Christian Paradigm Shifts

"Act, and God will act" - Joan of Arc     Read: Ephesians 6:10 - 20 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of ...

Ephesians 6:1-9 Read : Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),   “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Listen:   http://www.bibleg...

Scripture: Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.   For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,   that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,   so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.   For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,   because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall lea...

"The Bride of Christ" - William Hallmark, artist      I have been anxious to get to this portion of our study. I have been reading Martin Luther's Concerning Christian Liberty. It is a treatise on the freedom of a christian  - freedom from sin and death, and the opportunity to serve one's neighbor. The following portion hit me like a ton of bricks and brought me new understanding to Ephesians 5 - "The Marriage Chapter". We always hear about a wife submitting to her husband and a husband loving his wife. These are true statements and should be put into practice. These principles and actions are only a reflection of the true marriage between Jesus (the Husband) and the Church (the Bride). Even Paul states, "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." Ephesians 5:32 Martin Luther gives a great illustration of the great exchange that has been made on our behalf. Read the excerpt below. Soak it in. You a...

Read: Ephesians 5:1-4 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.   But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.   Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Listen: http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Eph.5.1-Eph.5.4 Watch: From the ESV Study Bible notes: Believers are to imitate God’s holiness in all of their conduct. They are to be like him, not as slaves trying to earn a wage but as children —and beloved children at that! Christians must be careful to guard their integrity and public reputation because public sins dishonor God, who has chosen them to be holy.

While I have been reading and studying Ephesians, I have not posted in a bit on the study. Ephesians 4:17-19 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.   They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. Take a listen: http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Eph.4.17-Eph.4.19 Observation: We are not to be like those who do not know God. We are to live our lives in a way that pleases God. God has a standard that we are to live by. Those who do not know God follow their own desires and wants. Application: We are in the Lenten season. A time of reflection of who we are in relation to Christ. The event which puts it all into perspective is Jesus in the Garden of Gethseman...

 Okay, this week I am back on track for the actual week we are focusing on. Today is Day #1 of Week #4 - Ephesians 3:1-3 Ephesians 3 Audio KJV - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/Eph.3 Scripture: For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, KJV Observation: Paul explains that he is a prisoner not of the Roman government but a prisoner of Christ. The purpose of his imprisonment was for the Gentiles. He goes on to explain the ministry he received from Christ was by the grace of God. He revealed to Paul the fullness of the mystery which had been hidden. Application: Even though he was under arrest, Paul maintained his firm belief that God was in control of all that happened to him. Do circumstances ever make you wonder if God has lost control of this world? ...

Today's post is from last week's lesson. Sorry for the mixup. My days have all blended together. Wednesday Ephesians 2:6-7 Ephesians 2 - HCSB Audio - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mcconachie/hcsb/Eph.2.6-Eph.2.7 Scripture: Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. HCSB God is so good to us. We are trophies of his grace. His grace cannot be measured. All of this is given to us because of what Jesus has done for us. I was telling my students today how God is both believeable and unbelievable. That may seem like a contradiction but it is not. God is believable because He is trust worthy. He fulfills His promises to us. His word is true. His word tells of His magnificent acts - creation, deliverance, salvation, etc. But all all of this is unbelievable in the sense of how good His acts are toward us. Like th...

This post is from last week's lesson. Sorry for the mixup. My days have all blended together. Monday Ephesians 2:1-3 Ephesians 2 -  Audio NIV - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Eph.2.1-Eph.2.3 Scripture: 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. NIV Bible Observation: "Trespasses" are lapses; "sins" are shortcomings. Apart from Christ, people are without authentic spiritual life. In this state the most vital part of the human personality is dead; thus people cannot by their own efforts or ingenuity experience fellowship with God or meet His requirements.[HCSB Study notes] The human c...

This is the third week of the Good Morning Girls Ephesians study. This video is by Gene Getz from the HCSB Life Essentials Bible. I thought it would be a great way to dive into this week's study.

Today is day 4 of Week #2 Thursday Ephesians 1:20-21 Ephesians 1 - Holman Christian Standard Bible Audio - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mcconachie/hcsb/Eph.1.20-Eph.1.21 Scripture: He (God) exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Today is Day 3 of Week #2 Wednesday Ephesians1:18-19 Ephesians 1 -ESV Audio -   http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Eph.1.18-Eph.1.19 Scripture: I pray 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

Today is Day 2 ofWeek #2 Tuesday - Ephesians 1:17 Ephesians 1 - TNIV Audio http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/multi/tniv/Eph.1.17 Scripture: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. TNIV Observation: "Paul wanted the Ephesian believers to understand what great spiritual resources were theirs in Christ. Revelation refers to the insight and the discernment the Spirit brings to the mysteries of divine truth. Paul wanted his readers to have a spirit of wisdom so that they might get to know God more completely. God has given believers wisdom ( vv. 8-9 ), but Paul prayed for the church not only to understand but to experience these blessings." *Quotation from HCSB Study Bible Notes Application: "Paul is asking that we might know God better. That we might look beyond appearances, to see the Church as God does - a people transformed to display His glor...

Today is Day 1 of Week #2 Monday - Ephesians 1:15-16 Ephesians 1 - NIV Audio - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Eph.1.15-Eph.1.16 Scripture: For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all his people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. TNIV Observation: Since I heard about your faith : Most likely Paul wrote and sent the letters to the Ephesians, the Colossians, and Philemon at the same time. Philemon 5 indicates that Paul recently had received word about the faith of the believers in the region of Asia Minor. Never stop giving thanks : Paul particularly was thankful for his readers' faith and love. Faith finds its focus in Christ and expresses itself in love to others. Such love is the evidence of genuine faith ( Gal 5:6 ). *HCSB Study Bible Notes Application: Paul prayed for the believers to know God better. How do you get to know someone? By reading biographical informat...

Today is day 5 of Week #1 Friday - Ephesians 1:13 - 14 Ephesians 1 - NASB Audio - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mcconachie/nasb/Eph.1.13-Eph.1.14 Scripture: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Observation: Our salvation is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. The Amplified Bible says it this way: "That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the first fruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it--to the praise of His glory." He is the assurance of our salvation we will one day fully possess. Application: The Holy Spirit is at work in us to transform us now and what we are experien...

Today is day 3 of Week #1 Wednesday - Ephesians 1:7-10 Ephesians 1 - TNIV Audio - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/multi/tniv/Eph.1 Scripture: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,  to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. TNIV Bible Observation: God is lavish ~ The Ephesian believers were surrounded by the industry of idolatry. Many unbelievers made huge profits in the nearby temple of Diana. So Paul reminded the faithful Christians of the spiritual treasures God has lavished on them: redemption trough His blood, forgiveness of sins and the riches of God's grace. God is a lavish giver, but His best gifts are often invisible: redemption, ...

Today is day 2 of Week #1. Tuesday - Ephesians 1:5-6 Ephesians 1 - HCSB Audio - Dale McConachie http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mcconachie/hcsb/Eph.1.5-Eph.1.6 Scripture: He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. Observation: We have been chosen [selected as a kindness or favor] before hand to be adopted into Christ's family. We are chosen for God Himself. His grace [unmerited favor] has made us accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ. Application: I am an adult adoptee. I know how much my parents love me as if I were of their own flesh. This helps me to know that the Father adopted me into His family with even greater love, the giving of His One and Only Son as a sacrifice for my sin. Prayer: Father, help me to rest in your love and grace. When I am feeling unloved or unlovable, remind me of your great love for me in Christ. In Jesus...

Today begins our Ephesians study. Hopefully you've been just as excited about this study as I am. Ephesians is about the community of believers. It tells of what God has done for us in His Son. Because of Christ's work on our behalf, Ephesians encourages believers how interact with one another. Remember the time spent in God's Word is never wasted! Monday - Ephesians 1:1-4 Ephesians 1 - ESV Audio - Max McLean http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Eph.1.1-Eph.1.4 Communities of Faith - Gene Getz - http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1294/ S.O.A.P Scripture: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight...

I just wanted to remind my readers that the Good Morning Girls Winter Bible Study begins on January 15th. I've done two previous studies with GMG and it is a wonderful way to dig into God's Word and build friendships with other sisters in the Lord. The Good Morning Girls Study uses the SOAP method. You can download the study guide here: http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/01/winter-2012-ephesians-downloadable-documents/ . The wonderful thing about this study is that it is free. All you need is your favorite Bible, a pen, and a notebook. I'll also be supplementing the study with Ephesians: Enjoying Right Relationships by Gene Getz & Claude King. I am really looking forward to this study. Last year, my pastor completed a study on Ephesians. His focus was the Body of Christ. He used the following verses from Ephesians 4 ~ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibilit...

Starting January 15th I will be participating in and blogging about the Ephesians Bible study being led by Courtney and Angela at www.goodmorninggirls.org . I will also be supplementing the study with the study guide pictured. Courtney and Angela have already posted an intro video - Please join me on this learning journey. Let me know if you would like to follow along. I look forward to hearing from you. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Proverbs 27:17 NLT).