Chapter 1

Ephesians 1:1-2

Thank you God for that grace and peace.    We can rest in it and enjoy your presence forever.................   It is through your grace that we can be healed................. changed to be like Christ.................but you have already addressed us as "saints"  - i.e. "holy"

a]ca]c d]bd]b

Holiness

I stand in awe of your Holiness O God,

and yet I dream of sharing the Isaiah vision

when with fire you cleansed him

so that his mouth would bring forth only your words.

But those words were not always what the people wanted to hear............

I pray for the Church to be made holy Lord,

set apart to speak your word and do your will............

a]ca]c d]bd]b

 

Ephesians 1:3-14       Spiritual Blessings in Christ    

So we echo that Praise................. to God the Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ.................

But what is this blessing in the heavenly realms?.................That takes us into your presence to receive................. A place where we can know your holiness................. but you want us to be holy, and to know that you chose us to be in Christ from the beginning................. Predestination?.................  I will yet understand its relevance for me.    It was in love that I am chosen to be your son/daughter................. it is part of your plan.   I do not deserve it................. but your plan from the beginning was for us to be your children.     You created man in your image, offering him all the heavenly blessings of sonship, he was to have your qualities of love and truth and................. yes, holiness................. but you also gave him freedom to choose between being one with you, or having his own way.................   Such was your love for him.................  Such is your love for me.................
Man made that choice, but you had already ordained that we could be restored and become adopted children through Christ Jesus................. This was your pleasure and joy................. O how we praise you for that....................................................   But Jesus had to suffer for me................. he paid a high price for me................. and so I must admit to his ownership of me.................

I gladly accept that seal of the Holy Spirit on my life.................Such LOVE.................and that is only a deposit................. O, what joy................. and that it can be for His glory!

 Ephesians  1:15-23      Thanksgiving and Prayer                           

We  thank God for the Church, for those who have responded throughout the years and safe-guarded the Good News for us today.    We pray for the Church - asking for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better.................   Yes, the promised Holy Spirit is available to each Christian................. we pray that each will become more aware and enabled to receive................. To really see with our hearts, to know of those riches, the inheritance that is offered to His children.   Such Power offered to us?.................    Yes, we can be raised far above alien authorities, we can be part of His church, His body, that has all His fullness................. We can still have that union with God once offered to Adam.................   It is the New Adam that can restore this and include each of us.4................

Thanks be to JESUS................

a]ca]c d]bd]b

In Christ

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come! 5

  So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel,
by the power of God,
  who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 6

 To be In Christ................that is our calling, that is why we were made.

I pray for the Church to understand this.

a]ca]c d]bd]b

4  1 Cor 15:22, 45        5  2 Cor 5:17          6  2 Tim 1 8-9

 

Return