Ephesians 2:21-22

O ~ We are God's temple!  We have been chosen by God.  Each one of us is a stone joined together with Christ. 

A ~ God's spirit is living in me, my body is His temple and I should treat it as such.  

P ~ Dear Father I pray that you give me wisdom as I walk with you.  Lead me to those who need to hear the message of salvation and give me the courage to share that message with them.  Thank you for choosing me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of Your kingdom.  Amen

Ephesians 2:19-20

S ~ Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.
What a foundation you stand on now: the apostles and the prophets; and the cornerstone of the building is Jesus Christ himself! 

O ~ Praise God for I am a member of His family, a citizen of His country and sister to all Christians.  Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of God's temple.

A ~  I am to treat all Christians as family.  They are my family of families.

P ~ Thank you Heavenly Father for adopting me as your daughter.  Thank you most of all for Your Son Jesus Christ and for what He did for me.  Amen

Ephesians 2:16-18

S ~ As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the feud ended at last at the cross. And he has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were very far away from him, and to us Jews who were near. Now all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, may come to God the Father with the Holy Spirit’s help because of what Christ has done for us.

O ~ We are all equal in God's sight.  No one is better than anyone else for the cross made the difference.  I can talk directly to God without having to go through someone else.

A ~ Commune with God daily through His Spirit.

P ~ Father God thank you for your Son, the cross and for Your Spirit.  Thank you for making us one people to serve you.  Thank You for always being there to help me through whenever a crisis comes.  Father God thank you for being who You are.  Amen

Ephesians 2:13-15

S ~ But now you belong to Christ Jesus, and though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought very near to him because of what Jesus Christ has done for you with his blood.  For Christ himself is our way of peace. He has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one family, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By his death he ended the angry resentment between us, caused by the Jewish laws that favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles, for he died to annul that whole system of Jewish laws. Then he took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of himself; thus he fused us together to become one new person, and at last there was peace. 

O ~  The blood of Christ torn down the wall of laws that separated Jews and Gentiles.  We are now one family and each of us have the same inheritance.

A ~  I am not look down on or show resentment toward anyone because they are different than me.

Refiner's Fire

by Brian Doerksen

Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold and precious silver.
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold, pure gold.

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy,
Set apart for You my master,
Ready to do Your will.

Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin and make me holy.
Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within.

P ~ Dear Father I pray that you take away any resentment I may harbor against my brothers or sisters.  I pray that you give me a clean heart and purify me from within.  Amen

Ephesians 2:11-12

S ~ Never forget that once you were heathen and that you were called godless and “unclean” by the Jews. (But their hearts, too, were still unclean, even though they were going through the ceremonies and rituals of the godly, for they circumcised themselves as a sign of godliness.)  Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ; you were enemies of God’s children, and he had promised you no help. You were lost, without God, without hope. (LB)

O ~ These two verses are judgement for I was lost without God and Christ!  

A ~ I am never to take what Christ did for me for granted.  I am not to live the Christian life only on Sundays but live the life Christ has given me through the shedding of His blood everyday.  I am not to only go through the motions of being a Christians to impress others.  Through His Son Jesus Christ God has given men hope for tomorrow and a life with Him for eternity.


P ~ Father God never let me forget the sacrifice of your Son and the shedding of His blood for me.  Father God thank you for the gift of hope.  Father God I want to live for you daily and walk in the path you have given me.  Amen

Ephesians 2:10

S ~ God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. (Msg)

O ~ God created me, He saved me and has a job for me to do. 

A ~ I need to be about God's business doing what He created me to do and that is telling others about His Son Jesus Christ.

P ~ Dear Father lead me daily and point me in the direction to someone who needs to hear the good news.  Amen

Ephesians 2:8-9

S ~ Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.

O ~ There is nothing I can do to earn the gift of salvation.  Christ died for me on that cross and paid a debt He did not owe.

A ~ Continue to live daily for Christ placing my faith and trust in Him.

P ~ Jesus thank you for having me on your mind all those years ago.  Thank you for the gift of salvation and I ask that you give me the courage to share your good news with others.  Amen

Ephesians 2:6-7

S ~ and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms—all because of what Christ Jesus did. ⁷ And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ.

O ~ Praise God for the grave will not hold me and I will be sitting and conversing with Jesus in Heaven. 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1 Corinthians 15:55 

A ~  We are to be God's example of Christ living in us, telling others about all He has done for us and to spread His kindness wherever we go to whomever we meet.  We are to treat others just as Christ treats us, we are to love others just as we love ourselves.

P ~ Father God thank you for the gift of eternal life with you.  I pray that I will be a living example for you here on this earth.  Thank you for your Son Jesus and for the love He shows me daily.  Amen

Ephesians 2:4-5

S ~ But God's mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, ⁵ that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God's grace that you have been saved. 

O ~ God loves little old me, even when I failed Him He loved me. Grace = God's Redemption At Christ's Expense! 

A ~  Live each day to the fullest walking in the light of Jesus.

P ~  Father God thank you for giving Your Son Jesus Christ for me.  Amen

Ephesians 2:1-3

S ~ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

O ~ When I was living in the world I was dead to Christ, I was a sinful person looking to my own desires.

A ~ When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior I became a new creature and I thank God that my past life was no more.  I want to walk daily with Christ as my leader and not fall back into satan's trap.

P ~ Father God a simple thank you is not enough for all you have done for me.  Thank you for your infinite mercy and grace.  Thank you for sending your Son to be my Lord and Savior.  Thank you for the blood He shed that I might spend eternity with You and Your Son.  Father God help me to be the person you want me to be as I travel daily that path you have set before me.  Amen

Ephesians 1:22-23

S ~ And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

O ~ Christ is the head of the church and He has dominion over everything.

A ~ The church is not a building, it is us.  We are the body of Christ and need to treat our bodies as a temple as it is where Christ lives.  I need and will make Him first in all decisions.

P ~ Father God thank you for your Son.  Thank you for placing Him in my life.  Thank you for the way He meets all my needs.  Dear Father thank you for placing Him in charge of my life.  Help me to not to let anything come between me and You Son.  Amen.

Good Times

Yesterday was Father's Day!  We went to morning worship service and spent the afternoon with the kids.  Marianne prepared the guys favorite dish, Strawberry Chicken Salad, and we had a great time hanging out together.  

A great day with family!

Ephesians 1:20-21

S ~  All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. (MSG)

O ~ God raised Christ from death and place Him in charge of everything.

A ~ To me these verses are powerful and remind me of the song "There's Just Something About That Name."

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away
But there's something about that name.

Putting Jesus first in my life and relying on Him for everything!

P ~ Jesus thank you for being there for me.  Thank you for carrying me when the load gets to heavy.  Thank you for preparing a place for me for all eternity.  Jesus let me never fail to offer up my thanks and gratitude.  Amen

Ephesians 1:18-19

S ~ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might

O ~ He will enlighten my heart, He will give me hope to follow His calling and I will inherit all the riches of glory.

A ~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Keep praying and striving toward the goal that He has set for me for His strength will get me there.

P ~ Father God thank you for your Son.  You sent Him to be our example of how to live for You.  Let me never forget to put You and Your Son first in all things.  Amen

Ephesians 1:17

S ~ I always pray to the great and glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that he will give you the Spirit, who will let you know truths about God and help you understand them, so that you will know him better.

O ~ Paul is telling the Christians at Ephesus that he always prays to Father God for them.

A ~ I need to be as humble as Paul and pray for others, for God's spirit to descend on them, for truth and understanding and they strive to know more about Him.

P ~  Dear Father give me a humble and willing heart to pray for others.  Father God as they read your Word help them to understand the words they are reading and to apply them in their lives.  Father God teach me your ways so that I can be your instrument.  Help me to plant the seed and along with others see it flourish.  Father God use me for your glory.  Amen

Ephesians 1:15-16

S ~ For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

O ~ Faith, love and prayer.

A ~  Faith in Jesus, love everyone and pray for each other.

P ~ Father God thank you for this message and thank you for your Son Jesus.  Help my faith to be strong when trials come my way. Help me to love my others as you love me and let my prayer life be a witness for you.  Help me be a prayer warrior to lift my others up to you in prayer daily for strength and guidance in their lives.  Thank you Father God for all you have done and for all you are going to do in my life.  Amen

Ephesians 1:13-14

S - It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

O - Praise God I am free from the bondage of this world.  Christ's blood has set me free and nothing can take that freedom away!

A - Live each day praising God for the life He has given me and for the things to come.

P - Thank you Father for this freedom.  Thank you for your infinite mercy and grace.  Thank you for this gift of abundant life.  Father God I ask that you give me the courage to be a bold witness for you, to share the good news with all I come in contact with that I will be a living example for you.  Father God thank you for sending your Son that we would hear the true message of salvation. Amen

Mt St Helens

 

Today I had plans to visit a friend with some of the ladies from the Ridgefield Stitchery Group but a couple of ladies could not make it so we changed the date to next Wednesday.  So after my doctor's appointment I came home and got busy in the kitchen putting on a batch of applesauce.  I was just about finished when my sweetie came downstairs and said "let's take a drive to Mt ST Helens today."  So I finished what I was doing and we headed out the door with our boy Ozzie.

Several years ago, I think 1991, on one of our trips here to visit with my sweetie's brother and family we decided to take a side trip on our way home to California and take in Mt St Helens.  Well we never saw the mountain.  No matter how hard we tried or what road we took we couldn't see the mountain because of the weather, rain and fog.

Today was absolutely a perfect day for a drive and we finally saw the mountain.  When you see it in person with the side blown away the devastation takes on a whole different perspective.  To see the mountain sides once again covered with beautiful green trees and the wild flowers blooming served to remind me of God's lovingkindness and the compassion He has for each of us as He makes us a beautiful new creature and blots out the things we have done wrong.

So we need to lay your burdens, the devastation, down at the foot of the cross and let the lovingkindness and compassion of Christ cover us as we become a new creature and bloom where He has planted us.

There's Room at the Cross for You

by Ira F. STanphill, 1946

The cross upon which Jesus died,

Is a shelter in which we can hide;

And its grace so free is sufficient for me,

And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea.

There's room at the cross for you,

There's room at the cross for you,

Tho millions have come,
There's still room for one

Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

Ephesians 1:11-12

^{S - 11-12} It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

O - Christ knew me before I was formed.  He knew what my life would be, the dreams I would have, the failures I would face when I put things before Him. 

A - Continue to put Christ first in my life, keep Him at the center of my marriage and everyday living.

P - Dear Father thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ.  I know that He always, always has my best interest at heart.  I know that when failure comes my way He will pick me up and carry me through the trial.  Dear Father help me to be a better person, to live life to the fullest each day and that every thing I do will glorify you and others will see You and Your Son living in me, Amen

Sunshine

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.  Psalm 84:11

I am so glad to have God in my life.  His shield is my protection.  I know that He will be there with me, guiding me when the dark storm clouds appear.  The sun will brighten my day and all the clouds will roll away.

Sunshine In My Soul

by Eliza E. Hewitt, 1887

There is sunshine in my soul today,

More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky,

For Jesus is my Light.

O there's sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

Ephesians 1:7-10

S -
^7-10 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
O - I have been given God's grace through the blood of Christ.  Through His blood I have been forgiven.  I am free and He will provide all my needs.
A - Putting my faith and trust in God and His Son and He will provide all my needs.
P - Father God I love you and I trust you in all things.  Help my faith to grow daily as I walk the path you lead me on, Amen

Ephesians 1:5-6

^{S - Ephesians 1:5-6
5} He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

O - I have been adopted by God through the blood shed by Jesus Christ for me.  Praise God I am the daughter of the King of Kings.

A - God has freely given me His love.  I am to praise and honor Him by loving others just as freely as He loved.  I am to show the same grace and mercy as He has shown me.

P - Good morning Father.  I thank you for this beautiful day you have given me, for the opportunities that you have already laid out for me this day.  Dear Father I asked you for your forgiveness when my patience wears thin and I lose control of my emotions.  Father God I ask that you be with me this day as I go to work, that everything I say or do will be done to glorify you.  Father God I ask you to give me the heart to love others just as you love me, to have a forgiving heart to forgive the hurt that has been done to me and those I love.  Thank you Father for all you do, Amen.

 

God Knows My Name

The sheep listen to His voice.  He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.  When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. 

John 10:3-4

God knows my name!  He knew me before He formed this lump of clay we call earth.  He sent His Son to die for me and to show me the way to Him.  He has blessed my life so many times and there have been times when I failed to thank Him for everything He has done for me.  He wants me to spend time with Him as I study His Word, to converse with Him through prayer and not be so fast to get up without sitting quietly and listening as He speaks directly to my heart.  He wants to be whom I go to when times get tough and I can't see a way out.  He wants to be first in my life and yours.

In The Garden

C. Austin Miles, 1912

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever know.

Ephesians 1: 1-4

Week 1:
Monday Read: Ephesians 1:1-­4

S-­ The Blessings of Redemption
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: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  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, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

O-­ God has blessed us and He chose us before He created this planet we live on.

A-­ We need to remain faithful in our walk with God and keep His temple, this body, holy before him.

P-­ Dear Father thank you for the many blessings you have blessed me with.  I thank you for placing me a this place to bloom and grow.  Dear Father I ask that you forgive me when I fall short and fail to take the steps you have set before.  I ask that you be with me this day as I am out and about doing things that need to be done.  I ask that you keep me on the path you have set before me and let others see you Son Jesus Christ living in me, Amen.