strengthen me as I do Your work here on earth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

May 18 - We Belong to God By the Holy Spirit

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, 

the Good News that God saves you. 

And when you believed in Christ, he identified you 

as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, 

who he promised long ago.

Ephesians 1:13

Our relationship with God begins with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that we belong to Him and that He will do all that He has promised us. By accepting the Holy Spirit you are demonstrating your faith and securing your eternal life in Heaven with God. The Holy Spirit works inside of us to change our hearts and our minds. If you are truly accepting of the Spirit your life will never be the same. Your life will be exponentially better than before. What are you doing in your life to nourish and foster your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Do you ask for help and guidance or are you walking on your own and stumbling as you go? Dear friend in Christ I urge you to seek out the Holy Spirit living within you and grow your relationship to become closer to God. The Holy Spirit is part of the trinity we as Christians sometimes overlook.  We do not discuss or acknowledge it's importance in our spiritual lives nearly enough.


Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for guaranteeing your love and commitment to me through the Holy Spirit. Please give me the wisdom and strength to let the Holy Spirit guide and transform my life now and forever. In  Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

May 17 - Brought Under Christ's Authority

And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together 

under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth. 

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received 

an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance and he 

makes everything work out according to his plan.

Ephesians 1:10,11

Our true identity in Christ for today is two-fold; first God's plan for us could not be fully understood until He sent Christ to this earth. Upon Christ's birth Jew and Gentile were united. Second God's plan for our salvation cannot be altered no matter the evil doings of Satan. 


Christ's birth alone united two very different groups of people. One group were the "chosen" people while the others were commoners worthy of little until Jesus was born. Upon his birth and subsequent death for our sins the Gentiles were given a chance at eternal life, something only afforded to the Jews at that time. But dear friend, this is more than just a biblical history lesson. Devote some time this day to grasp the full meaning of Christ's birth. As a Christian, we are Gentiles. Had it not been for Jesus' birth we would have no opportunity for salvation, forgiveness of sins, or love and support from our Heavenly Father here on Earth. Prayers would not be answered. Life would be bleak and hopeless without the birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago.


Verse 11 addresses the notion that God's plan for your life is perfect. Even when it is chaotic and stressful your life is all according to His plan. The stress and difficulties are not mistakes but rather all a part of His righteous plan for your life. God is in charge! Nothing, not even the evil doings of Satan can derail His plan for your life and mine. There is great comfort in knowing this. God's plan for us is without fault, therefore we can live rest assured that He will carry us through the rough times and let us run in happiness during the good times. We can have faith and trust in God because His plan for our life is perfect.


Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for sending Your only son to die for my sins. Without this precious gift I would have no chance at salvation. Oh Lord, I gain enormous strength and comfort knowing that your plan for my life is perfect. When I am struggling O Father, please give me a sense of calm and comfort just knowing that You will guide me through the rough waters. Please Lord open my eyes and my arms to all that You have planned for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.