GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
Finding My Spiritual BlessingsEphesians 1:3-8 (KJV)
Richard T. Wilkins authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord for alongside his wife, Barbara, for 62 years.
In Ephesians 1:3 (KJV), we see that those who follow Christ are promised “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.”
So, I asked God what those blessings were. He prompted me to underline every verb in this epistle, for this is where he is at work. I found about 30 in the first three chapters!
You can make your own list, but these are the blessings I found in Ephesians 1:3-8.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6 (HCSB)
In verse four, I am chosen to be holy and blameless before the Father. Verse five says I am predestined in love to be adopted by the good pleasure of his will. And in verse six, I am bestowed with the glory of his grace. Each of these verbs can be applied to your own spiritual life!
We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8 (HCSB)
In verses seven and eight, I have redemption through Jesus’ blood, and forgiveness and grace have been lavished on me. These generous gifts — blessings — go on and on.
Take a look at these verses through your own lens this week. How has God blessed you, and what will you do with those blessings?
Want more devotionals? Our 40-day devotional book written by our Mission:Dignity recipients is available to order here.
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Commentary
• Oct 14, 2025 