On Sunday Pastor Larry could not contain his exhortation which came out with an exclamation to “JUST LIFT JESUS UP! PRAISE HIM! LIFT HIM UP!” at the end of the service. There was such an energy flow afterwards that people hung around talking for quite a while, me included.

We keep Holy Spirit energy flowing as we do just that, lift Jesus up, exalting His Name, every day.

As I was cooking I heard “Ephesians” so I went there today. I have read Ephesians many times but looked at the ESV (English Standard Version) this time, at the study notes. In chapter 1, verses 5 and 6 it reads:

“In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.”

In the notes it advises that “God’s ultimate purpose is not redemption as such, but the PRAISE of His Glorious name THROUGH redemption.” That shifted my understanding.

Do we praise Him enough? No. But since this is His ultimate purpose in redeeming us, I exhort all of us to open our hearts and mouths in praise. Just a few minutes a day set aside can be spent in deep focus and praise and gratitude for all He has done, is doing, will do. He is worth much more than a few minutes, but as we start to take small daily steps He rewards us. I am convinced this changes our brains – for the better!

Here the verses are in the Passion Translation, just for added enjoyment.

“For it was always in His perfect plan to adopt us as His delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that His tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify His grace – for the same love He has for His Beloved One, Jesus, He has for us. And this unfolding plan brings Him great pleasure!”

Shalom Shalom

Kathi