How you doin? We had a
super charged dinner last night. A couple and their 1 year old, that
just planted a church in our area, came over last night. So much God
inspired energy. It was... AWESOME!!!!!!! Today is the 1 day of the week
that Stacey & I don't do devotions together. So I sat down at the
computer and asked God for scripture for today's email. I wanted Him to
send me to John, some where in the teens. Apparently, He didn't hear my
prayer. He said go to Ephesians 2. I'm not too surprised after Spike's
great sermon on Sunday.
I mentioned yesterday about something that Bill Johnson has been saying
a lot lately, "I don't want one thought in my mind about myself that's
not in God's mind about me". As I was reading Ephesians 2 this morning, I
couldn't help but to think about God's thoughts of me.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:1-10)
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:1-10)
It seems to me that thinks very highly of me. COME ON!!!!!!!
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13) Remember from yesterday how the father was filled with compassion even while the son was "still a long way off". DIG IT!!!!!!!
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:14-18)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13) Remember from yesterday how the father was filled with compassion even while the son was "still a long way off". DIG IT!!!!!!!
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:14-18)
Here
Paul's talking about Jews and Gentiles being reconciled to God through
Christ. So, again He thinks highly of me. Jesus came to reconcile us to
our Father in Heaven. Even though I know that, I tend to lose that
thought in my mind.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(Ephesians 2:19-22)
So
what does God think of me? He thinks highly enough of me to send His
Son so that He may dwell in me. RAD!!!!!!! I couldn't help to notice the
words "being built". The word "being" indicates a process. I'll say it
again... I love God's process. God is present future. To me, this is a
glimpse into my future here in the present. Reading and believing this
scripture gives me hope. Biblical hope... eager anticipation of
something great. The FULLNESS of the Spirit of God dwelling in me is the
something great. COME ON!!!!!!! Ask the Holy Ghost to transform your
thoughts about yourself to be the same as His thoughts about you today.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(Ephesians 2:19-22)
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