Thank you so much for your patience. I must apologize for the delay in finishing the devotions from Ephesians 1. It has been a busy time at church and it has caused me to get behind. With the parenting series and numerous other projects going on, I have not been able to spend the time to write the devotions with the quality that I want to provide. I have been reading and researching and I will continue them next week.
It is my desire to build this website over time so that it will be a great resource for people. Therefore, I want to make them the best that I am able. While I am not a great writer, I do feel this endeavor is important and I want to give it the best that I can give. (See Ecclesiaistes 9; Colossians 3). I have just not been able to do that for a couple of weeks, but I am catching up and will resume.
Thank you for your patience. Thank you also to those of you who have encouraged me to keep going. I am never certain how many folks are reading and it is a blessing to hear that God is using this devotional site in the lives of His people.
Talk to you again next week!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Day 19 Ephesians 1:15
DAY 19
"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,..." Ephesians 1:15
What is the point of all of that blessing? Why would God so freely lavish His grace on us in such a way that we would receive every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus? Paul provides for us the "so what".
He again uses the term saints. In verse 1 Paul addressed his letter to the saints. Here he reminds them who he is speaking to when he says he has heard of "your" faith- that of the saints themselves. The faith of the saints is, however, manifested in a particular testimony. He has heard of their faith expressing itself in their "love for all of the saints."
While the first half of the chapter describes our identity in Christ, the second half, beginning with this verse, explains that who we are should come out in our actions. If you have been accepted, then you should act with love. If you are prudent in Christ, then you should act with wisdom for others. If you have been purchased, then you should act on behalf of the One who purchased you.
Who we are determines what we do. Paul begins teaching the meaning of who they are by pointing out what has naturally come out of their lives as saints - love for the other saints. Love and ministry should naturally come out of our lives because of who we are. Being a saint means being set apart. Set apart for what - ministry and love to others.
Consider today how natural ministry is for you. Do you love as second nature? Is ministry a part of who you are right now? Ask the Holy Spirit, since you are not alone, to help you evaluate whether your faith is manifesting itself in love that matches with your identity in Christ.
"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,..." Ephesians 1:15
What is the point of all of that blessing? Why would God so freely lavish His grace on us in such a way that we would receive every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus? Paul provides for us the "so what".
He again uses the term saints. In verse 1 Paul addressed his letter to the saints. Here he reminds them who he is speaking to when he says he has heard of "your" faith- that of the saints themselves. The faith of the saints is, however, manifested in a particular testimony. He has heard of their faith expressing itself in their "love for all of the saints."
While the first half of the chapter describes our identity in Christ, the second half, beginning with this verse, explains that who we are should come out in our actions. If you have been accepted, then you should act with love. If you are prudent in Christ, then you should act with wisdom for others. If you have been purchased, then you should act on behalf of the One who purchased you.
Who we are determines what we do. Paul begins teaching the meaning of who they are by pointing out what has naturally come out of their lives as saints - love for the other saints. Love and ministry should naturally come out of our lives because of who we are. Being a saint means being set apart. Set apart for what - ministry and love to others.
Consider today how natural ministry is for you. Do you love as second nature? Is ministry a part of who you are right now? Ask the Holy Spirit, since you are not alone, to help you evaluate whether your faith is manifesting itself in love that matches with your identity in Christ.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Day 18 Ephesians 1:3
Day 18
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed with with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ..." Ephesians 1:3
No less than 12 times Paul states that we are blessed IN CHRIST. We have been learning just how blessed we are in Christ. Think about this truth today: What does it mean to be "in Christ?" It is clear that is where all of these incredible blessing are located. If you are in Christ, then you have these blessings. If you are not in Christ, then you do not have these spiritual blessings.
First, being "in Christ" means to be saved. It means that you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Verse 13 says, "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." This is the foundational meaning of being "in Christ." These blessings are your only when you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior. When you are saved, then all of the blessings happen to you in that moment.
Second, there is also a clear sense that God is at work in your life. Remember that part of your identity in Christ is purpose. God is at work accomplishing His purpose in your life. When you cooperating with Him in this purpose, you are attuned to your identity in Jesus. If you are not cooperating, then you are not attuned to what He is teaching you about who you are in Jesus.
There are a great many Christians who are struggling in their life because they are not attuned to who they really are in Jesus. They are blessed, but not learning what that blessing means. They are not making decisions of faith based upon who they are. While those faith decisions would radically alter their life circumstances and equip to handle anything with victory, they are either ignorant or ignoring (notice how similar those words are) the blessings of their identity.
It is critical for you to spend time with Jesus learning what happened to you when you were adopted. It is also critical to stay close to Jesus so you do not lose sight of who your are in Jesus. Focus on who you are in Christ. The blessings are there, but you most focus on appropriating the blessings. First, make certain you are in Christ as a Christian. Second, make sure you are focused on who you are in Christ so you can live in the blessings of your identity.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed with with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ..." Ephesians 1:3
No less than 12 times Paul states that we are blessed IN CHRIST. We have been learning just how blessed we are in Christ. Think about this truth today: What does it mean to be "in Christ?" It is clear that is where all of these incredible blessing are located. If you are in Christ, then you have these blessings. If you are not in Christ, then you do not have these spiritual blessings.
First, being "in Christ" means to be saved. It means that you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Verse 13 says, "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." This is the foundational meaning of being "in Christ." These blessings are your only when you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior. When you are saved, then all of the blessings happen to you in that moment.
Second, there is also a clear sense that God is at work in your life. Remember that part of your identity in Christ is purpose. God is at work accomplishing His purpose in your life. When you cooperating with Him in this purpose, you are attuned to your identity in Jesus. If you are not cooperating, then you are not attuned to what He is teaching you about who you are in Jesus.
There are a great many Christians who are struggling in their life because they are not attuned to who they really are in Jesus. They are blessed, but not learning what that blessing means. They are not making decisions of faith based upon who they are. While those faith decisions would radically alter their life circumstances and equip to handle anything with victory, they are either ignorant or ignoring (notice how similar those words are) the blessings of their identity.
It is critical for you to spend time with Jesus learning what happened to you when you were adopted. It is also critical to stay close to Jesus so you do not lose sight of who your are in Jesus. Focus on who you are in Christ. The blessings are there, but you most focus on appropriating the blessings. First, make certain you are in Christ as a Christian. Second, make sure you are focused on who you are in Christ so you can live in the blessings of your identity.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Day 17 Ephesians 1
DAY 17
“having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5-6
The foundation of this chapter, and the reason it is my favorite, is the explanation of the profound truth of who we are in Jesus Christ. When you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, you were adopted. You were given a new, accepted identity. It is permanently who you are because you are in Jesus.
Let’s just have a quick reminder. In Christ, you are …
Purchased (7)
Prudent (8)
Purposed (9)
Preserved [for all eternity] (10)
Predestined (11)
Praised [as His chosen example to showcase His glory] (12)
Present [in His presence always] (13-4)
That is who you are. That is who you are at every moment of every day of your life in Christ.
That should have an impact on how you view yourself. It should have an impact on the choices you make because of who you are in Jesus. It should impact the vision that you have for your future.
Paul will begin to cast a vision for our futures in a few verses, but take today and just consider the magnitude of what it means to be “in Christ.”
“having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5-6
The foundation of this chapter, and the reason it is my favorite, is the explanation of the profound truth of who we are in Jesus Christ. When you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, you were adopted. You were given a new, accepted identity. It is permanently who you are because you are in Jesus.
Let’s just have a quick reminder. In Christ, you are …
Purchased (7)
Prudent (8)
Purposed (9)
Preserved [for all eternity] (10)
Predestined (11)
Praised [as His chosen example to showcase His glory] (12)
Present [in His presence always] (13-4)
That is who you are. That is who you are at every moment of every day of your life in Christ.
That should have an impact on how you view yourself. It should have an impact on the choices you make because of who you are in Jesus. It should impact the vision that you have for your future.
Paul will begin to cast a vision for our futures in a few verses, but take today and just consider the magnitude of what it means to be “in Christ.”
Day 16 Ephesians 1:14
DAY 16
“…, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:14
It is a lofty promise to say that God will NEVER leave us alone. In fact, there are lots of times that I do feel strongly as if I am alone. What is the basis for the statement that I will never be alone? It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
This verse gives real substance to this promise. This verse uses an illustration from contract law to give a tangible foundation for your faith. When you purchase real estate, you do so by contract. You negotiate a purchase price and sign a contract. Then you give the seller earnest money which represents a portion of the purchase price.
You may not take possession of the house yet, but the contract is final and deal is completed already. The contract is complete in all of its terms and you are the owner of the real estate. You will take possession at a date after the contract is complete – but that final piece of the transaction is inevitable. The law demands that it be completed because it has already been purchased in the past. The legal obligation has already been established and the giving of the earnest money, or down payment, makes the contract final and binding.
This is the prefect illustration to show that you will never be alone. You salvation was purchased. You are daily being preserved until you reside in heaven with Jesus forever. The Holy Spirit is the earnest money on that contract. He makes it legal and binding on God the Father. He cannot ever break the contract without breaking the law itself, which obviously He cannot do as Holy God.
The Holy Spirit is there in your heart to seal the contract. More importantly, He is there in your heart to be with you until you reach heaven so your faith will be sustained that you have been purchased and possession of your inheritance in heaven is inevitable. His presence is your guarantee. Heaven is inevitable!
The real issue of us is not whether we are alone, but whether we feel alone. The truth is that you are not and cannot ever be alone in Jesus. Thus, we see the real impact of understanding our identity in Christ Jesus. Faith comes from standing in the truth and not standing in feelings. You are not and never will be alone.
“…, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:14
It is a lofty promise to say that God will NEVER leave us alone. In fact, there are lots of times that I do feel strongly as if I am alone. What is the basis for the statement that I will never be alone? It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
This verse gives real substance to this promise. This verse uses an illustration from contract law to give a tangible foundation for your faith. When you purchase real estate, you do so by contract. You negotiate a purchase price and sign a contract. Then you give the seller earnest money which represents a portion of the purchase price.
You may not take possession of the house yet, but the contract is final and deal is completed already. The contract is complete in all of its terms and you are the owner of the real estate. You will take possession at a date after the contract is complete – but that final piece of the transaction is inevitable. The law demands that it be completed because it has already been purchased in the past. The legal obligation has already been established and the giving of the earnest money, or down payment, makes the contract final and binding.
This is the prefect illustration to show that you will never be alone. You salvation was purchased. You are daily being preserved until you reside in heaven with Jesus forever. The Holy Spirit is the earnest money on that contract. He makes it legal and binding on God the Father. He cannot ever break the contract without breaking the law itself, which obviously He cannot do as Holy God.
The Holy Spirit is there in your heart to seal the contract. More importantly, He is there in your heart to be with you until you reach heaven so your faith will be sustained that you have been purchased and possession of your inheritance in heaven is inevitable. His presence is your guarantee. Heaven is inevitable!
The real issue of us is not whether we are alone, but whether we feel alone. The truth is that you are not and cannot ever be alone in Jesus. Thus, we see the real impact of understanding our identity in Christ Jesus. Faith comes from standing in the truth and not standing in feelings. You are not and never will be alone.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Day 15 Ephesians 1:13
DAY 15
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,…”
Ephesians 1:13
Did you know that as a Christian you will never be alone? Loneliness is one of the most difficult things for any person to face. Unfortunately, the nature of life in our world creates loneliness. People in marriages are lonely because of the struggles inherent in marriage. Lack of trust, broken promises, wounds inflicted on each other (knowingly or unintentionally) mean that wives and husbands feel separated from each other instead of the intimacy God designed for them.
The competitive nature of the work environment and the sheer speed of its pace create a sense of aloneness in men today. Most men who are honest would tell you they long for real a friend.
Single adults today are searching more than ever. The average age for first time marriages is almost 29. Singles are living longer today as singles. The environment they are in is tough. Churches have not yet put sufficient resources into Single Adult ministry and usually do not provide great alternatives for engaging friendships and relationships.
God knew this and therefore designed this blessing – I am in Christ and I have the presence of God in my life. This verse makes it clear that after we respond to the Gospel and make Jesus Christ our savior and Lord He enters into our lives with His loving presence.
This verse states that the presence of the Holy Spirit acts as the seal of is promise to us. Since God can never break any promise, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the presence of the Holy Spirit will never leave us. It is not about anything that we do to earn His presence in any way. Instead, God is the actor. The Holy Spirit personally enters into our lives in order to make it tangibly clear to us that we are God’s adopted children never to be disinherited. He stays present in our lives to constantly communicate the truth to us that He will never leave us and we will never be without His presence. We will never be alone.
As you go through the day today, try this truth on for size. Stop and speak to Him. Let the Lord know that you believe He is present. Thank Him for walking with you periodically throughout the course of the day. See if you do not begin to realize that you are not alone.
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,…”
Ephesians 1:13
Did you know that as a Christian you will never be alone? Loneliness is one of the most difficult things for any person to face. Unfortunately, the nature of life in our world creates loneliness. People in marriages are lonely because of the struggles inherent in marriage. Lack of trust, broken promises, wounds inflicted on each other (knowingly or unintentionally) mean that wives and husbands feel separated from each other instead of the intimacy God designed for them.
The competitive nature of the work environment and the sheer speed of its pace create a sense of aloneness in men today. Most men who are honest would tell you they long for real a friend.
Single adults today are searching more than ever. The average age for first time marriages is almost 29. Singles are living longer today as singles. The environment they are in is tough. Churches have not yet put sufficient resources into Single Adult ministry and usually do not provide great alternatives for engaging friendships and relationships.
God knew this and therefore designed this blessing – I am in Christ and I have the presence of God in my life. This verse makes it clear that after we respond to the Gospel and make Jesus Christ our savior and Lord He enters into our lives with His loving presence.
This verse states that the presence of the Holy Spirit acts as the seal of is promise to us. Since God can never break any promise, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the presence of the Holy Spirit will never leave us. It is not about anything that we do to earn His presence in any way. Instead, God is the actor. The Holy Spirit personally enters into our lives in order to make it tangibly clear to us that we are God’s adopted children never to be disinherited. He stays present in our lives to constantly communicate the truth to us that He will never leave us and we will never be without His presence. We will never be alone.
As you go through the day today, try this truth on for size. Stop and speak to Him. Let the Lord know that you believe He is present. Thank Him for walking with you periodically throughout the course of the day. See if you do not begin to realize that you are not alone.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Day 14 Ephesians 1:12
"that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 1:12
This truth may be the most exciting of all. Here is your newest identity statement: "I am so blessed because I am in Christ, my life gives praise to God's glory."
This truth is deeply profound. God wants to bless you so much that your life is a praise statement to the riches of His glory. God wants to bless you so much and in so many ways, that when people see your life, they are amazed at how glorious God's grace is in the life of a person.
God wants to bless you so that you become His strongest advertisement for being a christian. He wants invest in you the picture of His glory. That is beyond description. It is more than I can comprehend - to consider that God wants to work in my life with such power that His glory is praised in my life.
Take a few moments and just consider that. Whatever you are facing today, God wants to go to work and give you so much of His grace that your life is a praise to Him. That is a thought that takes an entire day to just wrap your mind and heart around. When you get your arms around that truth, say it to yourself a few times and let it sink in. THAT is who you are in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:12
This truth may be the most exciting of all. Here is your newest identity statement: "I am so blessed because I am in Christ, my life gives praise to God's glory."
This truth is deeply profound. God wants to bless you so much that your life is a praise statement to the riches of His glory. God wants to bless you so much and in so many ways, that when people see your life, they are amazed at how glorious God's grace is in the life of a person.
God wants to bless you so that you become His strongest advertisement for being a christian. He wants invest in you the picture of His glory. That is beyond description. It is more than I can comprehend - to consider that God wants to work in my life with such power that His glory is praised in my life.
Take a few moments and just consider that. Whatever you are facing today, God wants to go to work and give you so much of His grace that your life is a praise to Him. That is a thought that takes an entire day to just wrap your mind and heart around. When you get your arms around that truth, say it to yourself a few times and let it sink in. THAT is who you are in Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
