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Glad Tidings
Andrea Lende • December 23, 2020
Ephesians 2:17-18
Glad Tidings
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Glad-Tidings-eo53i3
Ephesians 2:17-18
“And He came and preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off and [peace] to those who were near.”
“For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him].”
As we near the celebration of Christ’s birth, I am blessed that this passage was in my reading today.
The true reason for this Season.
He came for us.
He came so we would have peace.
It wasn’t just for the God’s chosen people of Israel over two thousand years ago.
It is for us today as well.
Paul was talking to the Gentiles at Ephesus here.
They did not previously have access to the Lord as the Israelites did.
The Law separated them from God’s chosen.
They were considered a heathen people.
Meaning they were without God.
But Jesus came so all people could have salvation.
All people could have peace.
All people could have access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit.
This passage says we “are able to approach”
God.
The Almighty God.
The One and only God of the universe.
As Jesus stepped out of heaven to live on this earth and be the sacrifice for all, we too have access to the Lord.
The One Who made us.
So, we are never alone.
We are never left destitute.
The Lord is always with us.
He walks with us.
Carries us.
Lifts us up to Him.
He molds and changes our hearts.
And puts His Holy Spirit in our spirit so we are always connected to the Lord.
Such a lovely passage to read today as we make the last preparations to celebrate the birth of our King.
Today I choose to be grateful for the grace God shed on me as He sent His Son to be born, live, and die to save me and all people.
May you find the Lord is as gracious to you today as He was two thousand years ago when He sent His Son to be the eternal sacrifice for you and all people.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for sending Your Son to this earth to be born, live, and then be sacrificed for all people. Thank You for sending Him in such a humble way to us. You clearly showed your love for all people when You sent Him to be born to Mary. Thank You, Lord, for loving all of us. Thank You for sending Him so peace may reign in our hearts. Thank You for sending Him so we can have relationship with You. You thought of me thousands of years before I was born. Thank You, Lord, for putting me on this planet now. Thank You that I can fully experience You here on this earth as I await the day when I will worship You in heaven. Help me worship You in reverence and in all fullness, Lord. You deserve all my worship and my praise. Strengthen me today to do all that You have planned for me to do. May Your grace lift me up to You as I am bound to the confines of this earth. May my spirit commune with Yours, Father. Keep my eyes on You. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I sent my Son so all people can have access to Me and My love for them.
Response: Thank You, most gracious and loving Father.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.