2022 . . . Twenty-Twenty-Two . . . The fact that in just a few days, we will ring in the year 2022 is almost unbelievable, especially for someone like me who was born in 1969.  Wow, that makes me feel so old.  I'm looking forward to the new year though.  The past two years have taken their toll on all of us in one way or another.  When we rang in the year 2020, most of us had no idea what the next few months would bring.  When we realized we were in a global pandemic, most of us had no idea it would last 6 months, let alone years.  Yet here we are, still in it.  It has been tough.  Some of us have lost loved ones.  Some have lost jobs.  If we all think about it, we have probably all lost something due to the global pandemic of the past two years.  But, we have also gained.  We have spent more time at home with our families.  Many have found a faith in God that they didn't have before the 2020 pandemic.  COVID19 will forever be a word or term that will usher up all sorts of emotions in all of us.  But there is another Word that will always speak truth to our hearts, God's Word.  Let's take a look at the truth found in the Bible and keep in our hearts these Bible verses for the new year, 2022.

Bible Verses for the New Year, 2022 - Image Credit:  Ben White - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Bible Verses for the New Year, 2022

1.  So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

2.  Seek the Lord and His strength.  Seek His face continually.  Remember His wonderful deeds that He has done, His marvels and the judgements from His mouth.  1 Chronicles 16:11-12

3.  That in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.  Ephesians 4:22-24

4.  The Lord's acts of mercy indeed do not end for His compassions do not fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion says my soul.  Therefore I wait for Him.  Lamentations 3:22-24

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5.  Certainly there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.  Proverbs 23:18

6.  Do not call to mind the former things or consider things of the past.  Behold, I am going to do something new.  Now, it will spring up.  Will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:18-19

7.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3

8.  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation.  Old things have passed away.  Behold, new things have come.  2 Corinthians 5:17

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9.  And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 5:5

10.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

11.  But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me.  Micah 7:7

12.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

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13.  Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles.  They will run and not get tired.  They will walk and not become weary.  Isaiah 40:31

14.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

15.  Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.  I will press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

16.  There is an appointed time for everything .  And there is a time for every matter under Heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

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17.  Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.  Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.  Psalm 96:1-3

18.  Look among the nations!  Watch!  Be horrified!  Be frightened and speechless!  For I am accomplishing a work in your days - You would not believe it even if you were told.  Habakkuk 1:5

19.  For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more important than they?  Matthew 6:25-26

20.  Know that Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves: We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless his name.  Psalm 100:3-4

21.  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

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22.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these thins.  Philippians 4:6-8

I hope these verses will get you off to a great new beginning for a great new year.  Happy New Year everyone.  May many blessings come your way from January all the way into December in 2022.

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Christ Took Your Punishment in Your Place

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Christ Took Our Punishment.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

The majority of people who believe there is a Heaven believe that doing good things is how you get into Heaven.  This is because they don't know the message of the cross.  The Bible teaches us that no one is without sin.  We all deserve death.  We all deserve the cross, but someone died in your place.  His name is Jesus.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Christ Took Your Punishment in Your Place

1.  Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

We are not good enough.  We could never be good enough to get to God in Heaven on our own.  We cannot, on our own, escape God's punishment which is death.  His judgment is coming to everyone.  If God brings His judgment upon us right now, based on our works, we will all be wiped out.

BUT, we are made alive in Jesus.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 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.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. - Ephesians 2:1-3

We are rebellious by nature, but God is good, perfect, and holy. He is also perfectly just. He is a just God who cannot let sin simply slip away. He demands justice.  

God does not send people to Hell.  We were already going there.  

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

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 God sent Jesus in our place.  

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29

Jesus absorbed all the wrath of God on the cross.

God is perfectly just and He perfectly loves us so that He sent Jesus to take our punishment.  God knows who you are.  Jesus knows who you are and He died for you.

2.  What will you do with the message of the cross?

It is foolish to reject it.  

it is foolish to make excuses.

It is foolish to look for another way to God.

Will you share the message of the cross?  

Will you surrender to the message of the cross?

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Christ took your punishment in your place.

Prayer (Ephesians Series)

Prayer - Ephesians 6:18-20

2020 . . . what a year.  For my family, God has been ever present during the roller coaster ride of 2020.  He has provided for our needs.  He has comforted us through losses.  He has shown us glimpses of what He is working on for 2021.  A new year is almost here.  Are you praying for God to use you in the year 2021?  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon on the topic of prayer.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here. 

 Prayer

With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, ¹⁹ and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. - Ephesians 6:18-20

We take the battle to the enemy when we pray.

In verse 18 above, we see many "alls."  Pray at ALL times.  Be alert with ALL  perseverance and every request for ALL the saints.

1.  Pray at all times.

Do you feel awkward when you pray?  Do you struggle for words?  

Prayer is more about a condition of the heart than an articulation of words.  Be aware of all things going on around you.  Commit to praying for the needs of others.

2.  Pray with all the power in the Spirit.

Pray in the name of Jesus.  Pray like a prayer warrior.

3.  Pray for all needs.  

Pray and make pleas on behalf of others.

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4.  Pray with all endurance.  

Keep alert.  Continue to make requests to the Lord, rather than praying for someone once and then forgetting about them.  On social media, we are quick to tell someone we will pray over something they have posted, but do we really pray over that situation?  How often do we type in the reply thread, "Praying" or "Prayers" or a prayer emoji or something similar but then keep scrolling?  If we tell someone we will pray for them, then we need to be sure that we actually pray for them.  I have stopped commenting that I will pray over a situation unless I can stop and pray over the situation immediately.  Then, I'll let them know I have just prayed for them.  That is just one way to solve this problem. 

5.  Pray for all the saints.

Pray for one another.  Do life together.  Worship together.  Isolation is dangerous.  

6.  Pray now.

When something comes up, pray.  Stop right then and pray.

You can't be a prayer warrior without a relationship with Jesus.  Learn more about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus here.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  Are you ready to be a prayer warrior?

Prayer causes change in the heart, in the community, and in the world.

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Prayer - Ephesians 6:18-20

Walk Like a Warrior (Ephesians Series)

Walk Like a Warrior

We are still in Ephesians at my church.  Today's sermon title is Walk Like a Warrior.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Our scripture passage for today is Ephesians 6:10-17.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:10-17

The walk of the believer leads to war of the believer.  Christianity is not a playground.  It is a battlefield.  We are at war with the devil.

Walk Like a Warrior

1.  A warrior knows his or her enemy.  

With a supernatural life comes a supernatural enemy.  Sometimes we misidentify the enemy.  Who is our enemy?  Our enemy is the devil.

Sometimes we think the people around us are our enemies.  This is not true.  The real enemy, the devil, works to steal, kill, and destroy us.  

Our struggle is with the flesh. (Ephesians 6:12)

Satan is after your mind.  If he gets your mind, he can get your life.  He can get your marriage, your family, your church, etc. 

Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” ² The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; ³ but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” ⁴ The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! ⁵ For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings. - Genesis 3:1-7

To get your mind, Satan will make you question God's Word, God's character, and God's goodness.  Satan wants you to view your life apart from God's Word as he did Eve in the garden.

2.  A warrior knows his or her equipment.

Consider the armor of God, His Word. (Ephesians 6:13)

Take up God's army, not your own.  We don't need to fight on social media posts.  We fight with God's Word through the power of Christ Jesus.  We fight with prayer.  We fight on our knees.

3.  A warrior makes war.

What lies has Satan been telling you?

Believers can make war with the devil.

Fight for your family.

Fight for your mind.

Fight for your marriage.

Read the Bible.

Memorize scripture.

Pray.

Band together as Christ followers.

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How to Not Ruin Your Life (Ephesians Series)

How to Not Ruin Your Life

This post is written from my personal Bible study notes taken during my pastor's sermon.  

We are still in our Ephesians series at my church.  Today's message gives advice about how to not ruin your life.  Our scripture passage for today is Ephesians 5:15-21.  We learn today that if we do not want to ruin our lives, we should not act foolishly.  We should choose friends wisely.  We shouldn't be lazy.  We absolutely do not deny the existence of God.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here. 

 

 

First, let's read Ephesians 5:15-21.

So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of your time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; ²⁰ always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; ²¹ and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. - Ephesians 5:15-21

Walk carefully because you will influence those who walk behind you.

 

How to Not Ruin Your Life

 

1.  Don't be a fool.  

Fools are full of pride, but wise people are humble.  

 

When pride comes, then comes dishonor; but with the humble there is wisdom. - Proverbs 11:2

2.  Choose friends wisely.

Fools are influenced by other fools, but wise people choose friends wisely.

One who walks with wise people will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. - Proverbs 13:20

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3.  Don't be lazy.  

Wise people work hard.  

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. - Proverbs 21:5

4.  Don't deny the existence of God.  

Are you being a fool?

 

Redeem your time.

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is only trouble and tragedy;
For it quickly passes, and we disappear.
¹¹ Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
¹² So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:10-12

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Walking in Love (Ephesians Series)

Walking in Love

As we continue in our series in the book of Ephesians, we've been talking about our walk with the Lord.  Today we are talking about walking in love.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Walking in Love

We are in Ephesians 5 where Paul talks to us about walking in love.  Before we walk in love, we need to know that we are loved and that we need a model, an example to follow.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2

1.  You are loved by God.

We are to have to nothing to do with impurity.  (Ephesians 5:3)  When we look for satisfaction in impurity, we will fall into impurity's entrapment.  Real satisfaction is only found in God's love.

God's Love by R.C. Sproul

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2.  We have an example to follow.

Every single fear and anxiety would disappear if we could fully grasp God's love for us.  You are deeply loved by God.  God's love for us is unconditional and unfailing.

If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are a child of God.  We are to be Godly and follow His example.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. - Ephesians 1:3-5

We have no reason to live like orphans.  We are not orphans. You are, as a saved believer, adopted into the family of God.

We have His acceptance.

We have access to Him.  We can go to Him at any time.

We have His protection.

We have an inheritance.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace. - Ephesians 1:7

Because God loves us, we can walk in love.

Love serves.

Love is kind.

Love forgives.

Love gives.

Love shows.  Love is more than words.  Love is action.

Do you know God loves you?

Have you received God's love?

Are you showing His love to others?

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Walking Out Our Faith Effectively (Ephesians Series)

Walking Out Our Faith Effectively

In our Ephesians series at church today, we are talking about walking out our faith effectively. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Do you walk out your faith effectively?

 

Our scripture passage is is Ephesians 4:25-32.

Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are parts of one another. ²⁶ Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and do not give the devil an opportunity. ²⁸ The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. ²⁹ Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:25-32

We are to no longer walk in ignorance.  We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.  We are told in Ephesians 4:30 that we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit.  He is not an "it."  He is a person.  He is God.

Ephesians 4:9 Sign

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Walking Out Our Faith Effectively

1.  Walk honestly. (Ephesians 4:30)

Put away lies and speak truth.  Believers are to be clothed in honesty.  Relationships can only be maintained in unity in honesty.  Be truthful.  Living in truth is living Christ-like.  Living in lies is living like the enemy, the devil.  Satan is a master at deception.  Be honest about yourself.  We are all broken.  We all need accountability.

2.  Walk in serenity.

The word "serenity" means "peace and calm."  It is OK to be angry.  The emotion of anger is not a sin but emotions can result in sin.  Righteous anger is good.  It becomes wrong when it is self-centered.  That type of anger moves into your heart and it lingers.  It doesn't go away until you evict it.  Bad things can come into our lives due to selfish anger.

Don't go to bed angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

3.  Walk cautiously.

Do not give the devil any opportunity to trip up your walk.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

Guard your internet!  Lock every door of your heart and home.  If Satan is giving any opportunity to enter, he will walk in and rule.

 

4.  Live generously.  (Ephesians 4:28)

5.  Speak graciously.

Don't allow nasty stuff  to come out of your mouth.  Whatever comes out of your mouth reflects the condition of your heart.  We get desensitized due to our constant exposure to worldly words and behavior.  

 

Don't let Hollywood script your speech.

 

People can be mean with words.  Jesus was both tough and tender.  Speak truth in love.  Love difficult people because you are one too.

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Walk in Unity (Ephesians Study)

Walk in Unity

At my church, we have been walking through Ephesians for the past few weeks.  Today, we are talking about walking in unity.  We are looking at Ephesians 4:1-6.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Walking in the will of God doesn't mean walking in sunshine and roses all the time.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:1-6 

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The Holy Spirit has the power to transcend differences within the body of Christ.  He doesn't necessarily do this in the secular world, but He does within the church. (Ephesians 4:3)

Walk in Unity

1.  We are called to walk in unity.  

Remember your witness on social media.  Remember your witness in public places.

The Holy Spirit in me and in you get along perfectly.  The problem is our sinful flesh.

2.  We have been shown how to walk in unity.  

We have been shown how to walk in humility, gentleness, and patience.

We are to walk in gentleness coupled with humility.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - Matthew 11:29

Gentle people are not harsh with others.  Treat people the way Jesus treats you.  This is how we learn to put up with difficult people.

Be kind and understanding with one another.

Don't be a fault finder in regard to others.  Whatever you are looking for, good or bad, you will find.

3.  We have been told why we need to walk in unity.

We are one body and one hope in Jesus.

Unity is our most powerful witness to the world. 

That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. - John 17:21

Lord, make us one that we may reach many.

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Walk in Unity

Prayers for All the Saints (Ephesians Study)

Prayers for All the Saints

All we need in this life, we have in Jesus.  When living out God's truth, hearing is good.  Doing is better.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Let's take a look at Ephesians 1:3 and 3:14-21.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. - Ephesians 1:3

For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:14-21

Prayers for All the Saints

1.  Pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Our inner beings will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16)

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16

When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we are empowered.

2.  Pray for the closeness of Christ in our hearts.

In moments of pain and insecurity, Christ comes close to us.  We shouldn't invite Christ in as a visitor.  Invite Him in to dwell (to live) in your heart.

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 3.  Pray to be rooted and grounded in Christ's love. (Ephesians 3:17-18)

God's love is wide, long, high, and low. (Ephesians 3:18)

The love of God is unmeasurable.  You will never run out of the grace and love of God.  The love and fullness of God will pour over into our communities.  Pray these words over your loved ones.

God is able. (Ephesians 3:20)

Our prayers will never be met by a limited God.

Lord, make us one so that we may influence many.

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Prayers for All the Saints 

Are you dead or alive? (Ephesians Series)

Are you spiritually dead or spiritually alive?

Making our way through Ephesians, one of our church pastors asks the question, "Are you dead or alive?"  Today we are taking a look at Ephesians 1:1-10.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Are you dead or alive?

Death is our enemy.  Everything bad about life is rooted in death.  Are you spiritually dead or alive?  There are only two spiritual camps, dead or alive.  

1.  You were dead.

The difference between one sinner and another is the state of decay.

Death's Place

And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings. - Colossians 2:13

The unsaved person is controlled by the world.  He or she walks with the world.  They feel no conviction.  They go with the crowd.

In which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. - Ephesians 2:2

But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. - Ephesians 2:13-14

Death's Passions

We take things that God intended for our good, and we use them in an ungodly way. 

Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. - Ephesians 2:3

Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. - Romans 1:24

We are all guilty of sin.

Death's Future

Wrath is the future for spiritually dead people.  Physical death is a reality for all of us.

2.  God made you alive.

We are alone, addicted, deep in sin, etc . . . but God is rich in mercy.  He is filled with great love for us.

What is love?  Love is an act of will accompanied with emotion on behalf of a person or thing.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

What is mercy?  Mercy is not getting something you deserve.

What is grace?  Grace is getting something you don't deserve.

What are appropriate responses to mercy and grace?

*Overwhelming gratitude

*Explainable humility

*Radical obedience

*A desire to tell others what God has done for you.

Do you want to transform from spiritually dead to spiritually alive?  Learn more about how to do that here.

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Are you spiritually dead or alive?