Ephesians-Phillipians – Page 15 – I'm Following Jesus

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, December 16, 2016
Chapters: The Book Of Ephesians
Message: Rich In Christ

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul from Rome, and transcribed by a man named Tychicus to the church at Ephesus and to all faithful in Christ, in approximately 64AD. The purpose of the epistle (letter) was to inform believers of their wealth in Christ and instruct them concerning their walk with Christ. What we are to learn from is that all who receive Christ are heirs to both the blessings (heavenly wealth) and responsibilities (the walk) of their calling created in them through Christ. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10.

I have been jumping in my skin since I began reading Ephesians, this book is always one that opens my heart and gets me thinking, usually I spread it out over two days, but with the new reading schedule I read the whole thing and I swear God has put so much in my mind and heart that I could write one devotion for each chapter. When we think of riches we automatically think money or wealth, but since God made all things and can care less about material things, He reminds us what is valuable, and that is life itself. God has many riches to offer us, the first one is grace. Without grace, quite frankly, we would all be in hell. Paul reminds us that we were already predestined to know Christ, but it was our actual act of receiving Him by grace that made us one with Him.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” – Ephesians 1:4-9.

“according to the riches of his grace;” Grace; the unmerited favor of God. Grace is more than God keeping us out of hell when we receive the blood of Christ, it is His love, patience, longsuffering, provisions, strength, joy, wisdom, and guidance. The most amazing thing we receive upon our salvation is that we become heirs with Christ, that means we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Now, to the world this all sounds nuts and incestuous, but we must remember that God is a Spirit and does not think about our flesh the way that we do. According to Him our flesh is disgusting and sinful, but when we receive Christ He no longer sees our sinful flesh, but the blood of His Son. Paul reminds us of another one of God’s riches, mercy.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” – Ephesians 2:1-5, 15.

“who is rich in mercy,” Mercy; being pardoned or spared the punishment deserved. Let’s face it, when it comes to mercy, we all to some degree lack it because when someone wrongs us we want to retaliate, make it slow, painful, and make them feel like we feel. The problem with getting even with our offenders is that it brings us more pain than them, and what about those we have wronged, we would not want to be condemned for what we did either. In this day and age there are a bunch of babies walking around, whining and crying over the most ridiculous things, they get offended over everything so, trust me you will offend someone without even knowing it. This is where we need the grace and strength of Christ, and I am freaking out as I type this because I realize God has so much mercy and grace toward us, and so much more riches to give us if we just embrace Him more.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:14-21.

“according to the riches of his glory,” Glory; To boast; be proud of. How awesome is it to have God boast about you? We do not need to boast of ourselves, and to be honest, many of the things we do will never get noticed by the world anyway, but they do get noticed by God, and He gives subtle hints every now and then letting you know He is pleased with you. That dollar, that job, that kind word, that hug, that thank you, these are all things that God shows us we are doing a good work through His Son, and the funny thing, you do not even have to mention Christ, He is seen in you. I had a complete stranger tell me to have a blessed day, in this day and age people fear saying things like that because they do not want to offend anyone, but when you act or even dress in a way that reveals Christ all on His own, which is why it is important to present yourself as rich in Christ.

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” – Ephesians 4:17-24.

“But ye have not so learned Christ;” This is where a lot of people reveal who they truly are. While our works in no way determine our salvation, they do reveal Christ in us after we are saved as we walk with Him and learn His ways. There are way too many saved people living sinful lives, this is all because they never learned of Him beyond their salvation. Until we take in all the riches of Christ we are not going to see a change in our lives. Let me tell you, I have been there, gotten saved at a young age, and walked away not understanding the impact of asking Jesus to come into my heart would do to me. After a year of pain and suffering I truly understood what Christ did for me and found Him again, this time keeping Him with me. If it is one thing that I have learned this year it is that only we can limit God, Jesus wants to fill us abundantly with His riches, but just like our salvation we must receive them, and the key to obtaining them all is to arm ourselves with Him.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:13-18.

“that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,” Living the Christian life may not always be easy, we are in a spiritual battle, God versus Satan, each one trying to get us on their side, the side of Satan always leaves us in pain, suffering, and shame in the end. The side of God always gives us peace and comfort during the pain and suffering, plus victory in the end. It may not always be a glamorous life to be a Christian, but in the end, when everyone finally comes to the realization that they do need Christ, we will already be rejoicing in the Kingdom of God. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelations 21:4.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” – Ephesians 1:19-20.

Today’s Prayer: God, Your mercy and grace for us is beyond measure, it’s just amazing to think of what kind of life I lived before You were in it, and how You have completely changed it. Over the years You have brought peace, hope, and even joy to my life through my trials. Lord, I know I am going to mess up again no matter how much I try not to, but Your mercy endures forever. Lead me and guide me, search me and open my heart to discover anything that is keeping me out of Your will. Strengthen me and grow me as I seek Your will, looking only to You for wisdom and guidance while You are pleased to keep me here on earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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