Tag: Ephesians

Accountable to God: Day 7

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional8 Comments

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January 17, 2011
Today’s Text:  Read Ephesians 2:8-10

 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

 

Today’s verses are some of the most powerful in the New Testament.  It tells how we were saved, and to what purpose.

 

How are we saved?  We were saved by grace!  Grace is unmerited favor.  We did not deserve anything good from God, yet in spite of ourselves God gave us His very best.  It was His decision and will to save us.  We don’t have the opportunity to be saved because we wanted to be or because we deserved to be.  It was God’s gracious will alone that has brought us salvation!  When we trust in Christ to save us by faith, God graciously counts us as right with Him and treats us as His children.  That is incredible!

 

What was the purpose of our salvation?  According to verse 10 we were saved “unto good works”.  It was in God’s plan to save us so that we can do the things he wants us to do.  We were saved to please God in the things that we do.  We aren’t saved by the things that we do.  We are saved to do good things!

 

Application:

 

In making Christ the center of our lives, and giving ourselves to Him first, we must recognize why we were saved.  We were saved to please God by who we are and what we do.  What are you going to do today to show your salvation?

Accountable to God: Day 6

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional5 Comments

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January 16, 2011
Today’s Text:  Read Romans 5:12, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Ephesians 2:1-3

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Romans 5:12

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” 2 Corinthians 5:14

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”  Ephesians 2:1-3

If we are going to live a life that pleases the Lord, we must give ourselves wholeheartedly to Him first.  That is the focus of this week’s study.  The Christian life is a Christ-centered life, and if we are to focus on Christ the first thing we must remember is what He has done for us.

In today’s verses, all written by the Apostle Paul, we learn not only what we were, but what we are now that Christ has saved us.  Not only were we going to die without Christ, before we are saved we are spiritually dead.  After we are saved we are spiritually alive!  This isn’t just religious terminology.  God has given us so much!  As we realize what Christ has done for us, how can we help but give ourselves fully and completely to Him?

Application:

Here is a great question to help you apply today’s devotion:  What do you think giving yourself to God looks like in your life?

Voices: We’re Not Alone

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional7 Comments

voices largebanner2November 22, 2011:  Day 2

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

Ephesians 6:12-18

Have you ever met someone who believed in UFO’s or Aliens?  Our culture is crazy about considering the idea that we are not alone in the universe.  It’s amazing how many movies, books, and other media has these themes.

When I was a kid I loved movies like E.T…

and Star Wars…

Both of these movies had the idea that we aren’t the only ones in the universe.  Now, no matter what you believe about aliens, you know the thought has always seemed to interest mankind.  Are we alone in the universe?  Is there anybody out there?  Take me to your leader!  🙂

Today, we’re continuing our Voices series with this incredible passage in Ephesians.  Paul (the author of the letter) explains that we really aren’t alone in the universe.  What do we learn from this passage:

  • There are spiritual beings in existence that are neither man nor God. (v.12)
    “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
  • These spiritual beings have order and a heirerarchy. (v. 12)
    “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.“
  • These spiritual beings are evil and therefore our enemies. (v.12b)
    “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
  • Spiritual wickedness must be fought with spiritual wholeness. (v.13-18)
    We must be prepared to fight these spiritual battles. We can’t give in to the voices of spiritual wickedness or those who those voices influence.

Application:
For today’s application I want you to pick out one (or more if you are interested) of the pieces of spiritual armor that is in verse 13-18. Talk about the armour and how it can help you in your life today!