We begin Ephesians today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Remember that the Epistles are where every born again believer should spend most of our time because they are the letters written specifically to the Body of Christ, the Church! They reveal to us what God has done and is going to do in us, for us and through us! Look at verses 4-10:
4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]— 6 [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, 8 Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), 9 Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, 10 [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth.
THIS is ALL God's very specific plan and purposes for us! One minister put it this way: The CHURCH of Jesus Christ is going to be showcased throughout all of eternity as God's perfect accomplishment! There was nothing like us before and there will be nothing like us after! We are UNIQUE, and uniquely anointed, appointed, gifted, called and placed all for HIS purpose and for HIS GLORY! Let's make sure that we are making GOD's priorities our own! There is no end to the great BLESSING that will operate in our lives, bringing GLORY to HIM, when we 'get with HIS program'! Find out what our Father has called YOU to do, and DO IT! Remember that we are, of ALL people who have ever lived, MOST BLESSED! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Come ALive":
Shalom in Him!
