Welcome back to
Daily Bread! So glad you’re here to share another study from the new
Testament. This time we have Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The Ephesians,
of course, are the people from Ephesus, which was a city near the western
coast of Asia, which is today called Turkey. The church at Ephesus is also
one of the Seven Churches of Asia from
Revelation
2:1-7. Paul visited Ephesus during his second and third missionary
journeys and you can refresh your memory about these visits in
Acts 18:19 -
19:41.
In this first
chapter of Paul’s letter, he points out the many blessings we have from God.
So often we think of blessings as tangible things, but spiritual blessings
are what really count. As you read, know that the blessings that Paul is
talking about are spiritual blessings that we possess as well as the people
of Ephesus, as you’ll see in a Paul’s greeting.
From Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints (believers) which are at Ephesus,
And to the faithful in Christ Jesus (That’s us)
So, you see, this letter is indeed written to us too! I’ve highlighted
all the blessings in a different color so you can’t miss them.
Grace be to you and
peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual gifts
in heavenly places in Christ, as He has chosen us in Him (to be His) before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before
Him in love, having chosen us to be adopted children by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the
glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the beloved (those
who are cherished). In whom we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace, in which He has
abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence (understanding), having made
known to us the mystery of His will (everlasting life), according to His
good pleasure which He has purposed (determined) in Himself, that throughout
the years He might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which
are in heaven, and which are on earth, truly in Him, in whom also we have
obtained an inheritance, being chosen according to the intent of Him who
does all things after the counsel of His own will, that we should be to the
praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted,
after you heard the Word of TRUTH, the Gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
which is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, to the praise of His glory.
Friends,
that’s a lot of blessings. Now Paul tells of the blessings that he prays
for, on our behalf.
For that reason, I
also, after I heard of your Faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the
saints, never stop giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my
prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
That the eyes of your understanding be enlightened,
That you may know what is the hope of His calling,
And the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us
who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power,
which He wrought in Christ,
when He raised Him from the dead,
and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
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 has put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
which is His body,
the fullness of Him that fills (completes) all in all.
In some of the
epistles coming up, you’ll find that Paul encourages prayer with
thanksgiving. Why not have a special prayer time of only thanksgiving? Often
times when we pray, we rattle off our list of complaints and requests and
suggestions, and we forget to thank our Father for all the blessings that He
bestows upon us. Has a child ever thanked you for something? Do you know how
good it would make God feel for you, His child to thank Him for His
spiritual blessings, from your heart? Go on, give it a try!
Next time we’ll
find out what else Paul has to say to the Ephesians . . . And to us, right
here at Daily Bread. Don’t miss it!
