Connected in Christ = our privilege, His purpose

March 4, 2020April 19, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

What was God’s purpose for Jesus after He died on the cross and rose from the dead? Ephesians 1:20 tells us how and where God placed Jesus, “that (the resurrection power of God) raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. The next verses God tells us of Jesus’ ultimate authority, “²¹Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” Lastly in verses 22-23 God tells us why He placed Jesus there, “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”

It is important for us to know that Jesus’ work on the cross finished the issue of salvation and forgiveness, but not His work in the world now and in the future. God has a plan for all time that He reveals in the Bible. He refers to all believers here as the church, elsewhere the Bride of Christ. They are a body of believers that are filled with His Spirit, the Spirit that fills all things.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we are connected with Him and to all other believers. We are all part of His body, the church. Using the analogy of a body for all believers shows were are connected, able to work together, have many parts and each have a unique job to accomplish for Him. So… how are you working within His body, the church, to accomplish what He has set out for you to do for Him? Are you cooperative with fellow believers? Do you work for His glory and not your own? Believers are not perfect, but sinners forgiven, and we need to be filled with His grace, mercy and love as we strive to work with others for the cause of Christ. Remember Christ said in John 13:34-35 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Spend some time in prayer today contemplating your place, work and spirit of cooperation within your local church. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are doing well and where you need His help to do better. He is faithful and will show you.

Linda

Experiencing His Power within

March 3, 2020April 16, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As Paul wrote that he was praying for the Ephesian believers, he eloquently told them he was praying for the eyes of their hearts to be flooded with light. He wanted them to know God, know His power and believe that they possess a portion of that same power in their lives. Ephesians 1:18-20 “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. ¹⁹I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Ask yourself, do I feel flooded with His light in my life? Am I confident and assured in my faith? Do I feel like I belong to Him? Paul says we can be sure of His love and power in our lives as it is the same power that raised Christ from the dead! His indwelling Holy Spirit is that power in our lives. The same power that created the universe and defeated death lives within us. When we truly grasp this truth, there is nothing that can shake or defeat us. In Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Today ask God to show you His power within as you step out in faith to engage in your day. May you have a new sense of confidence and awareness of His Holy Spirit within you.

Linda

The Privilege of Prayer

March 2, 2020April 19, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Do you have good friends of faith? Do you share your joys and struggles in your daily walk with Christ and praises for answered prayers? Paul had that kind of relationship with the Ephesians when he lived among them and it shows in his heartfelt message as he sought to encourage them in their faith. Ephesians 1:15-16. “Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, ¹⁶I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,” Paul had brought them to faith and was like a proud ‘papa’ over the continued growth of these believers. He was thankful for their lives of faith and prayed for them all the time.

A couple of months ago I was struggling with some health issues and a dear sister in Christ sent me a handmade card with the sentiment “I’m praying for you”. Just receiving her note encouraged me in my walk that day and each day after as I glanced at the card. Saying you’ll pray for someone is the most precious gift you can give them, so don’t say it if you don’t intend to actually pray. Paul was sincere and serious about prayer and he prayed constantly for those new believers in all the cities where he ministered.

Teaching, preaching, witnessing and prayer were all essential parts of Paul’s ministry. Even if we do not feel like we can be teachers or preachers we can all witness to the joy and power of Christ in our lives. We can all pray for those who we encounter who do not know Jesus, for our friends and family, and for specific troubles or circumstances we know people are experiencing. We can pray for our leaders at church, in our city and in our country. Prayer changes things and gives us opportunity to communicate with Father God about the people in our lives. Praying for others takes the focus off ourselves and acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all things. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can go directly to God in prayer. He is accessible because of our faith in Jesus.

Today spend some time in prayer for those around you that are hurting, despairing, in poor health, need comfort, strength or are walking down a wrong pathway. Thank God that they are in your life and that you can lift them up in the name of Jesus.

Linda

Lenten Sunday #1

March 1, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As you reflect today and prepare for another week, here are some truths we’ve uncovered so far in Ephesians. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead:

I can be His saint and faithfully, walk in His grace and experiencing His peace. Ephesians 1:1-2

I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3

I can be encouraged by God’s love, the redemption plan made perfect in Christ and the hope I now have in Him. Ephesians 1:4-6, 7-10

I now have His Holy Spirit living within me through faith affirming, testifying and guaranteeing my inheritance in Him. Ephesians 1:13-14

Praise God for His grace and goodness today knowing you are loved and that God Almighty has a plan for you that is perfected in Christ and guaranteed by His Holy Spirit.

Psalm 103 1 5 BlessTheLord Let Psalm 103:1-5 be on your lips today!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
²Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Linda

Here’s a guarantee you can count on!

February 29, 2020April 13, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s verses are some of the most precious in the New Testament and I refer to them often in my writing and speaking. They tell of our wonderful inheritance of salvation through faith in Christ and inclusion in God’s family through the power of the Holy Spirit. His power within us is our guarantee of God’s hope and promises to come. Be encouraged as you read, Ephesians 1:13-14 “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. ¹⁴The 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.”

I love that God knew us so well. He knew that our finite minds would need a guarantee to confirm our faith and help us cling to His promises. Praise God for the Holy Spirit that He has placed within us through faith. The Holy Spirit confirms and testifies with our spirit giving us hope and assurance in Him. “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, May you be encouraged by God’s love, the redemption plan made perfect in Christ and the hope you now have in Him. Praise God! Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Beloved,adopted and free in Christ!

February 28, 2020April 13, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Do you think God’s plan for redemption was sudden or made up on the spur of the moment when Adam sinned? God in his omnipotent wisdom knew we were frail creatures and when we sinned there needed to be a plan to bring us back into communion with Him. Ephesians 1:4-6, from the Message translation makes this passage easy to understand, “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”

Can you imagine that God had us in mind, wanted us to be in His family and to show His love to us even before He created the universe? I love that Paul says, God took pleasure in planning this. How much He loves us! Paul continues in verses 7-10 to explain God’s wonderful plan to redeem us and make us free. “Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.”

These verses are so encouraging. God loves us past, present and future. God wants us to be free and His plan is fulfilled for us in Christ. Faith in Jesus is the key.

May you be encouraged by God’s love, the redemption plan made perfect in Christ and the hope you now have in Him. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have all of this through faith in Him. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Spiritually Blessed, Thank you Jesus!

February 27, 2020April 16, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. This truth is stated in Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”

What does that really mean for you and me? What spiritual blessings come from heavenly places because of Christ and His work on the cross? Here are a few: I am saved for eternity, I will live with Him in heaven forever, I am considered part of God’s family and Christ called believers His brothers and sisters. God has a plan for my life and has good things and a future for me, Jeremiah 29:11. I am forgiven, I am considered holy and blameless through Jesus’ work on the cross, I will live after death and rise to be with Him, I am beloved of God and God has given me His Holy Spirit to live within me.

As you meditate today try to lengthen this list of spiritual blessings you have because of Christ. We are truly blessed as children of God!

Linda

Travel with me to Ephesus this Lent

February 26, 2020April 16, 2026 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Ancient forum and roadway where Paul would have walked and preached.

Walk with me during Lent through the book of Ephesians as we meditatively think about all that we have and are in Christ. Let’s look at the unity of the body of believers growing there as Paul preached and taught for 2 years. Later John also came to Ephesus and lived among the believers. We will see the aspects of who we are in Christ, what place the body of believers called the church is to God and finish with the wonderful words about the armor available to us in Christ. Each day we will see the amazing provisions and position we have because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead.

As we begin this Ash Wednesday, let’s look at Ephesians 1:1-2. Paul introduces himself in the letter, tells who he’s writing to and pronounces a preliminary greeting that is typical of his writing.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

²Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Put yourself in Ephesus and become one of the believers who received this letter from the Apostle Paul. He is addressing you as a saint, a faithful believer and he is sending greetings of grace and peace from God. Do you think of yourself as a saint? The New Testament repeatedly refers to believers as ‘saints’. He also attributes faithfulness to their walk of faith. How would you describe your daily walk with Jesus? Are you faithful? Paul also sends you grace, which is God’s unmerited favor, and His peace. What precious gifts these are. How will you use or experience God’s favor today? Will you rest in His peace? As Ephesians opens we see that because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can be His saints and faithfully, walk in His grace and experiencing His peace. Praise God!

Walk with me towards the cross, contemplating our sinfulness and His blameless character. Join me in daily meditation and prayer for these coming 40 days of repentance and focus on who God desires us to be because of Jesus and His sacrifice.

Paul would have stood on the library steps surrounded by enormous stone work, telling of the might and power of Jesus.

Let’s journey towards the cross together.

Linda

Join me for an Ephesians Filled Lent- prepare your hearts as Lent begins tomorrow!

February 25, 2020 nofearlinda4 Comments

Each year I blog daily during the Lenten Season. Writing for 40 days causes me to be committed and focused on my Savior, and it is not so easily accomplished that I can fake my way through it. I need to rely upon Jesus to see me through the 40 days.

As Lent approaches each year, I pray about what message God wants me to focus on as I look to the cross. This year He has led me to the book of Ephesians. It has 6 chapters and I plan to look at selected verses during the 6 weeks of Lent. As a whole Ephesians is a book filled with encouragement for Christian living and unity that God desires to be present in the church. I am looking forward to this journey beginning tomorrow on Ash Wednesday February 26.

Plan to join me!

Linda

#9 Practicing Devotion to God- by relying upon His Grace

February 24, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

What is Grace? It is defined as God’s unmerited favor towards us. We did nothing and can do nothing to deserve His favor. It is something that God gives us freely by faith in Jesus from the depth of His love for us. Scripture teaches us that God’s grace is always sufficient and because God is omnipotent He will never run out of grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 is one of my go to verses for power, strength and assurance about God’s grace. Paul recalls the words of Christ to him, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God graciously gives us what we need in our weakness and brings glory to Himself by showing His power in our lives. I cling to the sufficiency of His grace.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We are saved by His grace, certainly not by anything we have done or will do. We cannot be good enough, clean enough or pure enough on our own. Salvation is a gracious gift of God given to us through our faith in Jesus. He saves us by grace and graciously uses us to do His good works. He could do everything himself, but He graciously allows us to participate for our good and His glory.

Hebrews 4:16 adds one other dimension to His grace towards us. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Because of our faith in Jesus, our high priest, and His work on the cross, we have access to God and can approach Him in prayer. When we do, we are assured that we will find grace and mercy in our times of need. There is never a time that God is not with me and I can always know that He will meet my needs with grace and mercy. What a blessed hope!

May you grow to trust in His grace, lean into and depend upon His grace and let His grace give you Hope as you draw near to Him with a heart of love and devotion.

Linda

I pray you have been blessed as much as I have by going through these 9 practical ways to show our loyalty and devotion to God. We can practice devotion to God by: recalling His attributes, remembering His good works towards us, relating to Him in prayer, reading and meditating on His Word, resting in our identity in Christ, repenting regularly, responding to the world biblically, remembering our Savior and relying upon His grace. May you remember to incorporate these into your life on a daily basis and receive His blessings!