Rich in Mercy

The Book of Ephesians

Some theologians consider this book in the Bible to be the "Queen of the Epistles". It is so rich in the spirit and purpose of God's plans, through Christ, for all mankind. Paul wrote this letter in a Roman prison with a purpose to unite, comfort and encourage the believer's in Asia Minor. 

The time frame dates backs to around 62AD, over 2000 thousand years ago. I can't imagine any manuscript written by man has, or will ever have a following of such magnitude as the timeless messages penned by God through his disciples. This book is magnificently inspired from the gallows of what man sees as failure- but that's the beauty of knowing and trusting God- the eternal plan of God will work through any situation. Any!

God's purpose, as always, in this letter is to share the good news that salvation is obtainable, and available to everyone, through believing in Christ. Paul shares the plan right from the beginning of Chapter 1:

The Living Bible Translation

"Long ago, even before he made the world , God chose us to be his very own, through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault- we who stand before him covered with his love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to!

Awesome comes to mind; God saw me holy, even before I was conceived, or breathing on this planet, even still while I was lost as an unbeliever (2:4), even when I turned my back on him as a believer and fell in bondage to the trappings of the world. He still saw me through mercy's eyes.(3:8)

God loves everyone but he can't save everyone from the battle that rages in the unseen. You have to sign up in God's army to have safety and the power to withstand. (6:10-17)

 Read the rest of this letter to know how to prepare for this battle dear ones; you can't wait another minute. Time here on earth will end. Not all will perish, but many will- if the enemy of God has his way. He wants you just as much as God loves you. Don't take this lightly. Be prepared.

Read the book of Ephesians

Prosperity and Joy

I watch and learn from God inspired teacher's, James and Betty Robinson are top on my list. I wanted to share a recent "Life Today" episode where they are interviewing a Rabbi who has written a book titled " Thou Shall Prosper". As I watched, and listened, I was reminded, and very grateful, that God is our provider. 


God can lead us through this financial mess we are in. We need to go back to God's word and rethink this money thing. We need to look at the law of finance from a Biblical perspective, one being instituted first as spiritual laws God put in place long before Wall Street. 


The Rabbi said, "money is a spiritual reward from God as a result of providing a pleasing service to someone." One prosper's from giving-not getting.

Often this is a contradiction to the world's teaching which says- "What about me, what's in it for me? "


The world is fickle, and subject to the trapping of the great deceiver who has one and only one purpose. To lie, steal, and cheat you out of your joy in the Lord.


The Bible says-


The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10 


Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (KJV) Habakkuk 3:18 

Joy does not come from your bank account. Joy is in the giving of ourselves to something that pleases God. We, who are made in His image, will find that pleasing God activates the joy.  


The age old question that comes to my mind today is-


Choose this day who you will serve. 
God and his plan?
Man and his way?

I know the right choice for me. Trust God.
I pray you can see it too.


Today I choose to see the people, and the opportunities God  places in my path, as stepping stones of joy and prosperity.


http://lifetoday.org/video/prosperity-and-joy-2/

No Condemnation

Romans 8

Life Through the Spirit

 ¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.^[c]And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
 

Hearing God

I am reading a book titled  "Hearing God" written by Peter Lord, published by Baker Books 1988. Pastor Lord opens his book with a poem written by Louis Eberly in the magazine Alive Now! I would like to dedicate this post to my husband, who is (temporarily) away from me at this time- working for our future.

To Bruce

Love must express and communicate itself

That's it's nature.

When people love one another, they start telling

Everything that's happened to them.

Every detail of their daily life, they "Reveal" themselves

To each other, unbosom themselves

And exchange confidences.

God hasn't ceased being Revelation anymore

Than He's ceased being Love.

He enjoys expressing Himself.

Since He's Love, He must give Himself,

Share His secrets, communicate with us

And reveal Himself to anyone

Who wants to listen. 

Paul's Prayer

 In the first Chapter of Ephesians, the apostle Paul prays for the church at Ephesus. He address them as "the saints", and "the faithful in Christ". You can feel the love and passion he has for this early church in his prayer. 


Paul's conversion from hate and persecution of the Christians, to love and joy is so powerfully demonstrated in his prayer. He wants for them to know Christ in the way he knows him. This is his calling. The same for all Christians- to share the mystery of Christ.


A very significant revelation he prays is... he wants them to know that they have the same power that raised Christ from the dead, living within them. 


Think about that dear Christians of today. We too, share in this wisdom, power, and revelation.


Read with the eyes of your heart what God said through Paul-

Ephesians/ Chapter 1

verses 16-20

"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".

"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, and the incomparably great power for us who believe."

 "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly realms".  

Prayer Matters

Over the years I have journaled many letters and prayers to God. Today I am looking back to see how much I've grown through this medium of submitting my wants, fears, needs, desires, weaknesses, and will to Him.

I can see how God has answered and manifested His perfect will for my life. It's not as clear in the real time, at the time of submission, but now I can see revelation, God revealing Himself  in relationship with me. It's a beautiful thing; and my faith, and trust matures and grows stronger.

I encourage you dear one's who are seeking a deeper relationship with God to keep a journal; bare your soul to God, and He will bless your spirit. He waits to hear from you, as a parent who's children have left home, he misses time spent caring for you. Write out your prayers, as letters sent home.

A few of my prayers shared with you..

Lord, show me how to love to life this poverty in my spirit when I try to love through my own expectations. 

Lord, I am unsure of my way today, but certain in you. You are with me, and have plans for me.

Lord, I pray today that you make me an instrument of your peace and love.

Lord, help me to stop judging others by their actions. Who am I to know their motivation at that moment, their heart's cry, superficially acted out. Help me to spend my time in the spirit of generosity  acceptance, and encouragement.

Amen

Call to me and  I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3