Reflection on Ephesians 1:1-14

Image

Scripture

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Observation
Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.

God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. God loved us and chose us before the creation of the world. God decided beforehand to adopt us into His family.

God’s grace is enormous, poured out abundantly on us, including the gift of salvation. Because of our relationship with Christ we will receive an inheritance from God. The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that we will receive all that God had promised, for His praise and glory.

Application
God has given us so much in Christ! We often take all of this for granted, or perhaps we don’t understand the extent of His grace.

Firstly we are forgiven and are destined for eternal life with God. All of our sins are wiped away by God’s grace. We don’t have to make sacrifices or grovel for forgiveness.

Secondly we are adopted into God’s family. In the past only people from one ethnic group were entitled to be a part of God’s family, but now it is open to everyone, everywhere.

Thirdly we will receive an inheritance. It is not clear what this is exactly, but we are in the will of the creator of the universe, joint heirs with His Son.

If we are tempted to doubt all of this, we have the Holy Spirit who confirms, yes we are born again and headed for glory.

Prayer
Father, I thank you with all my heart for what you have done for me in Jesus Christ. Help me to more fully plumb the depths of your grace so that I can more fully praise your name. Amen.

Beneath the Surface

sydney-harbour-fireworks

All over the world last night there were events such as this, where millions of people gathered to celebrate a new year.

While they had the public’s attention, the real power in 2014 was being unleashed in thousands of smaller gatherings ranging from 5 or so to perhaps a thousand.

New Year’s prayer vigils in every little town and many little churches invoked God’s blessing in their communities in the year ahead.

I took part in such a meeting, from 9pm to midnight- and it was the best three hours I have invested in a long time.

Happy New Year!

Reflection on Jeremiah 31:7-14

joy

The Lord commands us “Rejoice!”

For He will restore and pardon

Those whom He has punished

The nation of His heart.

Where we are scattered,

He will gather like Israel

restored from the four corners

Like sheep gathered under a shepherd

What bounty, what provision

For a nation, food and wine

For a people joy and gladness

All at the hands of the Lord.

Do you know Him?

Do you know the Lord?

Turn to Him and come back home

You will find deep joy in Him.