Devotional Thoughts

Ephesians 1:7-12   "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  (8)  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  (9)  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  (10)  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  (11)  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  (12)  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." I am using several verses of Scripture because Paul wrote long sentences. A few days ago, we saw that 7 times in 11 verses, the spiritual blessings that are listed are in Christ. It's very important to...

Matthew 3:13-17    "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."   To me, there is no more powerful phrase in the scripture than, “then cometh Jesus.” Every scene that Jesus ever walked into became something powerful and exceptional. When He came into this world, the angels of heaven sang and declared His birth. When He came to be baptized of John, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God. When He came to...

Ephesians 1:3-7    "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  (4)  According 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:  (5)  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  (6)  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  (7)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" I pray that as we look at these verses, we can find the peace and assurance that the Apostle Paul felt as he wrote these words. My thoughts concerning them will be brief, but I pray it will take each of us into a deeper appreciation of the work of our precious Lord in redeeming us "through His blood." Paul lis...

Matthew 3:5-9    "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."   John the Baptist was described in previous verses as the “voice of one crying in the wilderness.” John did not go into any area begging people to be baptized. He stood where God sent him and preached the truth of the coming kingdom of heaven. This message drew men and women to come seeking baptism. As far as scripture tells us, the act of baptism had not been done before John came. John was of the lineage of th...

Ephesians 1:3    "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Yesterday, we spoke of the blessedness of God. Isn't it wonderful to think upon the greatness and goodness of our Lord. The child's blessing before a meal states it simply, "God is great. God is good." And then to know that out of that greatness and goodness, "Jesus loves me." My heart begins to fill with great joy and gladness when I think of the God of all creation even thinking about me and then knowing that He bestowed His love upon me. Out of His great love and mercy, He has blessed us (He has blessed me) with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Think about that - "All spiritual blessings." The basis for those blessings are listed in the verses that follow and, the Lord willing, we will look a little more closely at them. But for now, I have one thought that ...