Evening Scripture

Ephesians 1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 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. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Evening Reflection 

With another day coming to an end, Ephesians 1 encourages us to consider anew the reality of who we are in Christ. We need this recalibration to what God says about us because there is much in our daily lives that attempts to tell us who we are: that we are defined by what we do, the accounts we follow, or the hobbies we pursue.  

Yet the Apostle Paul holds up a tapestry of verses as if to say: “This is who you are, and it changes how you live.” The picture he gives us is that of loving adoption. Just as a family that decided to open their home to welcome a child as their own, the Father has brought us into His family as beloved children. He lovingly chose us, each one of us, to be His own. And He did so out of love by sending His Son to die for us. This was not a whim decision by God, but a preplanned choice made before time. We were predestined to be His sons and daughters. As we consider the past day, what has influenced our understanding of our identity? Does the ongoing dialogue about who we are make us feel like a beloved child or a forgotten orphan?  

The passage from Ephesians tells us the truth–that we are chosen by the Lord and deeply loved by Him. Tonight, as we close our eyes, we can meditate on this reality, resting in the identity of who God says we are. For the Voice that really matters is the One that shows us who we are in Christ.  

Evening Prayer 

Lord,

At the end of this day, help me to listen to Your Word. There are far too many things in life telling me who I should be and what I am worth. May I listen to what you say about me? That I was predestined in love to be Your child, redeemed by the precious blood of Your Son. Thank You, O Lord, for blessing me with spiritual riches I do not deserve.

Let me rest in this truth tonight, allowing it to grow deep within me as I sleep. I want to awaken to live the new day based on the reality of who I am in Christ. Truly, this knowledge changes everything! In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/1.html">Ephesians 1</a> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God&rsquo;s holy people&nbsp;in Ephesus,&nbsp;the faithful&nbsp;in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.&nbsp;For he chose us&nbsp;in him before the creation of the world&nbsp;to be holy and blameless&nbsp;in his sight. In love&nbsp;he&nbsp;predestined&nbsp;us for adoption to sonship&nbsp;through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure&nbsp;and will&mdash;&nbsp;to the praise of his glorious grace,&nbsp;which he has freely given us in the One he loves.&nbsp;In him we have redemption&nbsp;through his blood,&nbsp;the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches&nbsp;of God&rsquo;s grace&nbsp;that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,&nbsp;he&nbsp;made known to us the mystery&nbsp;of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed&nbsp;in Christ,&nbsp;to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment&mdash;to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
In him we were also chosen,&nbsp;having been predestined&nbsp;according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose&nbsp;of his will,&nbsp;in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.&nbsp;And you also were included in Christ&nbsp;when you heard the message of truth,&nbsp;the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,&nbsp;the promised Holy Spirit,&nbsp;who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance&nbsp;until the redemption&nbsp;of those who are God&rsquo;s possession&mdash;to the praise of his glory.
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God&rsquo;s people,&nbsp;I have not stopped giving thanks for you,&nbsp;remembering you in my prayers.&nbsp;I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,&nbsp;may give you the Spirit&nbsp;of wisdom&nbsp;and revelation, so that you may know him better.&nbsp;I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened&nbsp;in order that you may know the hope to which he has called&nbsp;you, the riches&nbsp;of his glorious inheritance&nbsp;in his holy people,&nbsp;and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power&nbsp;is the same as the mighty strength&nbsp;he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead&nbsp;and seated him at his right hand&nbsp;in the heavenly realms,&nbsp;far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,&nbsp;and every name&nbsp;that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.&nbsp;And God placed all things under his feet&nbsp;and appointed him to be head&nbsp;over everything for the church,&nbsp;which is his body,&nbsp;the fullness of him&nbsp;who fills everything in every way.
Evening Reflection&nbsp;
With another day coming to an end,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/1.html">Ephesians 1</a>&nbsp;encourages us to consider anew the reality of who we are in Christ. We need this recalibration to what God says about us because there is much in our daily lives that attempts to tell us who we are: that we are defined by what we do, the accounts we follow, or the hobbies we pursue. &nbsp;
Yet the Apostle Paul holds up a tapestry of verses as if to say: &ldquo;This is who you are, and it changes how you live.&rdquo; The picture he gives us is that of loving adoption. Just as a family that decided to open their home to welcome a child as their own, the Father has brought us into His family as beloved children. He lovingly chose us, each one of us, to be His own. And He did so out of love by sending His Son to die for us. This was not a whim decision by God, but a preplanned choice made before time. We were predestined to be His sons and daughters. As we consider the past day, what has influenced our understanding of our identity? Does the ongoing dialogue about who we are make us feel like a beloved child or a forgotten orphan? &nbsp;
The passage from Ephesians tells us the truth&ndash;that we are chosen by the Lord and deeply loved by Him. Tonight, as we close our eyes, we can meditate on this reality, resting in the identity of who God says we are. For the Voice that really matters is the One that shows us who we are in Christ. &nbsp;
Evening Prayer&nbsp;
Lord,
At the end of this day, help me to listen to Your Word. There are far too many things in life telling me who I should be and what I am worth. May I listen to what you say about me? That I was predestined in love to be Your child, redeemed by the precious blood of Your Son. Thank You, O Lord, for blessing me with spiritual riches I do not deserve.
Let me rest in this truth tonight, allowing it to grow deep within me as I sleep. I want to awaken to live the new day based on the reality of who I am in Christ. Truly, this knowledge changes everything! In Jesus&rsquo; name I pray.
Amen.
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Resting in the Truth That I Am Chosen and Loved (Ephesians 1)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/f9a93fc9-e568-4ec9-a90e-b45d00f56eea/transcript