Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Ephesians 1:18

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…”

Reflection

Paul prays that all of us who follow Jesus will be enlightened so that God’s hope (desire) for our lives will be fully known.  That hope or desire has and always will be centered in Jesus Christ.  Have you experienced the enlightenment of the heart that enables you to experience Jesus to the fullest?

Monday, July 6, 2015

Ephesians 1:17

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

Reflection

We need to seek God’s wisdom and revealed knowledge so that we can come to know more fully the greatest revelation of who God is and that is Jesus Christ.  What is God’s desire for us?  His desire is that we know him better by knowing more fully the perfect revelation of himself who is Jesus.  How do you seek to know Jesus better so that you can fulfill God’s desire for your life?

Weekly July 5-11

God’s Desire for Us

Ephesians 1:15-16 “For this reason, ever since I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Paul gives thanks that the Ephesian Christians have experienced the fullness of salvation in Jesus.  He gives thanks that they are the possession of God and that they have been guaranteed through the seal of the Holy Spirit full redemption and the gift of eternal life.  Because of their faith in Jesus they are realizing God’s desire for their lives.  Have you come to the realization that God’s ultimate desire for your life is for you to know Jesus?

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Ephesians 1:13-14

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”

Reflection

We entered into God’s purpose and plan for us the moment that we believed all that Jesus did in his death and resurrection was done for us.  Then through that belief we have been sealed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and we have been guaranteed the inheritance of forgiveness and eternal life.  We belong to God.  We are God’s possession.  We have been purchased by God through the blood of Christ.  Consider this fact: You have been purchased by God through Jesus so you might share in God’s inheritance and that is God’s plan and purpose for each of us.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Ephesians 1:11-12

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

Reflection

It is God’s purpose and plan that you be chosen to receive every blessing that comes from Jesus Christ.  It is God’s purpose to redeem us from our sin and then what we become will be to the praise and glory of Jesus by whose blood we are saved.  How does it make you feel that God’s purpose and plan includes you and you have been specifically chosen by God?

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Ephesians 1:9-10

“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

Reflection

The purpose and plan of God finds its completion when all things, including us, come together in unity under the headship of Jesus Christ.  When we find our completion, when all creation finds its completion in Jesus then we will be living God’s purpose and plan.  Consider this question:  How do you see your life becoming more complete through the grace and love of Jesus?

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Ephesians 1:7-8

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Reflection

God’s purpose and plan to adopt us into his family has been accomplished through God’s mighty acts in Jesus Christ.  Jesus shed his blood on the cross and through that sacrifice we have the forgiveness of sins.  That is why we are holy and blameless in the sight of God.  Jesus paid the penalty for our sin.  Jesus died in our place.  Our sin has been forgiven and removed from us.  This love and grace has been poured out upon us.  God’s grace in Jesus is lavish and extravagant.  God’s grace in Jesus knows no limits.  Consider today how your life has been changed through God’s purpose and plan to redeem us through Jesus Christ.