Ephesians 3

What God has done- in Ephesians 3

• Vs 2 - God gives us Grace
• Vs 9 - God created all things
• Vs 10 - God gave wisdom through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places
• Vs 14-15 - Every family in heaven and on earth derives it's name from God (Even the Lackey's!)
  
• Vs 16 - He grants us according to the riches of his Glory - to be strengthened with power through his spirit.

I may have to look up a commentary on Vs 10 - I don't think I fully understand it.

Ephesians 3:10 (New International Version)

10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

My Matthew Henry Commentary says this: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. v 10. The manifold wisdom of God; that is things, or of the many ways he takes in ordering his church and especially in receiving the Gentiles into it. And this is according to his eternal purpose which is accomplished in Christ Jesus.

Vs 14 & 15 - Every families name is derived from God! (I believe that this is talking about those that have a relationship with Jesus Christ - and are called by his name.) Although - I do believe that God gives us our name - through our parents. All names have a spiritual connotation

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Baby Names Meanings

Lori means Victorious One - I believe that God's desire is for me to be victorious - but Satan's plan is that I experience the opposite.

Finally - my favorite portion of Ephesians 3 is 17 - 20

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 breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up 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,

How incredible - God does give us His wisdom - and I have prayed for His wisdom all of my 19 years as a believer - HEY!!!! TODAY IS MY 19TH BIRTHDAY AS A CHRISTIAN!!! - But I so desire that I would be filled more so with his Love - God's love surpasses knowledge... Father - please fill me with your love - that it would pour out of me so that I can not hold it in. Jesus I desire your heart. Father, give me a love for those that I may deem un-loveable.

Ephesians 2

Marking each reference to God - and making a list of what He has done.

1. Rich in mercy and great in love - vs 4
2. Made us alive together with Christ, through his Grace - even when we were dead - vs 5
3. Raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places - vs 6
4. Will show the surpassing riches of His grace in Kindness - vs 7
5. For by grace I have been saved - through faith, not of myself, it is a gift of God - vs 8
6. I am His workmanship - created in Christ for good works, prepared before hand by God, so that I can walk in them. - vs 10
7. I was separated, but am no longer - vs 12
8. I have been brought near by the blood o f Christ vs 13
9. He is peace - and has broke down the barrier of the dividing wall - vs 14
10. He established peace - vs 15
11. Reconciliation through the cross - vs 16
12. Preached peace to those near and far - vs 17
13. Given us access in one spirit to the Father vs 18
14. Made me a fellow citizen and part of God's house- vs 19
15. Grows us/me into the Holy temple in the Lord - vs 21

Inductive Bible Study - Ephesians

What I've learned so far -

Chapter 1 - mark each reference to God, then make a list of everything God does.

1. Wills us (vs 1)
   
2. gives peace vs 2
   
3. Blessed us with spiritual blessings - vs 3
   
4. Chose us in Him - makes us holy and blameless before Him - in Love- vs 4
   
5. Predestined us to adoption as sons - vs 5
   
6. Freely bestows His Grace - vs 6
   
7. Redemption through his blood - forgiveness - vs 7
   
8. Lavishes wisdom and insight on us - vs 8
   
9. made known His will - vs 9
10. Gives us an inheritance, predestines us, works all things according to His will - vs 11
11. Salvation - sealed in His promise - vs 13
12. Predestined - redemption - vs 14
13. Gives spirit of wisdom, revelation and knowledge - vs 17
14. Opens our eyes and hearts - gives hope and an inheritance - vs 18
15. Raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand - vs 20
16. All things are subject to Jesus - through God - vs 22
    

New Inductive Bible Study

This is a wonderful Bible - that has very little commentary in it.

What is Inductive Study?

With this style of Bible study, you learn directly from the Bible using a series of thought- provoking guides. Kay Arthur is an incredible teacher and speaker. Her web page has free downloads for various books of the bible. Here is a link to her web page that answers the question - what is Inductive Study http://www.precept.org/site/PageServer?pagename=brd_whatisinductivestudy

I have completed the book of James - and found insight that literally opened the eyes of my heart.

James Chapter 3:13-18 spoke to me - regarding my position at work, and the politics that go with it.

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

As I read this, I was convinced that there are many in leadership postitions, in schools, corporations, and the government, that do what they do, because of selfish ambition, and jealousy. I desire to be the kind of leader that does what I do, because of the Love that God has bestowed on me. It is my hope, that everything I do - whether at home or at work - has a positive eternal consequence.

My prayer has been, that I would be pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering and without hypocrisy. I know that there are those out there that are on the other side - I desire to not look at the reason behind why they do what they do, but to continue to fight the good fight - in the Spirit of the Lord.

An interesting insight that I've received - For years, I would pray that I would have Wisdom from above. The book of James confirmed that this is to be our prayer. I'm now studying Ephesians - and the first day I read Ephesians 3:19 "and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."

Father, fill me with your love, that it would pour out of me - so much that I can't hold it in. Use me Jesus. I desire your heart Father, to love even those that offend me. I have desired your wisdom, and you have granted it. Thank you Father

The Shunning - Beveryly Lewis

The Shunning is a novel - by Beverly Lewis - Book 1 of the Heritage of Lancaster County. I'm only on the first couple of chaptes, and am beginning to think I've read it before, but it's Christmas vacation, and it's a good easy read, so I'll read it again, and maybe work my way through the series. So far, it's about a young amish lady - who is about to get married. It seems her mam had a deep secret... I don't think I'll blog much about this book - since there isn't a lot of depth to it...

The Shack

The Shack is an INCREDIBLE book that really makes you think! I will be posting more about it - as I re-read it. Yep, I'm going to re-read it,it's that good!