John 15,16
There was much Jesus had to tell his disciples before he left them. Much of what he told them was a little disturbing like his instruction; "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."John 15:18
Those aren't very encouraging words. It's not encouraging to know that the world would be against them but this is the cost of discipleship. Jesus reminded them, "No servant is greater then his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." And why? because they bear his name and proclaim his name. They would be light in a dark world and just as the world did not like Jesus light they would not like there light for they were the body of Christ. If you read through the book of Acts you will see evidence that Jesus words did indeed come true.
But it wasn't just the words about persecution that came true. His words about the power of the Holy Spirit working through them also came true. We remember that Jesus told them about this as well. Back in John 14:12 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
These words seem to be for the first Century Christians that is for sure. They obeyed him, they accepted the pruning and the persecution, and they abided and loved him and they loved each other. As a result great things happened.
I wonder are Jesus world in John 15 and 16 for us today as well? You might say, "But I don't see that kind of open persecution in my life" and you might say "I don't see that kind of power in my life."
Could it be if we truly proclaimed the message of Christ we might see the good and the bad. If we truly loved him and each other would we see great miracles and feel the sting of Satan working in the world to extinguish that light? I wonder. Are we living in a time of compromise. Are we living that way to avoid the pain? If we are do we know what we are really missing when it comes to seeing the Holy Spirit move through our lives?
"No pain no gain." I wonder. I wonder if when we start becoming really devoted to the Lord and he starts to prune us so we will bear more fruit; will we simply turn away? Do we turn around? Do we assume something is wrong if we start to struggle?
I believe Jesus invites us to look once again at his instruction in John 14,15,16 and 17. I think it is time for us to learn to abide and to rely upon the Holy Spirit. I think it is time for us to really love each other and the world around us.
I have to confess that I really don't like the thought of persecution but I sure do love the thought of producing "Much fruit" for the Lord. I also love the thought of experiencing the peace that passes all understanding.
Why did Jesus tell his disciples these things. It wasn't so they would be fearful. It wasn't so they would be filled with pride when they did the miracles. Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!I have overcome the world."
My thought for the day is this. He has overcome the world. Will we join him and find true peace.
Just some thought to think about along the journey.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Is Jesus God? Did he claim to be?
One of the debates that has raged through the ages is the question. "Is Jesus God?" It is clear that Jesus claimed to be the Messiah but did he claim to be God? and what difference does it make to us? I believe our salvation rests upon this debate. If Jesus claims to be God but is not God then he is a lunatic, and there is absolutely no way that we can be saved if we are following a lunatic. We also must ask, "Can we be saved if Jesus isn't the God who redeems. In other words can a mortal die for anther mortal's sins?
I believe that there is no question that the book of John paints a picture of Jesus as one who claimed to be God. In John 1:1 says, "Jesus was with God at the beginning of creation." It doesn't say in the beginning God created the word. No it said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of Men." Vs. 14 "The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth." Clearly Jesus was the Word that became flesh.
In John 3:13 "Jesus claims to be from Heaven saying, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven the Son of Man. The Pharisees clearly knew that Jesus was claiming equality with God. In John 4:18 it says, "for this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God." Later in John 4:21 it says, "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him." Here Jesus claims to receive and deserve the same honor that is due to the father.
Jesus speaking to the Pharisees in John 8:23 saying, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." From this statement it seem pretty important that we get Jesus identity correct.
but even with all of his statements which are recorded throughout the book of John, the Pharisees continued to disbelieve and threaten to kill Jesus. In John 10:33 the Pharisees proclaim, "We are not stoning you for any of these" (speaking of his miracles he had performed) "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
Did Jesus claim to be God? It seems that the religious leaders of the time believed he did, and Jesus never corrected them. Actually over and over Jesus keeps on saying in the book of John that the Father and I are one. (See especially John 17)
So why does this matter to us today? Simply because only God can save man and if Jesus claims to be God he can save but if he claims to be God and is not then he is a blasphemer just like the Pharisees claimed.
Is he God? Right now we are reading in the tenth Chapter of John. Just keep reading and keep asking that question. I believe John's gospel offers us no other conclusion. So do the investigation for yourself.
If he is God, are you following Him with your whole heart, mind and strength? It's less then two weeks to Easter. This is a great time to draw your own conclusions and walk in the light of those convictions.
So join us. On the Journey
I believe that there is no question that the book of John paints a picture of Jesus as one who claimed to be God. In John 1:1 says, "Jesus was with God at the beginning of creation." It doesn't say in the beginning God created the word. No it said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of Men." Vs. 14 "The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth." Clearly Jesus was the Word that became flesh.
In John 3:13 "Jesus claims to be from Heaven saying, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven the Son of Man. The Pharisees clearly knew that Jesus was claiming equality with God. In John 4:18 it says, "for this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God." Later in John 4:21 it says, "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him." Here Jesus claims to receive and deserve the same honor that is due to the father.
Jesus speaking to the Pharisees in John 8:23 saying, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." From this statement it seem pretty important that we get Jesus identity correct.
but even with all of his statements which are recorded throughout the book of John, the Pharisees continued to disbelieve and threaten to kill Jesus. In John 10:33 the Pharisees proclaim, "We are not stoning you for any of these" (speaking of his miracles he had performed) "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
Did Jesus claim to be God? It seems that the religious leaders of the time believed he did, and Jesus never corrected them. Actually over and over Jesus keeps on saying in the book of John that the Father and I are one. (See especially John 17)
So why does this matter to us today? Simply because only God can save man and if Jesus claims to be God he can save but if he claims to be God and is not then he is a blasphemer just like the Pharisees claimed.
Is he God? Right now we are reading in the tenth Chapter of John. Just keep reading and keep asking that question. I believe John's gospel offers us no other conclusion. So do the investigation for yourself.
If he is God, are you following Him with your whole heart, mind and strength? It's less then two weeks to Easter. This is a great time to draw your own conclusions and walk in the light of those convictions.
So join us. On the Journey
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Timid yet still standing
Based on John 7:43-52
One of the most interesting character in the drama of Jesus life was Nicodemus who was a Pharisee the one who visited Jesus secretively in the night). Nicodemus was a well respected teacher who came to Jesus out of curiosity. Jesus taught him about the need to be born again. We read his story back in John 3. We didn't hear his response back in John 3 but John brings him back for us again thus developing an interesting theme and character study. In the seventh chapter of John people were still wondering and speculating about Jesus. The leading Pharisees on the council had already made up there mind and sent guards to bring Jesus to them. Of course they could not take him because if was not yet his time. Their failure only made the Pharisees more mad especially when the guards added, "No man ever spoke like this man."
Defending Jesus wasn't exactly a popular thing to do but in his own way Nicodemus, who sought out Jesus at night, does offer a bold response. Nicodemus didn't exactly admit to believing Jesus but he did put forth a cautious opinion saying to the rest, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" I'm sure Nicodemus met with more then one frown and piercing glare. You see the Pharisees didn't really care about making a proper judgement they just wanted to get rid of Jesus. As I said it wasn't exactly a statement of faith but his boldness and Johns inclusion of this account acknowledges that timid Nicodemus was starting to come to faith.
No Nicodemus never becomes a major player in the drama of Jesus life but we do meet him yet again following Jesus death. It is Nicodemus who comes with Joseph of Arimathea to take down Jesus body from the cross and take him to the grave. It is Nicodumus who anointed his body with a mixture of myrrh and aloes about seventy five pounds. (John 19:39) This was a costly gesture both in money but also in terms of his reputation as a Pharisee.
We don't know much more about Nicodemus but my guess is that he was among the religious leaders who later became apart of the new movement of believers in Jesus and he probably helped to spread the news so that others came to faith in Christ as well. He was also probably the one responsible for giving so much details to the gospel writers so they could record events that otherwise they would not have been present to witness and later record.
God greatly used this timid man who first sought out Jesus at night away from the crowds and there would be no mistaking his allegiance when he helped to take Jesus down from the cross.
I pray that each one of us would grow in our faith and boldness regarding our witness. I pray that when the opportunity arises that we will stand up and let people know what we believe about Jesus. It may not be popular but our stance might mean salvation to many and our stand might bring great advancement to the gospel.
How will you respond when God calls you to stand up for him?
One of the most interesting character in the drama of Jesus life was Nicodemus who was a Pharisee the one who visited Jesus secretively in the night). Nicodemus was a well respected teacher who came to Jesus out of curiosity. Jesus taught him about the need to be born again. We read his story back in John 3. We didn't hear his response back in John 3 but John brings him back for us again thus developing an interesting theme and character study. In the seventh chapter of John people were still wondering and speculating about Jesus. The leading Pharisees on the council had already made up there mind and sent guards to bring Jesus to them. Of course they could not take him because if was not yet his time. Their failure only made the Pharisees more mad especially when the guards added, "No man ever spoke like this man."
Defending Jesus wasn't exactly a popular thing to do but in his own way Nicodemus, who sought out Jesus at night, does offer a bold response. Nicodemus didn't exactly admit to believing Jesus but he did put forth a cautious opinion saying to the rest, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" I'm sure Nicodemus met with more then one frown and piercing glare. You see the Pharisees didn't really care about making a proper judgement they just wanted to get rid of Jesus. As I said it wasn't exactly a statement of faith but his boldness and Johns inclusion of this account acknowledges that timid Nicodemus was starting to come to faith.
No Nicodemus never becomes a major player in the drama of Jesus life but we do meet him yet again following Jesus death. It is Nicodemus who comes with Joseph of Arimathea to take down Jesus body from the cross and take him to the grave. It is Nicodumus who anointed his body with a mixture of myrrh and aloes about seventy five pounds. (John 19:39) This was a costly gesture both in money but also in terms of his reputation as a Pharisee.
We don't know much more about Nicodemus but my guess is that he was among the religious leaders who later became apart of the new movement of believers in Jesus and he probably helped to spread the news so that others came to faith in Christ as well. He was also probably the one responsible for giving so much details to the gospel writers so they could record events that otherwise they would not have been present to witness and later record.
God greatly used this timid man who first sought out Jesus at night away from the crowds and there would be no mistaking his allegiance when he helped to take Jesus down from the cross.
I pray that each one of us would grow in our faith and boldness regarding our witness. I pray that when the opportunity arises that we will stand up and let people know what we believe about Jesus. It may not be popular but our stance might mean salvation to many and our stand might bring great advancement to the gospel.
How will you respond when God calls you to stand up for him?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Come and See
Based on John 1:29-51
Today we can find many books and models for doing evangelism. Just go to a Christian book store and you'll find a full shelf of books talking about evangelism and many of those books are wonderful but perhaps we have made "evangelism" too complicated.
I think we can find a great example of effective evangelism in the first chapter of John. There we find Philip's story. Philip was approached by Jesus who simply asked him, "Follow me." A short time later Philip found Nathanael and proclaimed to him saying, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Nathanael wasn't sold at first saying, "Nazareth? can anything good come from there?"
At this point Philip didn't try to convince him or argue with him he simply said, "Come and see"
and as we read on that is exactly what he did and because of that personal encounter with Jesus, Nathanael became a disciple as well.
So what does this teach us about evangelism or sharing our faith? First we have to have a personal encounter with Christ. Second we must come to the realization in our head and in our heart that Jesus is the Messiah. Third we have to share with someone what we have come to believe in our heart. Fourth, after we have shared our story we need to tell them to "come and see" or perhaps we will say, "Jesus has been great for me, why don't you try Him for yourself. Why don't you come and see."
Evangelism is about having a story and telling someone about it but ultimately the other person has to try it for themselves and when they do Jesus will meet with them and the Spirit will speak to their heart.
We need to remember that it is our job to spread the seed. the Lord is the one who makes it grow.
Today we can find many books and models for doing evangelism. Just go to a Christian book store and you'll find a full shelf of books talking about evangelism and many of those books are wonderful but perhaps we have made "evangelism" too complicated.
I think we can find a great example of effective evangelism in the first chapter of John. There we find Philip's story. Philip was approached by Jesus who simply asked him, "Follow me." A short time later Philip found Nathanael and proclaimed to him saying, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Nathanael wasn't sold at first saying, "Nazareth? can anything good come from there?"
At this point Philip didn't try to convince him or argue with him he simply said, "Come and see"
and as we read on that is exactly what he did and because of that personal encounter with Jesus, Nathanael became a disciple as well.
So what does this teach us about evangelism or sharing our faith? First we have to have a personal encounter with Christ. Second we must come to the realization in our head and in our heart that Jesus is the Messiah. Third we have to share with someone what we have come to believe in our heart. Fourth, after we have shared our story we need to tell them to "come and see" or perhaps we will say, "Jesus has been great for me, why don't you try Him for yourself. Why don't you come and see."
Evangelism is about having a story and telling someone about it but ultimately the other person has to try it for themselves and when they do Jesus will meet with them and the Spirit will speak to their heart.
We need to remember that it is our job to spread the seed. the Lord is the one who makes it grow.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The thief that steals our joy
Based upon Philippians 4
This is a favorite passage for many but one that is hard to live out. If we can embrace the truths of our text then we can indeed say as Paul. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." But there is a thief who comes to steal that joy. That thief's name is worry.
Paul says in verse 6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." You'll notice Paul doesn't suggest that we deny our concerns but he does give us ways to deal with them. We bring them before the throne and then in faith we rejoice and thank God that he will help us with our burdens. Yes, thanksgiving is the key because it reminds us of our faith our foundation and our hope. It's easy to say thank you after you receive the blessing but saying thank you before we receive the help is an indication that we know the blessing is on the way.
It's when we have the proper balance of supplication and thanksgiving that we receive the Peace of God, which surpasses all understand, which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Worry is born in our minds as well as our heart. Our job is to allow God to transform our minds and our hearts. We allow the Lord to transform our minds by focusing them in the right direction. Paul says in verse 8 "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Thinking properly is another key to reducing worry. Like being thankful, it doesn't come second nature we must intentional. In this way it becomes a Spiritual discipline but like all other disciplines if we do it long enough it is easier and even second nature. Thinking about the bad in other and about our situations will only bring us down and heighten our worry.
The last prescription Paul offers about worry is to live a good life. Paul says, "Keep on doing that things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me and the God of peace will be with you you." Wouldn't it be great if we lived such exemplary lives that we could encourage others to follow what we have said and what we have done.
Peace of mind come through living a life of integrity. When we walk in sin our life tends to fall apart and when our life falls apart we have more things to worry about. A well disciplined life that works with God will bring blessing and peace. As a result we will have more to be thankful for and we will more good things to think about.
the Lord doesn't want us to worry. He wants to carry our burdens and give us rest. So let us pray with Thanksgiving. Think about those things that are praise worthy and walk with integrity and purpose in our living. When we do this the Lord will guard our hearts and our minds so Satan can't come in and steal our joy.
This is a favorite passage for many but one that is hard to live out. If we can embrace the truths of our text then we can indeed say as Paul. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." But there is a thief who comes to steal that joy. That thief's name is worry.
Paul says in verse 6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." You'll notice Paul doesn't suggest that we deny our concerns but he does give us ways to deal with them. We bring them before the throne and then in faith we rejoice and thank God that he will help us with our burdens. Yes, thanksgiving is the key because it reminds us of our faith our foundation and our hope. It's easy to say thank you after you receive the blessing but saying thank you before we receive the help is an indication that we know the blessing is on the way.
It's when we have the proper balance of supplication and thanksgiving that we receive the Peace of God, which surpasses all understand, which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Worry is born in our minds as well as our heart. Our job is to allow God to transform our minds and our hearts. We allow the Lord to transform our minds by focusing them in the right direction. Paul says in verse 8 "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Thinking properly is another key to reducing worry. Like being thankful, it doesn't come second nature we must intentional. In this way it becomes a Spiritual discipline but like all other disciplines if we do it long enough it is easier and even second nature. Thinking about the bad in other and about our situations will only bring us down and heighten our worry.
The last prescription Paul offers about worry is to live a good life. Paul says, "Keep on doing that things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me and the God of peace will be with you you." Wouldn't it be great if we lived such exemplary lives that we could encourage others to follow what we have said and what we have done.
Peace of mind come through living a life of integrity. When we walk in sin our life tends to fall apart and when our life falls apart we have more things to worry about. A well disciplined life that works with God will bring blessing and peace. As a result we will have more to be thankful for and we will more good things to think about.
the Lord doesn't want us to worry. He wants to carry our burdens and give us rest. So let us pray with Thanksgiving. Think about those things that are praise worthy and walk with integrity and purpose in our living. When we do this the Lord will guard our hearts and our minds so Satan can't come in and steal our joy.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
It's all about grace
Based on Ephesians 2
If you were to ask me to explain the gospel message and use but one passage I would either turn to Romans 3 or to our passage for today Ephesians 2:1-10.
After sharing his excitement in Ephesians 1 now he shares the heart of the gospel which has brought him so much joy and it's all grace.
Paul starts by explaining we were all hopeless and dead sinners.
In vs. 1-3 it explains our hopeless state of affairs, "we were dead in our trespasses and sins" were we followed the desires of the flesh and the senses and we were in nature children of wrath just like everyone else"
In Romans 3:23 says, "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;"
No we don't like thinking about ourselves as sinners but its the truth. Denial will only lead us to death but realization and repentance of sin can be our first step to new life.
Now for the good news.
Paul says that Though you were sinners God loved you and showed you grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.
vs. 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved.
Paul says that we receive this grace through faith in Jesus
Eph. 2: 8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith,"
Romans 3:21 "But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."
And this grace and our faith is a gift of God.
Eph. 2:8b "For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
And not only are we saved we have a place in heaven with him.
Eph. 5:b and 6 "by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Notice he didn't say we will be raised up and we will have a heavenly place now we are raised up and seated with him in heavenly places. In other words we have a seat reserved for us right now. It remains empty now because we are his ambassador but our citizenship and glory are in the heavens while we serve him in this world!
Speaking to the gentile Christians (and to us) he says, in Ephesians 2:19 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God"
And this grace is extended and our new position in the family of God is ours because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
vs. 13,14a "but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace;"
Yes, we were sinners in need of a savior. Jesus came as our savior. We placed our faith in him and out of his grace we were saved and now we are citizens of heaven! And all this is ours because the "price is right". The price was Jesus death on the cross. That's the Good News of the gospel.
It's where we must go to start our journey.
If you were to ask me to explain the gospel message and use but one passage I would either turn to Romans 3 or to our passage for today Ephesians 2:1-10.
After sharing his excitement in Ephesians 1 now he shares the heart of the gospel which has brought him so much joy and it's all grace.
Paul starts by explaining we were all hopeless and dead sinners.
In vs. 1-3 it explains our hopeless state of affairs, "we were dead in our trespasses and sins" were we followed the desires of the flesh and the senses and we were in nature children of wrath just like everyone else"
In Romans 3:23 says, "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;"
No we don't like thinking about ourselves as sinners but its the truth. Denial will only lead us to death but realization and repentance of sin can be our first step to new life.
Now for the good news.
Paul says that Though you were sinners God loved you and showed you grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.
vs. 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved.
Paul says that we receive this grace through faith in Jesus
Eph. 2: 8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith,"
Romans 3:21 "But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."
And this grace and our faith is a gift of God.
Eph. 2:8b "For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
And not only are we saved we have a place in heaven with him.
Eph. 5:b and 6 "by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Notice he didn't say we will be raised up and we will have a heavenly place now we are raised up and seated with him in heavenly places. In other words we have a seat reserved for us right now. It remains empty now because we are his ambassador but our citizenship and glory are in the heavens while we serve him in this world!
Speaking to the gentile Christians (and to us) he says, in Ephesians 2:19 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God"
And this grace is extended and our new position in the family of God is ours because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
vs. 13,14a "but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace;"
Yes, we were sinners in need of a savior. Jesus came as our savior. We placed our faith in him and out of his grace we were saved and now we are citizens of heaven! And all this is ours because the "price is right". The price was Jesus death on the cross. That's the Good News of the gospel.
It's where we must go to start our journey.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
There's much to be excited about!
Based on reading: Ephesians 1
One thing that jumps off the pages of Ephesians one is how excited Paul is.
He's excited about God in Jesus Christ and about being a Christian. vs. 3"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
He's excited about the gospel and the blessings we receive. vs. 5 "He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us."
He's excited about the church in Ephesus. vs. 16 "I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers."
He's exited about our future! vs.18 "so that, the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power."
He's excited about Christ Power and glory and the power we share with him. vs. 20,21 "God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far about all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this present age but also in the age to come."
And Paul is excited about the universal church vs. 22 "And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
I'm not sure Paul could be more excited! Except for the day he sees Jesus face to face in heaven. Truly we should be that excited as well. Yes, we have a great redeemer, a great hope, a great inheritance, and we share in his power and in his glory! I hope you find joy, hope and courage from the words of Paul in Ephesians. If you meditate on these words and if you believe (despite what you might see going on around you) watch out life might become a great adventure.
God is with us in Jesus Christ! Praise be to God!
Let's move forward in faith! God is good!........
Is there joy in your journey? If not you haven't really met Jesus. Ask Him to reveal himself to you today. It will change your life forever!
One thing that jumps off the pages of Ephesians one is how excited Paul is.
He's excited about God in Jesus Christ and about being a Christian. vs. 3"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
He's excited about the gospel and the blessings we receive. vs. 5 "He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us."
He's excited about the church in Ephesus. vs. 16 "I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers."
He's exited about our future! vs.18 "so that, the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power."
He's excited about Christ Power and glory and the power we share with him. vs. 20,21 "God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far about all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this present age but also in the age to come."
And Paul is excited about the universal church vs. 22 "And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
I'm not sure Paul could be more excited! Except for the day he sees Jesus face to face in heaven. Truly we should be that excited as well. Yes, we have a great redeemer, a great hope, a great inheritance, and we share in his power and in his glory! I hope you find joy, hope and courage from the words of Paul in Ephesians. If you meditate on these words and if you believe (despite what you might see going on around you) watch out life might become a great adventure.
God is with us in Jesus Christ! Praise be to God!
Let's move forward in faith! God is good!........
Is there joy in your journey? If not you haven't really met Jesus. Ask Him to reveal himself to you today. It will change your life forever!
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