Spiritual Blessings in Christ

This summer since Stephen and I have been away from each other we decided to go through a book of the Bible; a chapter a week. We chose Galatians and finished that a couple of weeks ago and decided to continue on through Ephesians and Philippians, and so forth. Now, we will be discussing Ephesians 2 and I am being reminding of how much I love this book. It's pretty close to being my favorite book in the Bible. So, I thought today I would share Ephesians 1 and give just a few thoughts of my own since this chapter is overflowing with beautiful truths.


"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

    To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Spiritual Blessings in Christ

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

See? I told you it's a lot! It's one sentence after another that is just filled with so much beautiful truth that it's almost to much to comprehend! For example, that first paragraph: we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, we were chosen before the earth was even created to be holy and blameless before Him. And, then, because of love and through grace, we are adopted as sons through Christ! It doesn't end there! Paul just keeps going. As you read, you can't help but praise the Father and rejoice in all that He has done for us. 

I urge you to do just that. Read this chapter and with all thankfulness and praise to our Father, contemplate on every spiritual blessing He has given us.

The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

Philippians 4 is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. Here's why:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you . . . Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.I can do all things through him who strengthens me . . . And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. ~ Philippians 4:4-9,11-13, 19-20

 I love every aspect of this passage, especially verses 4-7 and 19-20. We have no need to be anxious or worried about what will come next; if we carry those worries to God, He will surely take of them. One of the most beautiful feelings is that in verse 7 - the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds. 

Verses 19-20 are some of my favorite verses in all of Scripture:  "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." Isn't that so comforting? It goes with the beginning verses; when we let go of all the worries and anxieties this world brings and truly believe v. 19 - He will supply EVERY NEED - then we will have the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone.

I have one desire in this life: to see my dad and brother enter into saving relationships with Christ. 

I know I write on this often. But, it's always, constantly, on my mind. And, since I haven't posted in a few months, it is even more worthy of me writing.

I, recently, have read several books that have caused me to dwell on this more than usual: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer, Letters From a Skeptic by Dr. Gregory A. Boyd and Edward K. Boyd, and, currently, The Plight of Man and the Power of God by Dr. martin Lloyd - Jones.. All of these books make clear the urgency of salvation and the devastation of the passing of a non-believer. 

One of my favorites quotes by Packer is found in this book: 

"Thus the sovereignty of God in grace gave Paul hope of success as he preached in deaf ears, and held up Christ before blind eyes, and sought to move stony hearts. His confidence was that where Christ sends the gospel, there Christ has His people -fast bound at present in the chains of sin, but due for release at the appointed moment through a mighty renewing of their hearts as the light of the gospel shines in to their darkness, and the Saviour draws them to Himself." (pp.116-117)

This says so much. First, a believer is called to be Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5 calls us ambassadors; "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."). Wherever we go, so will Christ be. Second, believers are also sinners. We are not made perfect in Christ; only forgiven and called to be holy. Third, goes with the first, wherever we go Christ will shine and thus those in darkness will see the light. 

This is humbling, a calling, and encouraging all at once. Humbling in that I am a sinner, just like those who are not saved. A calling to be Christ, to be a witness for Him at all times. And, encouraging because since Christ is shining through me, lives can be saved; including those of my family.

Pages more can be said about this book but, I must move on. 

Letters From a Skeptic is the most encouraging of the trio. I happened to find it while browsing through the evangelism section of a Christian bookstore. I started reading. I couldn't be moved from it (I read the first 80 pages in the store) so, my boyfriend bought it for me. It did not take me long to finish. 

The basic premise of the book is that a professor at a theological school has an unsaved atheistic, 70-year-old dad. He decides to give his father the opportunity to ask questions about his faith. And, thus begins a 3 -year, 30 -letter correspondence that ends with the dad becoming saved. You can see why I was so transfixed with it.

One of the quotes that stood out to me ( I, unfortunately, do not have the book near me so this will be a poor paraphrase) was this:

the urgency of the situation (the lostness of the unsaved) required a drastic remedy (God sending His Son to die on the cross).  

Knowing this shows, even more, the urgency we need to have in sharing Christ, praying for the lost, and having them enter into salvation.

This is shown by the author. Dr. Boyd saw saw this urgency and took time out of busy schedule to answer his father's questions - most of which were no easy questions to answer. 

As I mentioned before, this book is incredibly encouraging. First, the author's father was in his 70's. My own father still has a few years yet before he reaches that age. There is still hope. You are never to old to believe in Christ. Second, it took 3 years of persistence, assurance, and true faith in God that He can save anyone - even the most hardened of hearts. Third, the Gospel alone has the power to save. You don't need anything extra. Dr. Boyd gives the straight Gospel in each letter. 

The last several letters had me in tears. tears of rejoicing that Dr. Boyd's father chose Christ and tears of hope that my own father, and brother, still can. His father has passed away but, he has the assurance of knowing where he is: in heaven rejoicing and praising our Almighty Savior. I yearn for the same assurance of my father is to pass away.  I urge anyone to read this book. 

The Plight of Man and the Power of God continues the urgency of salvation. I am about halfway but, it thus far has been convicting.

As I have requested many times before, I call you to pray for my dad and brother as well as the many, many, many others who are not saved. If you know someone who is not, I am praying for them. And, there is still hope.

I will end with a favorite verse from one of my favorite hymns:

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.