26th. May. 2022. Daily Devotion.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21
How do you picture Jesus seated in heaven? Do you imagine him lounging in an easy chair, resting from his hard labours on earth? Not a chance.
In heaven Jesus sits on a splendid throne at the Father’s right hand, the very highest place of honour. Sitting there is a sure demonstration that he is one with God the Father and deserving the same honour and respect. God the Father has placed all that exists under Jesus Christ’s power and authority.
Moreover, as the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians, God appointed Jesus as “the head over everything for the church, which is his body.” In heaven, as on earth, Jesus continues his ministry. As the head of the church, made up of his followers throughout the world, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus blesses each member with gifts to be used in humble service. And with his divine power and authority, Jesus protects his church from the many forces seeking to destroy it.
Just as Jesus isn’t resting in heaven, so too we are earnestly and diligently continuing his work on earth. K. Selles.
Jesus, thank you for your tireless work for the church, your body here on earth. Help us to trust you in all situations and to use your gifts to build your church. Amen.
Thanks for Everything
O Lord my God, it seems sometimes like you want to give me gifts more than I want to receive them, because my life is filled with so many wonderful things that I take for granted. I don’t remember to ask for them and hardly remember to thank you for all of them. Most of the parts of my wonderful body function as they should, or at least pretty well; and it is only when something goes awry that I realize it is there!
Who could possibly remember to thank you for everything? The way my eyes move and focus, all the parts of my heart that keep lifeblood circulating, every minute of every day, without me even thinking about it. All those weird little parts of my brain. The chlorophyll in plant leaves that make my life possible. Nobody could come close to thanking you for all the wonders of life.
I pray that you will accept my thanks for all the little things that make my life possible, and pleasant. The necessary things, and the beautiful things, and the things that smell good, and the things that make me laugh; everything that I will never remember to thank you for specifically, great Lord, I thank you for now. Amen.
Meditation
“There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle.” ~ Robert Alden
Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly with each other and with the public and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. Amen.