#1358. Praise be to God (6/10/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we begin our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

This week, we are looking at Ephesians 1:1-3. Today, as we begin our devotions in Ephesians, we ask:

Why is praise our highest calling and why is it vital for a healthy Christian life?

You can listen to this devotional below

A jackdaw is a bird known for its strange habit of collecting shiny objects and hiding them away, apparently for no real purpose. People often do something similar—chasing after and hoarding “shiny things” that have little lasting value. But Christians are called to a better pursuit. We are to gather and treasure God’s truths in our hearts and minds, storing them up as fuel for joy and praise on the long road of life.

1. Praise is our highest calling.

There, of course, are many important things that we are to give our time and attention to. I’m sure that today you probably feel like you’ve already got too many important things to do without talking about praise! 

However, praise and worship are our highest calling and it’s what we’re designed for. To Praise God is to do what we read in the first of the Ten Commandments:

If we fail to put God and our devotion to Him at the top and over all other things, we are in idolatry and we, not only displease God, but we will not thrive! 

1. To praise we must store the right fuel

Paul, begins this letter, by setting us the great example of putting praise front and centre. 

After his initial greeting in verse 1-2, Ephesians 1:1–14 is a single, sweeping sentence in the original Greek - a breathless outpouring of praise from Paul. He is overwhelmed with joy as he reflects on all that God has done for him in Christ. This isn’t cold theology; it’s heartfelt worship.

Paul begins by affirming his calling as an ‘apostle by the will of God.’ He does this for two reasons. First, so his readers receive this letter as God’s Word through him. Second, to remind them that God’s grace reached him - a former persecutor - and can reach and redeem anyone. That, in itself, fuels praise.

He calls them ‘God’s holy people’ -  that means that they’re chosen and set apart as God’s possession; added to this, they are described as ‘the faithful [those who believe] in Christ Jesus’. Right from the start, Paul anchors them in the gospel truth: one is saved because God chose to make us holy and our salvation is by faith alone.

Then comes a phrase Paul has used in seven of his letter, which sums up this letter, the gospel, and the reason for praise: ‘Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’

This opening teaches us a vital principle: begin with worship. A healthy Christian life - and a healthy church life - starts with lifting our eyes off ourselves and onto God. Putting Him in the rightful place in our hearts brings true spiritual health.

2. God wants us to know His blessings

God wants, them, all of us, to know, deeply and personally, the spiritual blessings that are already ours in Christ. He wants us to be secure in His love, filled with hope for the future, and overflowing with joy in the present.

However, if we’re honest, joy can often feel far off. We become weighed down by struggles, distracted by temporary things, and shaped more by the voices of the world than by the truth of God’s Word. We chase fulfilment in the wrong places and find only emptiness.

Today, hear the Spirit’s invitation. He wants to open your eyes to the riches of God’s grace. He wants to fill your heart with praise and confidence - not because life is perfect, but because your blessings in Christ are real and are unshakable.

Response

We began by asking: Why is praise our highest calling and why is vital for a healthy Christian life?

Today, we’ve begun to see that we praise because it’s right for God’s creatures to worship Him above all things!Secondly, in response, let’s slowly and prayerfully read through Ephesians 1:1–14. Let the truth of God’s blessings lead you into praise. As you reflect, ask the Holy Spirit to lift your eyes and stir fresh love, joy and hope in your heart.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

Specifically, ensure everyone knows the details of our upcoming New Ground Weekend.

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Today, because of our theme, let’s leave more time at the end to worship and pray together. 

4. Study and pray together

On Sunday, we began our new series entitled:

Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Please read Ephesians 1:1-3 and discuss:

1. What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

2. How do these verses inspire us to praise God?

3. What is your current practice regarding praise and worship in your devotions, or, how would you like to develop in this vital practice? 

4. For the rest of our time together, let’s spend time in worship and prayer.