Ephesians 2:11-16 (HCSB)Unity in Christ11 So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. 12 At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But no...  Read More

Ephesians 2:1-10  (HCSB)From Death to Life2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and ...  Read More

BLESSINGS IN CHRISTPaul wrote his letter to the Ephesians while under house arrest in Rome around AD 61 or 62. In this section of the letter, Paul wrote about the great blessings believers enjoy in Christ and about his prayers for the Ephesian believers.Being "in Christ" opens the floodgates of spiritual blessings into the lives of those who choose to believe in Christ.Study the Word: Key Truth: B...  Read More

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK Some of the blessings of being a Christian are found in Eph. 1:3-14. We are chosen, holy, blameless, loved, predestined, adopted, favored…and that’s just verse 4!  How do each of those blessings affect your life?  How are they evident? How do they affect your view of God? Hebrews 9:11-14 describes Jesus as the greater tabernacle, able to enter not by animal sacrifice but His...  Read More

1 Peter 1:3-9 (HCSB)A Living Hope3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is rea...  Read More

Hebrews 9:11-16 (HCSB)New Covenant Ministry11 But the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation ), 12 He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bul...  Read More

Ephesians 1:20-23 (HCSB)God’s Power in Christ 20 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens — 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church...  Read More

Ephesians 1:15-19 (HCSB)Prayer for Spiritual Insight15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the perception of y...  Read More

Ephesians 1:1-14 (HCSB)Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Rich Blessings 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. 4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundati...  Read More

DELIGHTING IN GOD'S WORDThe Psalms were written by various authors and come from various periods of Israel's history from Moses to the postexilic times. They were set to music and used in the worship of God. Many were written by David. Psalm 119 reveals the great value of God's Word in leading believers through life and its joys and challenges.This psalm is a lengthy acrostic poem on the value of ...  Read More

Ephesians A Suggested Outline of EphesiansI. Doctrine: The Believer’s Blessings in Christ (1–3)   A. Our Possessions in Christ (1:1–14)         1. From the Father (1:1–6)         2. From the Son (1:7–12)         3. From the Spirit (1:13–14)   B. Prayer for Enlightenment (1:15–23)   C. Our Position in Christ (2)         1. Raised and Seated on the Throne (2:1–10)         2. Reconciled and Set ...  Read More

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEKIt is incredible that Psalm 119 goes on for 176 verses just praising God! We often make it a whole day without thanking or praising God once. What is something specific that God did for you today that you should praise Him for?  Why did God do that for you? How can that change your interactions with others? One of the themes in this Psalm is that of purity (esp. vss. 9-16) – ...  Read More