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.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Day 13 Ephesians 1:11
DAY 13
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,…”
Ephesians 1:11
This verse is a verse of confidence and gives you a great spiritual truth – “I am predestined because I am in Christ.” This word has led to much confusion in churches today. But this verse was meant for confidence and not confusion.
The true biblical meaning of predestination means that all believers have the final act of God’s purpose in their lives (to be made like Jesus) sealed by His power to occur without fail. In this chapter, we have seen that we are both adopted and preserved. We can never lose our salvation because adopted sons/daughters cannot ever be disinherited. We will be preserved for all eternity, regardless of what life or the enemy might bring. We know with confidence that these things will happen because it is predestined to happen.
Some people believe that predestination means that God "predetermined" that some people would be saved and that other people would not be saved. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Bible makes it clear that God desires for all men to be saved. This verse is not about who gets saved, but what happens when we are saved.
God decided before He started this entire human drama that He would have a church. He did not predetermine who would be in that church and who would not, but requires of each person a choice to accept or reject Him as their God. He decided that He would make those who chose to be a part of His church become like Jesus. That is a process that begins while we are on earth and is completed once and for all when we are ultimately gathered together in heaven to live in His presence forever. (See verse 10)
We know all believers will be made to be like Jesus because it is His will. This verse tells us that all Christians have an inheritance waiting in heaven – because we are His adopted children. It is even given in past tense. Why is it written in past tense if we will not receive it until we go to heaven? Because it will happen as if it already did happen. God sealed it as our destiny as His children. Nothing can change that because it is His loving desire for it to happen.
You need never doubt your salvation. You need never worry about heaven. Why? Because you have an inheritance waiting there that has been sealed by the blood of Jesus. God predestined you to receive that inheritance in Jesus Christ. Your eternal future was sealed by the power of God through Jesus. Can you be any more safe? Are you thankful for that truth on a daily basis?
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,…”
Ephesians 1:11
This verse is a verse of confidence and gives you a great spiritual truth – “I am predestined because I am in Christ.” This word has led to much confusion in churches today. But this verse was meant for confidence and not confusion.
The true biblical meaning of predestination means that all believers have the final act of God’s purpose in their lives (to be made like Jesus) sealed by His power to occur without fail. In this chapter, we have seen that we are both adopted and preserved. We can never lose our salvation because adopted sons/daughters cannot ever be disinherited. We will be preserved for all eternity, regardless of what life or the enemy might bring. We know with confidence that these things will happen because it is predestined to happen.
Some people believe that predestination means that God "predetermined" that some people would be saved and that other people would not be saved. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Bible makes it clear that God desires for all men to be saved. This verse is not about who gets saved, but what happens when we are saved.
God decided before He started this entire human drama that He would have a church. He did not predetermine who would be in that church and who would not, but requires of each person a choice to accept or reject Him as their God. He decided that He would make those who chose to be a part of His church become like Jesus. That is a process that begins while we are on earth and is completed once and for all when we are ultimately gathered together in heaven to live in His presence forever. (See verse 10)
We know all believers will be made to be like Jesus because it is His will. This verse tells us that all Christians have an inheritance waiting in heaven – because we are His adopted children. It is even given in past tense. Why is it written in past tense if we will not receive it until we go to heaven? Because it will happen as if it already did happen. God sealed it as our destiny as His children. Nothing can change that because it is His loving desire for it to happen.
You need never doubt your salvation. You need never worry about heaven. Why? Because you have an inheritance waiting there that has been sealed by the blood of Jesus. God predestined you to receive that inheritance in Jesus Christ. Your eternal future was sealed by the power of God through Jesus. Can you be any more safe? Are you thankful for that truth on a daily basis?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Day 12 Ephesians 1:10
DAY 12
“that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him.” Ephesians 1:10
At first glance, this verse may seem convoluted or even intimidating to read. It has some strange concepts – dispensation. It has a cryptic message – “gather in one all things.” What in the world does all of that mean?
It is really very simple. I am preserved for eternity because of my identity in Jesus Christ. This verse simply says when God is finished with all that He plans to do on earth He will gather us to Himself in heaven to spend eternity together. He promises in this verse that He will preserve us from now until that day. When that day arrives, He will gather together both the folks still on earth and the folks already with Him in heaven.
This is not a question, a possibility, or even an opportunity, it is a promise! It means that nothing can ever keep you from this divine appointment. Nothing anyone does to you can keep you from an eternity with God because you are preserved. Nothing in any life situation can prevent you from spending eternity in heaven because you are preserved. There should not be any fear to step out in faith to obey the Lord in any situation that might come because you are preserved in Jesus.
“that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him.” Ephesians 1:10
At first glance, this verse may seem convoluted or even intimidating to read. It has some strange concepts – dispensation. It has a cryptic message – “gather in one all things.” What in the world does all of that mean?
It is really very simple. I am preserved for eternity because of my identity in Jesus Christ. This verse simply says when God is finished with all that He plans to do on earth He will gather us to Himself in heaven to spend eternity together. He promises in this verse that He will preserve us from now until that day. When that day arrives, He will gather together both the folks still on earth and the folks already with Him in heaven.
This is not a question, a possibility, or even an opportunity, it is a promise! It means that nothing can ever keep you from this divine appointment. Nothing anyone does to you can keep you from an eternity with God because you are preserved. Nothing in any life situation can prevent you from spending eternity in heaven because you are preserved. There should not be any fear to step out in faith to obey the Lord in any situation that might come because you are preserved in Jesus.
Day 11 Ephesians 1:9
DAY 11
“having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,” Ephesians 1:9
This list of blessings from heaven continues with verse 9. Today you can say that “I am blessed with a purpose because of who I am in Jesus Christ.” This verse tells us that God has purpose for each of us because of who we are. It only makes sense when you know you are accepted and adopted, as well as purchased.
We know from this verse that God purposed this plan “in Himself”, which means that it was dreamed from the context of His person, His love, and mind. That is significant. God loves you so much that He purchased you. That is significant. It means that God’s plan must be loving and in your best interest. He could not and would not make any other kind of plan from His heart and perspective. His plan is according to His good pleasure. If it gives Him pleasure to accept you, to adopt you, and to purchase you, then a plan of His pleasure could only be to further these ideals from His heart.
Too often, we get the idea that being a Christian is somehow a terrible thing. Jesus did not die on the cross for simply so He could purchase the right to make you miserable. We fight against doing the right thing in tough situations. We do it because of our selfish desires to have things the way we want them to be. We must learn the truth that God has a purpose for each of our lives. His purpose comes from His heart and furthers His desires for us as His children.
When we recognize that God has a purpose in every situation we face, that gives a sense of meaning to every situation. It gives a sense of peace to know that the purpose is a loving one. We must learn to search for His purpose. This verse says He will make it known to us. That only makes sense when you consider the fact that Jesus died for us in order to purchase our lives so we could participate in this plan.
What does it mean for your life today to know that there is a purpose from God’s heart? What about the decision you are facing? What about that difficult circumstance you are in? What difference does it make to be purchased towards a God designed purpose?
“having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,” Ephesians 1:9
This list of blessings from heaven continues with verse 9. Today you can say that “I am blessed with a purpose because of who I am in Jesus Christ.” This verse tells us that God has purpose for each of us because of who we are. It only makes sense when you know you are accepted and adopted, as well as purchased.
We know from this verse that God purposed this plan “in Himself”, which means that it was dreamed from the context of His person, His love, and mind. That is significant. God loves you so much that He purchased you. That is significant. It means that God’s plan must be loving and in your best interest. He could not and would not make any other kind of plan from His heart and perspective. His plan is according to His good pleasure. If it gives Him pleasure to accept you, to adopt you, and to purchase you, then a plan of His pleasure could only be to further these ideals from His heart.
Too often, we get the idea that being a Christian is somehow a terrible thing. Jesus did not die on the cross for simply so He could purchase the right to make you miserable. We fight against doing the right thing in tough situations. We do it because of our selfish desires to have things the way we want them to be. We must learn the truth that God has a purpose for each of our lives. His purpose comes from His heart and furthers His desires for us as His children.
When we recognize that God has a purpose in every situation we face, that gives a sense of meaning to every situation. It gives a sense of peace to know that the purpose is a loving one. We must learn to search for His purpose. This verse says He will make it known to us. That only makes sense when you consider the fact that Jesus died for us in order to purchase our lives so we could participate in this plan.
What does it mean for your life today to know that there is a purpose from God’s heart? What about the decision you are facing? What about that difficult circumstance you are in? What difference does it make to be purchased towards a God designed purpose?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Day 10 Ephesians 1:8
DAY 10
“…which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,” Ephesians 1:8
Today, we will look at the next truth of your identity in Christ. You are prudent because you are in Christ. This verse tells us that God lavishes upon us, in abundance, wisdom and prudence.
In today’s world wisdom is in terribly short supply. It continually amazes me how people who are educated, intelligent, and even involved consistently in church, will make some of the worst and most ridiculous decisions. There is a constant stream of people who led foolishly risky lives and then are amazed when they get hurt.
God changes you when He saves you. He changes your heart, desires, mindset, and future. He blesses you in a supernatural way with a new way of thinking and new insights into life. This is not an information dump into your brain. He does not boost your I.Q.
Instead, He blesses you with heavenly wisdom and prudence. Wisdom means an understanding and insight into the things that really matter in life: life, death, future, eternity, etc. The word prudence places an emphasis on practical decisions made on an everyday basis. You are blessed with both types of insight because you are in Christ.
You should learn to understand your prudence and make better decision by considering who you are in Christ. Wisdom helps you see priorities better. It helps you stay focused on things that matter – family, your walk with Christ, living for eternity. Prudence helps you see traps and temptations in life/s moments. It helps you know what to say and when to be silent. You are blessed with heavenly prudence.
Learn to use what God has given you. Stay close to Him through a daily quiet time and you will become more accustomed to hearing His guidance. Through studying His word, your perspective of life will reflect the teachings of scripture. These exercises will heighten your focus on who you are in Jesus. You will be amazed at how prudent you actually are because you belong to the Lord.
“…which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,” Ephesians 1:8
Today, we will look at the next truth of your identity in Christ. You are prudent because you are in Christ. This verse tells us that God lavishes upon us, in abundance, wisdom and prudence.
In today’s world wisdom is in terribly short supply. It continually amazes me how people who are educated, intelligent, and even involved consistently in church, will make some of the worst and most ridiculous decisions. There is a constant stream of people who led foolishly risky lives and then are amazed when they get hurt.
God changes you when He saves you. He changes your heart, desires, mindset, and future. He blesses you in a supernatural way with a new way of thinking and new insights into life. This is not an information dump into your brain. He does not boost your I.Q.
Instead, He blesses you with heavenly wisdom and prudence. Wisdom means an understanding and insight into the things that really matter in life: life, death, future, eternity, etc. The word prudence places an emphasis on practical decisions made on an everyday basis. You are blessed with both types of insight because you are in Christ.
You should learn to understand your prudence and make better decision by considering who you are in Christ. Wisdom helps you see priorities better. It helps you stay focused on things that matter – family, your walk with Christ, living for eternity. Prudence helps you see traps and temptations in life/s moments. It helps you know what to say and when to be silent. You are blessed with heavenly prudence.
Learn to use what God has given you. Stay close to Him through a daily quiet time and you will become more accustomed to hearing His guidance. Through studying His word, your perspective of life will reflect the teachings of scripture. These exercises will heighten your focus on who you are in Jesus. You will be amazed at how prudent you actually are because you belong to the Lord.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Day 9 Ephesians 1:7
DAY 9
“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,…” Ephesians 1:7
Remember that in verse 3, Paul told us to praise the Lord because we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing.” Beginning with this verse, you are about to be given a list of those blessings. They are your identity in Christ because you were adopted. You can read this list in this way: “I am _______ because I am in Christ.”
The first of these truths of who you are is that you are purchased because you are in Christ. This verse says you were “redeemed.” That simply means that Jesus paid the ransom needed to purchase you from slavery. He purchased you with His blood.
In our society, we learn to judge things by value. We assign a higher price to thins that are more valuable. In church leadership circles, you learn this lesson in many ways. For example, I have learned that people will judge the value of an event based upon the ticket price. If you have a free event, people bring a particular mindset. They always treat the event as less valuable, even to the point of skipping despite signing up to attend. It is often the best policy to charge a ticket because people value the event more. They take their reservations seriously and attend. They come to the event with a predisposition to learn because they purchased a ticket. This is true because the ticket price, even when it is a nominal one, creates a greater sense of value.
This should help you better understand what it means to be purchased. Jesus deems you valuable and therefore redeemed you with His blood. That is your worth to Him. That price is so high, it establishes a great spiritual value to your life, future, and eternity.
We often struggle in life with doubts as to who we are. We struggle with our sense of worth. We sell ourselves to sin because we do not understand just how valuable we are to God. If you knew you were priceless to God, you would make life choices in an entirely different manner.
It means a great deal to be purchased. Ask the Lord to show you today – in view of what Jesus paid for you – just how valuable you are to Him. Is there an area of your life that you are making decisions based on a faulty view of your value? Train to see yourself as purchased!
“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,…” Ephesians 1:7
Remember that in verse 3, Paul told us to praise the Lord because we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing.” Beginning with this verse, you are about to be given a list of those blessings. They are your identity in Christ because you were adopted. You can read this list in this way: “I am _______ because I am in Christ.”
The first of these truths of who you are is that you are purchased because you are in Christ. This verse says you were “redeemed.” That simply means that Jesus paid the ransom needed to purchase you from slavery. He purchased you with His blood.
In our society, we learn to judge things by value. We assign a higher price to thins that are more valuable. In church leadership circles, you learn this lesson in many ways. For example, I have learned that people will judge the value of an event based upon the ticket price. If you have a free event, people bring a particular mindset. They always treat the event as less valuable, even to the point of skipping despite signing up to attend. It is often the best policy to charge a ticket because people value the event more. They take their reservations seriously and attend. They come to the event with a predisposition to learn because they purchased a ticket. This is true because the ticket price, even when it is a nominal one, creates a greater sense of value.
This should help you better understand what it means to be purchased. Jesus deems you valuable and therefore redeemed you with His blood. That is your worth to Him. That price is so high, it establishes a great spiritual value to your life, future, and eternity.
We often struggle in life with doubts as to who we are. We struggle with our sense of worth. We sell ourselves to sin because we do not understand just how valuable we are to God. If you knew you were priceless to God, you would make life choices in an entirely different manner.
It means a great deal to be purchased. Ask the Lord to show you today – in view of what Jesus paid for you – just how valuable you are to Him. Is there an area of your life that you are making decisions based on a faulty view of your value? Train to see yourself as purchased!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Day 8 Ephesians 1:7
Day 8
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” Ephesians 1:7
Too often we attempt to define God by the perspective of human experiences. For example, one of the most difficult things in life is to ask for forgiveness. One of the few things that is more difficult than asking for forgiveness is actually forgiving someone who has wronged you. Because we know and feel the difficulty in forgiving someone who has hurt us, we assume that God must have the same reticence in forgiving us. When combined with our natural distaste for seeking forgiveness, it is not difficult to understand why we struggle in seeking God's forgiveness.
These human experiences however bear no resemblance to God's perspective on forgiveness. There is no reticence in His heart to forgive. This verse reminds us that Jesus willingly shed His blood in order to forgive our sins. That forgiveness is unlimited. That is why His forgiveness is “according to the riches of His grace.” This verse contains many important truths. It is possible that no truth is more valuable to us than to understand God's perspective of forgiveness. Remember, you can never out sin God's willingness to forgive because His grace is so rich it never runs dry.
This verse also makes it clear that you do not earn this forgiveness – it is not of your doing. You are free from any effort. The only thing you must do is trust in Jesus – trust “in Him.” Do not be afraid to approach Him for forgiveness. Do not be afraid to ask Him to forgive because He shed His blood in order to forgive you. There is no scenario in which your honest repentance and trust “in Him” would not result in His forgiveness – that is the richness of the blessing Jesus purchased for you with His blood.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” Ephesians 1:7
Too often we attempt to define God by the perspective of human experiences. For example, one of the most difficult things in life is to ask for forgiveness. One of the few things that is more difficult than asking for forgiveness is actually forgiving someone who has wronged you. Because we know and feel the difficulty in forgiving someone who has hurt us, we assume that God must have the same reticence in forgiving us. When combined with our natural distaste for seeking forgiveness, it is not difficult to understand why we struggle in seeking God's forgiveness.
These human experiences however bear no resemblance to God's perspective on forgiveness. There is no reticence in His heart to forgive. This verse reminds us that Jesus willingly shed His blood in order to forgive our sins. That forgiveness is unlimited. That is why His forgiveness is “according to the riches of His grace.” This verse contains many important truths. It is possible that no truth is more valuable to us than to understand God's perspective of forgiveness. Remember, you can never out sin God's willingness to forgive because His grace is so rich it never runs dry.
This verse also makes it clear that you do not earn this forgiveness – it is not of your doing. You are free from any effort. The only thing you must do is trust in Jesus – trust “in Him.” Do not be afraid to approach Him for forgiveness. Do not be afraid to ask Him to forgive because He shed His blood in order to forgive you. There is no scenario in which your honest repentance and trust “in Him” would not result in His forgiveness – that is the richness of the blessing Jesus purchased for you with His blood.
Day 7 Ephesians 1:6
“to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Ephesians 1:6
Acceptance is a powerful concept. We all struggle with being accepted. When you are accepted by someone important it is awesome! I remember preparing to propose to my wife. Talk about scared. I was physically ill for three days and did not sleep for two. Even though we had dated for four years, the risk was till terrifying. When she accepted, there was a weird combination of relief, joy, shouting, and pride that I had been accepted. It is still etched into my memory as one of the absolute greatest moments of my life.
Even that moment does not capture the truth of what it means to be accepted into the presence of God. In Jesus we are just that - accepted. Any time you have a need, you are accepted. Anytime you are afraid and need to be comforted, you are accepted. Anytime you are at a loss, you are accepted. Even when you fail miserably, you are accepted.
Here is another great truth: you do not have to do anything to be accepted. He did all o the work. The verse says that specifically – “by which He made us accepted.” God did that for you. He did it through Jesus the Beloved. There is no concept of earning or deserving this blessing. You are accepted because of your identity in Jesus.
Satan as our enemy does not want you to understand that you are accepted. He would prefer you to believe you are alone and rejected. He would prefer for you to think in terms of performance, that you must earn acceptance or that you can lose it through poor performance.
That is a lie! Never be hesitant to come before God. Your adoptive Father has accepted you in Jesus and will not and cannot reject you. That is grace. Today carry that thought with you and praise Him for the astounding blessing of being accepted.
Ephesians 1:6
Acceptance is a powerful concept. We all struggle with being accepted. When you are accepted by someone important it is awesome! I remember preparing to propose to my wife. Talk about scared. I was physically ill for three days and did not sleep for two. Even though we had dated for four years, the risk was till terrifying. When she accepted, there was a weird combination of relief, joy, shouting, and pride that I had been accepted. It is still etched into my memory as one of the absolute greatest moments of my life.
Even that moment does not capture the truth of what it means to be accepted into the presence of God. In Jesus we are just that - accepted. Any time you have a need, you are accepted. Anytime you are afraid and need to be comforted, you are accepted. Anytime you are at a loss, you are accepted. Even when you fail miserably, you are accepted.
Here is another great truth: you do not have to do anything to be accepted. He did all o the work. The verse says that specifically – “by which He made us accepted.” God did that for you. He did it through Jesus the Beloved. There is no concept of earning or deserving this blessing. You are accepted because of your identity in Jesus.
Satan as our enemy does not want you to understand that you are accepted. He would prefer you to believe you are alone and rejected. He would prefer for you to think in terms of performance, that you must earn acceptance or that you can lose it through poor performance.
That is a lie! Never be hesitant to come before God. Your adoptive Father has accepted you in Jesus and will not and cannot reject you. That is grace. Today carry that thought with you and praise Him for the astounding blessing of being accepted.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day 6 Ephesians 1:5
Day 6
“…, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” Ephesians 1:5
My name is John Gregory Addison. That means I am the son of John and Janice Addison. I have my father’s mind and my mother’s heart. I look and am shaped like my mom. I have a number of mannerisms that are remarkably similar to my dad. I am in large measure who I am because of the combination of genes and environment of John and Janice Addison.
They taught me. They feed me. They loved me. They modeled life for me. They have provided for me. They have written me into their will – at least so far. I believe they would not write me out of their will no matter what I did because I am their son. Home is in Memphis, Tennessee where mom and dad raised me. I am John Gregory Addison. It is my identity.
You were adopted permanently and irrevocably into the family of God when you trusted Jesus as your Savior. It is your identity. Pastors often speak of our “identity in Christ.” That means who you are. The importance of this chapter is about to unfold in a huge, mind-boggling way. You are about to see your identity. It is who you are because you are His child.
This is critical in every aspect of your life. You are about to discover that you are beloved beyond your wildest imagination, supernaturally wise, supernaturally powerful, never alone, always on track, and a myriad of other things. This is not something that will happen, but has already happened! It is who you are. It is your identity. Get ready to learn who you really are – not who you feel like you are. The truth will amaze you.
“…, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” Ephesians 1:5
My name is John Gregory Addison. That means I am the son of John and Janice Addison. I have my father’s mind and my mother’s heart. I look and am shaped like my mom. I have a number of mannerisms that are remarkably similar to my dad. I am in large measure who I am because of the combination of genes and environment of John and Janice Addison.
They taught me. They feed me. They loved me. They modeled life for me. They have provided for me. They have written me into their will – at least so far. I believe they would not write me out of their will no matter what I did because I am their son. Home is in Memphis, Tennessee where mom and dad raised me. I am John Gregory Addison. It is my identity.
You were adopted permanently and irrevocably into the family of God when you trusted Jesus as your Savior. It is your identity. Pastors often speak of our “identity in Christ.” That means who you are. The importance of this chapter is about to unfold in a huge, mind-boggling way. You are about to see your identity. It is who you are because you are His child.
This is critical in every aspect of your life. You are about to discover that you are beloved beyond your wildest imagination, supernaturally wise, supernaturally powerful, never alone, always on track, and a myriad of other things. This is not something that will happen, but has already happened! It is who you are. It is your identity. Get ready to learn who you really are – not who you feel like you are. The truth will amaze you.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Da y 5 Ephesians 1:5
Day 5
“…, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” Ephesians 1:5
Adoption is a wonderful act. It is an act of love with the intentional purpose to give the child a life they would not receive otherwise. It is an act of sacrifice to take on the responsibility to love and care for a person for the rest of their lives. Adoption is a serious choice never made lightly, but intentionally and thoughtfully. Adoption in Paul’s day was irrevocable – an adopted child could never be disinherited.
How much does God love you? It was His pleasure to adopt you. He chose to love you and adopt you before you ever loved Him. (I John 4:10) He paid the price for you by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary. The fact that your adoption was “predestined” means that it can never be revoked.
The picture of adoption illustrates in a powerful way just how much God loves you. Why would God choose to lavish on us “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places” as we learned in verse 3? Because you are His adopted child! You are blessed and you are a child – these two truths are synonymous.
You are an adopted child of the God of the universe. This should affect your worship. This should affect your loyalty to your adoptive Father. This should affect your choices. This should shape how you face your life. You should have a grateful outlook because you are loved forever, never to be disinherited from any spiritual blessing that exists in heaven, because God chose to adopt you.
“…, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” Ephesians 1:5
Adoption is a wonderful act. It is an act of love with the intentional purpose to give the child a life they would not receive otherwise. It is an act of sacrifice to take on the responsibility to love and care for a person for the rest of their lives. Adoption is a serious choice never made lightly, but intentionally and thoughtfully. Adoption in Paul’s day was irrevocable – an adopted child could never be disinherited.
How much does God love you? It was His pleasure to adopt you. He chose to love you and adopt you before you ever loved Him. (I John 4:10) He paid the price for you by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary. The fact that your adoption was “predestined” means that it can never be revoked.
The picture of adoption illustrates in a powerful way just how much God loves you. Why would God choose to lavish on us “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places” as we learned in verse 3? Because you are His adopted child! You are blessed and you are a child – these two truths are synonymous.
You are an adopted child of the God of the universe. This should affect your worship. This should affect your loyalty to your adoptive Father. This should affect your choices. This should shape how you face your life. You should have a grateful outlook because you are loved forever, never to be disinherited from any spiritual blessing that exists in heaven, because God chose to adopt you.
Day 4 Ephesians 1:4
Day 4
“…, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:4
God always moves with purpose and design. Because God never changes, His purpose never changes. That includes His purpose for your life – that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. In fact, this has been His purpose since before the foundation of the world.
We are fickle in our purposes. We run hot and cold about saving money, hobbies, goals, home improvement projects, etc. We are excited about something one year and two years later it is a distant memory. This manner of “life meandering” creates a struggle in our spiritual development. We lose focus.
God never looses focus. He began designing you before He made the world. He designed you to be His. He will not stop molding you as His creation until He completes this task in heaven. All of the blessings God gives us in Christ are tools for His purpose – to make us holy and blameless.
This purpose of making you holy is why you are a “saint” when you have made Jesus your Savior and Lord. Remember that in verse 1 Paul defined his audience as saints. God would not bother to set you apart unless it was for something specific. He would not require Jesus’ death unless He was setting you apart to something special and worthy. He would not have made a plan before the beginning of time, and stayed with it throughout all of recorded history until now, unless it was worthy of such focus and effort on His part. He would not have invested every spiritual blessing as a reward in that plan if it was not a worthy plan. God deems your holiness as worthy of all of those efforts.
Take some time to consider your life today from His perspective. What is going well? What needs to be pruned and shaped to become blameless? Some things you are facing should look significantly different after this thought. They are part of God’s working His eternal purpose in you. He will not loose focus. It would greatly benefit you to re-focus your perspective and align it with His purpose. How focused are you in allowing God to work in you to make you blameless?
“…, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:4
God always moves with purpose and design. Because God never changes, His purpose never changes. That includes His purpose for your life – that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. In fact, this has been His purpose since before the foundation of the world.
We are fickle in our purposes. We run hot and cold about saving money, hobbies, goals, home improvement projects, etc. We are excited about something one year and two years later it is a distant memory. This manner of “life meandering” creates a struggle in our spiritual development. We lose focus.
God never looses focus. He began designing you before He made the world. He designed you to be His. He will not stop molding you as His creation until He completes this task in heaven. All of the blessings God gives us in Christ are tools for His purpose – to make us holy and blameless.
This purpose of making you holy is why you are a “saint” when you have made Jesus your Savior and Lord. Remember that in verse 1 Paul defined his audience as saints. God would not bother to set you apart unless it was for something specific. He would not require Jesus’ death unless He was setting you apart to something special and worthy. He would not have made a plan before the beginning of time, and stayed with it throughout all of recorded history until now, unless it was worthy of such focus and effort on His part. He would not have invested every spiritual blessing as a reward in that plan if it was not a worthy plan. God deems your holiness as worthy of all of those efforts.
Take some time to consider your life today from His perspective. What is going well? What needs to be pruned and shaped to become blameless? Some things you are facing should look significantly different after this thought. They are part of God’s working His eternal purpose in you. He will not loose focus. It would greatly benefit you to re-focus your perspective and align it with His purpose. How focused are you in allowing God to work in you to make you blameless?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Day 3 Ephesians 1:3
DAY 3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3
This verse holds the key to unlocking the meaning and power of this chapter. It is the phrase “in Christ.” Paul’s heart praises God as the source of every blessing that exists in all of heaven! Can you imagine the profound meaning of that statement? If someone were to ask you why they should become a Christian, a great answer is “for every spiritual blessing.”
That is WHY this chapter is on my list of favorites. But this begs a significant question: Why do our lives as Christians not rise to such a level of greatness that they shine for Jesus? Because we do not live our daily lives with the understanding of what it means to be blessed “in Christ.”
The phrase “in Christ” is not only the key to interpreting this passage of scripture, it is the key to experiencing the power of God in your life. Every blessing conceived in the omnipotent heart of God flows to and through the person who is living “in Christ.” There are two requirements for living “in Christ” and Paul has reiterated them several times already in just three verses. First, you must have trusted Jesus as your savior. Five times in the first three verses of this chapter Paul states that Jesus is the Christ – the anointed sacrifice for sin. He says it twice in this verse alone.
Second, you must live under His Lordship. Paul refers in verse one to those who are faithful in Christ Jesus. Are you faithful to make Him Lord? Do you follow His commands? The blessings are found in obedience. They flow out of a life lived in surrender to His Lordship. But always remember that Lordship brings “every spiritual blessing!”
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3
This verse holds the key to unlocking the meaning and power of this chapter. It is the phrase “in Christ.” Paul’s heart praises God as the source of every blessing that exists in all of heaven! Can you imagine the profound meaning of that statement? If someone were to ask you why they should become a Christian, a great answer is “for every spiritual blessing.”
That is WHY this chapter is on my list of favorites. But this begs a significant question: Why do our lives as Christians not rise to such a level of greatness that they shine for Jesus? Because we do not live our daily lives with the understanding of what it means to be blessed “in Christ.”
The phrase “in Christ” is not only the key to interpreting this passage of scripture, it is the key to experiencing the power of God in your life. Every blessing conceived in the omnipotent heart of God flows to and through the person who is living “in Christ.” There are two requirements for living “in Christ” and Paul has reiterated them several times already in just three verses. First, you must have trusted Jesus as your savior. Five times in the first three verses of this chapter Paul states that Jesus is the Christ – the anointed sacrifice for sin. He says it twice in this verse alone.
Second, you must live under His Lordship. Paul refers in verse one to those who are faithful in Christ Jesus. Are you faithful to make Him Lord? Do you follow His commands? The blessings are found in obedience. They flow out of a life lived in surrender to His Lordship. But always remember that Lordship brings “every spiritual blessing!”
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 2 Ephesians 1:2
DAY 2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2
As a college student at the University of Memphis, I was required to attend a business communications course. It was a class that you hated as a nineteen year old, but later wished you had taken more seriously. We did simple things like learn the proper form for writing a professional letter that would actually communicate your purpose clearly and present the proper impression of you as a writer.
The first principle you learn is to start your letter with a clear statement of your purpose. If you fail to communicate your purpose in the first sentence or two, then you simply have not clarified yourself and you will lose or confuse your audience.
Paul understood this fundamental principle. His purpose as an apostle was to point people to Jesus. His purpose was to share the gospel with unbelievers so they would understand that their only answer to life’s questions and search for peace was God’s grace. He communicated to believers the peace that comes only through making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.
Yesterday you were reminded you are a saint – “set apart” for a purpose. As a saint with a God-designed purpose, do you have the same clarity? Does your life point people to the grace and peace found only in Jesus?
All we do should be nothing more than a context for our purpose. We should pursue this purpose with the same clarity as Paul. It is foremost and clear from our lives in every way. As we progress through this chapter, we will learn who we are in Christ. But God remakes us to be like Jesus for a singular purpose - to live out and communicate grace and peace through Jesus to those around us.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2
As a college student at the University of Memphis, I was required to attend a business communications course. It was a class that you hated as a nineteen year old, but later wished you had taken more seriously. We did simple things like learn the proper form for writing a professional letter that would actually communicate your purpose clearly and present the proper impression of you as a writer.
The first principle you learn is to start your letter with a clear statement of your purpose. If you fail to communicate your purpose in the first sentence or two, then you simply have not clarified yourself and you will lose or confuse your audience.
Paul understood this fundamental principle. His purpose as an apostle was to point people to Jesus. His purpose was to share the gospel with unbelievers so they would understand that their only answer to life’s questions and search for peace was God’s grace. He communicated to believers the peace that comes only through making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.
Yesterday you were reminded you are a saint – “set apart” for a purpose. As a saint with a God-designed purpose, do you have the same clarity? Does your life point people to the grace and peace found only in Jesus?
All we do should be nothing more than a context for our purpose. We should pursue this purpose with the same clarity as Paul. It is foremost and clear from our lives in every way. As we progress through this chapter, we will learn who we are in Christ. But God remakes us to be like Jesus for a singular purpose - to live out and communicate grace and peace through Jesus to those around us.
Day One - Ephesians 1:1
DAY 1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus... Ephesians 1:1
I can only imagine how Paul had to stop and pause every time he wrote something like this verse. His heart must have skipped a beat. He could not help but wonder at the irony of the statement “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus.” Paul – the Hebrew of Hebrews and the defender of the honor of the Hebrew faith against the heresy of the so-called Christians.
How could it be that Paul of all men became a follower of Christ? And not just a follower, but an apostle! From a leader of the Hebrews to a leader of those who followed Jesus Christ. How does such a radical journey occur? Paul cannot marvel at the statement without immediately stating the answer: “by the will of God.”
Paul then plainly connects the dots for his audience. Saints are those who are set apart for Christ. We as believers are blessed by the same truth as Paul. Do not ever forget that God has a plan for your life – a specific and amazing plan. This design was conceived in the heart of God before your were saved, or even born. But it is a plan God has designed and wills for you. We go about our lives and daily experiences and too often forget that I am what I am by the grace of God. He has a design for you. As you go forward today, try changing your perspective. Look at your life as Paul did: “I am ____, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” How this truth that you are a “set apart” saint makes such a difference!
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus... Ephesians 1:1
I can only imagine how Paul had to stop and pause every time he wrote something like this verse. His heart must have skipped a beat. He could not help but wonder at the irony of the statement “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus.” Paul – the Hebrew of Hebrews and the defender of the honor of the Hebrew faith against the heresy of the so-called Christians.
How could it be that Paul of all men became a follower of Christ? And not just a follower, but an apostle! From a leader of the Hebrews to a leader of those who followed Jesus Christ. How does such a radical journey occur? Paul cannot marvel at the statement without immediately stating the answer: “by the will of God.”
Paul then plainly connects the dots for his audience. Saints are those who are set apart for Christ. We as believers are blessed by the same truth as Paul. Do not ever forget that God has a plan for your life – a specific and amazing plan. This design was conceived in the heart of God before your were saved, or even born. But it is a plan God has designed and wills for you. We go about our lives and daily experiences and too often forget that I am what I am by the grace of God. He has a design for you. As you go forward today, try changing your perspective. Look at your life as Paul did: “I am ____, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” How this truth that you are a “set apart” saint makes such a difference!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ephesians 1 Starts Tomorrow
Tomorrow will begin the devotions for Ephesians 1and I am very excited! I reviewed my notes some over the weekend and was excited again at what a great chapter this is for believers. I hope you will join me tomorrow for Day One. If you haven't invited a friend to check out My Favorite Devotions, then this is the perfect time - from the beginning.
If you have not done so, then I would encourage you to simply review Ephesians 1 today before we start tomorrow. And get ready to be blessed and encouraged.
If you have not done so, then I would encourage you to simply review Ephesians 1 today before we start tomorrow. And get ready to be blessed and encouraged.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Day One Coming Next Wednesday
Next week I will start the first 30 day journey through one of my favorite chapters - Ephesians 1. If you are interested in getting started now, then simply try reading a few verses a day between now and then. This will get you familiar with the chapter.
The first exercise in studying any chapter is to simply read it over. If you use the inductive bible study method, this is the phase referred to as "observation." Just get familiar with it before we start on together on Wednesday.
Do not worry about spending too much time in a chapter. That is impossible, especially with this one. The bible was meant to "soak in" and not "speed through." Soaking in a passage gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to "peel back the layers" and show you the wonderful meanings that are built into a scripture. It also gives the Holy Spirit the chance to apply it more directly to your life.
I hope you are looking forward to Ephesians 1. I know I am!
The first exercise in studying any chapter is to simply read it over. If you use the inductive bible study method, this is the phase referred to as "observation." Just get familiar with it before we start on together on Wednesday.
Do not worry about spending too much time in a chapter. That is impossible, especially with this one. The bible was meant to "soak in" and not "speed through." Soaking in a passage gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to "peel back the layers" and show you the wonderful meanings that are built into a scripture. It also gives the Holy Spirit the chance to apply it more directly to your life.
I hope you are looking forward to Ephesians 1. I know I am!
Monday, August 31, 2009
First Chapter - Ephesians 1
I am excited to announce that the first chapter we will study will be Ephesians 1. This is an incredible chapter and should be "dog-eared" from use in every christian's Bible. The theme of this chapter is "who we are in Christ."
Many believers today struggle in their walk with Jesus because they do not really have a strong comprehension of what happened to them when they gave their life to Jesus. Ephesians 1:3 states that "every spiritual blessing" in heaven became yours through Jesus. EVERY ONE!
You will be amazed when you discover the power, the peace, and the wisdom that is already yours in your life. The reason we do not feel like we have these things is because we simply do not understand who we are in Jesus.
I hope you will join me in this first study. It only takes a few minutes each day - but that is all that is necessary to learn what happened to you when you gave your life to Jesus Christ!
Many believers today struggle in their walk with Jesus because they do not really have a strong comprehension of what happened to them when they gave their life to Jesus. Ephesians 1:3 states that "every spiritual blessing" in heaven became yours through Jesus. EVERY ONE!
You will be amazed when you discover the power, the peace, and the wisdom that is already yours in your life. The reason we do not feel like we have these things is because we simply do not understand who we are in Jesus.
I hope you will join me in this first study. It only takes a few minutes each day - but that is all that is necessary to learn what happened to you when you gave your life to Jesus Christ!
Using the Devotions Blog
The greatest joy in the life of a christian is to spend time with Jesus Christ. As a pastor, I have discovered that the most important thing in the life of a christian is the time they spend alone with Jesus Christ. Those who spend time with Jesus developing their relationship with Him through the disciplines of prayer and bible study have a greater sense of peace, wisdom, joy, and blessing.
Because it is so wonderful and powerful in the life of a follower of Jesus, the enemy Satan works overtime to create barriers and obstacles to the time we spend devotionally with Jesus. If he can defeat us in this area of our lives, then he wins far more battles with us.
That is why I have developed this site. It is my desire to help christians spend time developing their relationship withe Jesus by creating a tool to help them develop the discipline of daily relationship time with Jesus. The format of a blog is simple and easy to use. it is easily accessible from anywhere at anytime. It fits into our lifestyles and culture well.
The format will be simple. In just a few days from this posting, I will begin the first chapter. You can begin at anytime by reading "Day One." The scripture verse will be at the top of the entry. You simply review the verse and then read the short devotional thought for that particular verse. Carry the ideas and thought with you for the day. Then continue by reading "Day 2" and so on. It could not be more simple.
It is my prayer you will be blessed. It is my hope you will find this a tool to help you develop the discipline of daily "relationship time with Jesus." It is joy to know that you will be excited and equipped from studying the incredible chapters that we will work through together in these devotions from my favorite chapters of the bible.
Because it is so wonderful and powerful in the life of a follower of Jesus, the enemy Satan works overtime to create barriers and obstacles to the time we spend devotionally with Jesus. If he can defeat us in this area of our lives, then he wins far more battles with us.
That is why I have developed this site. It is my desire to help christians spend time developing their relationship withe Jesus by creating a tool to help them develop the discipline of daily relationship time with Jesus. The format of a blog is simple and easy to use. it is easily accessible from anywhere at anytime. It fits into our lifestyles and culture well.
The format will be simple. In just a few days from this posting, I will begin the first chapter. You can begin at anytime by reading "Day One." The scripture verse will be at the top of the entry. You simply review the verse and then read the short devotional thought for that particular verse. Carry the ideas and thought with you for the day. Then continue by reading "Day 2" and so on. It could not be more simple.
It is my prayer you will be blessed. It is my hope you will find this a tool to help you develop the discipline of daily "relationship time with Jesus." It is joy to know that you will be excited and equipped from studying the incredible chapters that we will work through together in these devotions from my favorite chapters of the bible.
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