Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Ephesians 1:1-6
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Our devotional today is in the book of Ephesians. This wonderful book presents Christ as the head of the church. In chapter one, we see the three persons of the trinity and how they work together to bring believers closer to Christ. The body of Christ is the Lord’s means of reaching the world today. In today’s study, we’ll see the work of the Father. Tomorrow, we will see the work of the Son; then the next day, we’ll find the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
In verses 3-6, we observe the blessings from the Father. Our position in the Lord is wonderful as we see that there are three parts to the blessings of the Father.
First. He has chosen us. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:3-4). This is the doctrine of election, but we must be careful not to explain away the mystery of grace. We become members of the body of Christ by faith through grace. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Second. He has adopted us. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will (Ephesians 1:5). “Adoption” in the NT refers to the official act of a father who bestows the status of full adulthood on a son of minor status. It is not the taking in of an outsider; it is the placing of a family member into the privileges and blessings of adulthood. This means that even the youngest Christian has everything that Christ has and is rich in grace.
Third. He has accepted us. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). In ourselves, we are not acceptable to God, but in Christ, we are “made accepted.” The Epistle to Philemon is a beautiful illustration of this truth. Paul wrote, Receive your slave Onesimus as you would receive me (Philemon 1:17). Though once we were sinners, Christ says to the Father, “Receive this saint as you would receive Me.” For a special blessing, you can trace that wonderful phrase “in Christ” throughout Paul’s letters. You will be thrilled!
Bible Reading for the Year
July 25th, Psalms 50-52; Acts 27:1-25
July 26th, Psalms 53-55; Acts 27:26-44
Prayer Needs
Please pray for Lance and Erin Pippin. They left last Saturday morning for a mission’s trip to Mexico with YUGO ministries and arrived safely. They will gave away clothes, food, and helped build houses. They return July 25th, Saturday morning. Pray for their safe travels and thank God for their ministry.
Please continue to pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She has been moved into the River Trace rehab center in Washington.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. Her white blood cell count is low, and she will have to take shots to increase it. Her next chemo treatment is Thursday, the 30th. The following Monday she will have a shot to boost her white blood cell count.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She will begin chemo treatment with an inhibiter pill next Thursday, the 30th.
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He had an appointment on Tuesday, July 14th, with his kidney doctor. He had a scan of his kidneys; the scan shows some kidney stones, but treatment isn’t recommended as of yet.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go. Pray for him to get stronger! He had an appointment with his hematologist on the 14th, and he began with the first of 5 shots to improve his red blood cell count on Tuesday the 21st.
Linda Franks’ surgery had to be rescheduled because she has a sinus infection and is on medication for it.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He seems some better, and the pain has decreased some.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia