Daily Reading Ephesians 3 January 15 2010

Day 3 

All God's Word is wonderful to read but this is another rich illustration of just how much God loves us. Enjoy your reading today and remember to pray the promises you read over yourself and others.

Ephesians 3:1-13 NIV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles–
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.10 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,11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 

• Throughout today's reading Paul speaks of the mystery of the gospel and how it was not revealed until Christ came. He speaks about the plan being made known. We live in the dispensation of the grace of God and we know of His love and grace toward not only Israel but also toward all who would believe. The Apostle Paul's position in this was to let the gentiles know that Jesus died for all! Praise God He died for me and you regardless of race, family blood line, status and with out regard to any other prerequisite.
  

• V. 10 shows the importance of the church and that God created the church to be a united body made up of like-minded individuals. Not elite and slaves, but that all would be equal because He saved us all with the same measure of grace. This passage speaks again of the authority of the church. It demonstrates again that Jesus has put all principalities and powers under His feet and under the dominion of the church. We have been given the keys to the Kingdom. We have been given the right to bind and loose. We can pray the prayer of agreement in unity and God will respond to our prayers. 

Matthew 18: 18-20

18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will bebound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” 

• V. 11 Reminds us that we can "come boldly to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). We have been granted access to the Holy of Holies. Our Priesthood was established when Jesus went to the Cross and the veil separating man from God was torn into and was made irreparable.   Now we can know for sure that nothing can separate us from the Love of God!

Romans 8:38-39

³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NIV

Daily Reading Eph. 2 cont'd January 14 2010

Day 4

 

This is a great scripture reminded us of God's grace and mercy towards man. I am so thankful that He found me when I was lost. Now because of the Cross I am free!

 

Ephesians 2:11-22 NIV

One in Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)–12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

V. 13 

What a wonderful reminder of the grace of God in verse 13 - Mankind was once a million miles from God with no hope of ever knowing Him but then  God sent His Son, Jesus. It's by His Blood that we are now able to have access to the Father (V. 18). Praise God for the Blood!

V. 15

He fulfilled the law and did away with the lists of rules that we could never fulfill anyway. Now we can be saved by grace and grace alone. Thank God I don't have to be good enough to earn the love of God. 

Praise God for this Word of Grace

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

Daily Reading January 13 2010 Ephesians 2

Day 3 - Alive in Christ

I pray you are enjoying reading God's Word. The passage today has some tremendous promise in it.

Ephesians 2

Made Alive in Christ

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2 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.3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–9 not by works, so that no one can boast.10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Verse 6 shares a great promise that we can pray, this is undoubtedly a verse of authority for those who confess it - I am raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly realms. 

Verse 10 another great confession that shows God has purpose for our lives - I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do. 

Remember to pray the Word of God, confess these scriptures today! 

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

Daily Reading Jan 12 2010 Eph 1 cont'd

Day 2

I pray that God is speaking to you as you faithfully read His Word!

Pastor Larry

Ephesians 1:11-23 NIV 
¹¹In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 ¹⁵For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Daily Bible Reading January 11th

Today is the first day of our daily readings for 2010. I have included the passage for today from the New International Version. Feel free to use this post for your reading or choose your favorite translation. Read this scripture for content prayerfully asking the Lord to speak to you through the Word as you read and study. I pray that God will give you understanding and wisdom as you read God's Word.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry 

Ephesians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession–to the praise of his glory. 
NIV

Family Reunion

This weekend at Porter Church was special in many ways. Our church feels more and more like a family each and every time we come together. The fellowship was so good yesterday before service that I didn't want to stop it. Even after service many lingered to talk and encourage one another. As we continue to grow together in the grace of God He continues to bless and favor us in new ways. The worship was excellent, great job praise team and the service went well with many ministering to one another. The most special part of our day was being a part of a long over due reunion of siblings. Bill and Susan, brother and sister, had been a part from one another for 40 years when Bill tracked Susan down. The first meeting didn't take place at our church but it was carried over to church. How awesome to see siblings reunited and worshiping together. I couldn't help but think of how many heavenly reunions we will someday have. While each week is special with our church family there was something amazing about how God was bringing this family back together after so many years of separation. I am glad I was able to be a part of this great moment. God is so good, I am thankful for the unity and outpouring of favor we are experiencing at the Porter Church.

blessings,

Pastor Larry

Beware of Burnout!

As usual this past weekend I busied myself with "very important tasks." As I was laying in the church bathroom floor at 6 PM Saturday evening I was pressing myself to finish so I would have time to pray, finish the sermon, setup the sound equipment in the new sound booth, and print the bulletin for the next morning. It was at that time that I began to wonder if God ever laughed at me. There I was trying to install a hot water tank that was too large for the space it had to go in, wiring electric without turning it off, all while laying in a pool of water. How crazy is that! I am no carpenter, no sound man, and no plumber but there I was doing "kingdom work"? It was at that moment that I realized how humorous and pathetic I sometimes must appear to God. He must get some pretty good laughs out of my sacrificial works. I am not saying that the things that I was doing were not important or that they didn't need to be done, what I am saying is that I had forgotten to lean on the Lord and I was running out in front again trying to make things work. You see we needed all those things done and I wasn't about to wait to find qualified people to do them, it was up to me! After installing the hot water tank and wiring it with hot wires (not smart) I finished the sound booth and went to the bulletin and prayer. I was playing the role of Martha. I had to have the church perfect and ready for Him and the other guests the next morning. My 9-noon Saturday workday had turned into a 9 AM - 12 AM all day event and I hadn't even seen my kids. I'm not complaining, no one forced me to busy myself. But at that moment while I was so busy I felt significant. It wasn't until I reflected that I realized I was neglecting the best things. My family time, study time, and prayer time was being divided amongst things that are not eternal. No wonder so many church workers burn out. We convince ourselves "I must do it because no one else will" and there we go playing Martha, jealous of those who sit at the feet of Jesus like free loaders. Obviously, I need a little more time at his feet. How about you? Are you always running around busying yourself?

This story ends with the biggest laugh of all. Sunday morning I had to get up very early after just a few hours of sleep because the church was dirty and needed a good cleaning. It was then that I discovered that the new hot water tank wasn't even functioning. Why? I hadn't been leaning on Him! At that moment all I could do was join God and laugh at myself. Yesterday, Monday, through a members help a plumber went to the church and simply connected the wire I had not and hooked up the hot water tank correctly. What took me hours he, with his expertise did in minutes and didn't charge us a penny. Alright Lord I get it, lean not on my own understanding. If I had simply purchased the hot water tank and left it alone it would have been installed by a professional and wouldn't have caused me any stress whatsoever. Thank you Lord for being a great teacher and next time I'll try to be quiet and listen before busying myself with the lesser things. As one of our men, Paul, often says Lord I am just a "C" student.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry