Bible Pathways - Dec. 3, 2008
December 3
Highlights In Today's Reading:
The invisible Church, made up of all true believers, is Christ's Body (1:3-6); bought by His blood (1:7-12); has Christ as its Head; He is exalted above all things and hath put all things under His feet (1:19-23). The Church is a living, Holy Body of Christ (2:19-22).
The little word all occurs over forty times in the brief six chapters of Ephesians and becomes the key for the believer who will settle for nothing less than God's will as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (1:4). God the Father ordained that Christ should be raised far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, Which is His Body (1:21-23).
God's redeeming love has no other aim than that we receive Christ as Savior and Lord. 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. . . . But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith he loved us . . . hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). . . . For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (2:1-10).
Let us be willing to give up our all to receive His all. The all of Christ is what we must seek. His will revealed in His Word should be our only concern. We don't read all the Bible. We foolishly think we have all the answers without it.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Eph. 1:17).
Thought for Today:
All we will ever need is found in Jesus. For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) should all fullness dwell (Col. 1:19).
Cross References:
For Eph. 1:22: See Ps. 8:6. Eph. 2:17: See Is. 57:19.
Word Studies:
1:8 prudence =b> spiritual insight; 1:10 dispensation of the fulness of times =b> last period of God's dealings with mankind; 1:13 sealed =b> ownership; 1:14 earnest =b> first installment of our inheritance; 2:1 quickened =b> made alive; 2:13 sometimes =b> formerly (not "occasionally"); 3:3 made known to me the mystery =b> purpose of God is now made known; 3:13 faint not =b> don't give up or be discouraged.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Miss Helayne Abrams • Staff: Barbara Bivens • Government Officials: Rep. Stephanie Herseth (SD), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), and Rep. Ralph Regula (OH) • Country: Portugal (10 million) in western Europe • Major language: Portuguese • Limited religious freedom • 95% Christian; 4% non-Religious/Other; .5% Muslim; .1% Hindu; .01% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for your adversaries (Ps. 109:4).
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Chronicles 7:14
