Live for the glory of God
Why do we need to engage in spiritual warfare when Jesus already won the victory? It would almost seem that the idea of spiritual warfare diminishes Christ’s victory on the cross… until we understand that Satan still thinks that he can come out on top. He has deluded himself into thinking that he will eventually […]
We are in a war for our lives. It is very easy to talk about spiritual warfare as if it is something abstract or something happening “out there”, but not to us. But make no mistake, Satan has an agenda, and that agenda includes you. It includes your home, your family, your children; and he […]
Submission. Now, there’s a word that incites immediate debate. I think it is normal that unbelievers find the idea of submission distasteful, because it is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that makes biblical submission possible. But what I find unfortunate is that within the church we find an eagerness to reject […]
There are few topics in the Bible debated as much as the topic of submission. The idea that wives should submit to their husband is incredibly controversial and is eagerly fought against in this feminist culture. While I understand the basis for some of the argument, I believe that much of it is based in […]
Why does Paul speak out so harshly against sin? Doesn’t this just perpetuate the idea that Christianity is just a list of dos and don’ts, doom and gloom, and rigid, religious superiority? If you look at the big picture of the book of Ephesians you first see that Paul lays the foundation by reminding us […]
It is obvious from Ephesians 4 that God considers Christian behavior very important. He didn’t save us so we could continue living by our worldly behavior. He didn’t save us so we could continue living in bondage to our old life. When we became saved, we received a new identity, and God wants us our […]
While in Bible college, I sat in on a class debate on Christian behavior and whether or not we should expect specific a certain level of perfection from believers. I admit, I was a bit stunned by some of the arguments that it should be expected that Christians sin from time to time. While I […]
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You are what you think all day long”. And I think Scripture would agree with him. The mind is the biggest battlefield; because it reflects what is going on in our heart already. If the enemy is speaking negativity, lies, and pessimism to our heart, it will be reflected in our […]
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we enter into a covenant relationship with God and the body of Christ. The thing about a covenant is this: Covenants require two parties and a covenant assumes that both parties will assume and carry out the responsibilities that make that covenant valid. If one party ceases to […]
In Ephesians 3 Paul revealed the mystery that God had hidden for all of history up to that point, and had chosen to reveal through him, in order that the gospel could reach around the globe to all mankind. God was doing something new, something unheard of in all of human history. He was reaching […]
Do you know who you are? Do you comprehend, even a little, how much God loves you and the tremendous power He wants to give you? Do you understand that this power is already available to you as your birthright? As a citizen of heaven, you have all rights and privileges to this power, but […]
I love a good mystery. I have a good collection of Alfred Hitchcock and Poriot movies, because love a good Whodunit; its like putting puzzles together. I search for clues, trying to find the missing pieces, and when that final piece fits in place, there is a great sense of satisfaction. Perhaps that is why […]
In many churches all over the world on any given Sunday we will inevitably hear the pastor invite people to “make a decision to follow Christ” or “invite Jesus into their hearts.” Ephesians 2 blows major holes in this idea that our salvation has something to do with our own autonomy or our independent choice […]
Knowing your identity in Christ first requires knowing your position in Him. Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you know where you are in Christ? Do you know the supernatural acts that occurred upon your salvation? The answer to these questions is very telling and determine how you live your Christian life, how […]
If every Christian truly understood their identity and position in Christ, Christianity would be a force to be reckoned with in the world. It would change the way we preach, the way we worship, and the way we relate to one another as the collective body of Christ. Ephesians is a call for spiritual maturity. […]
Have you ever considered doing a study of all of the prayers in the Bible? This is a study I’d like to do some time, because I believe it helps us to understand ways to deepen and enrich our own prayer lives. Paul ends chapter one with a prayer that is so powerful, one could […]
The book of Ephesians is one of my most favorite books of the Bible. If someone had asked me a month ago what the general theme of Ephesians is, I would have easily said that it had to do with our identity in Christ. And this is true in a general sense. But there is […]
I can’t wait to start Ephesians study with you!! For the next 8 weeks, we are going to dive into this book of the Bible that is considered to be one of the most important books of the Bible. By the time we’re done, you’ll know why. But not only that, you’ll understand who you […]
Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you still struggle with old habits, old defaults, old attitudes, and old ways of thinking? Are you living a life of victory, or defeat? As I began to delve into the book of Ephesians, I quickly realized that this letter that Paul wrote to the church […]
I haven’t been around much lately, I know. I have been working very hard behind the scenes getting a new study prepared for you, that I am excited about! I can’t wait to reveal what is in store! Here’s the thing: I had intended on revealing the Ephesians study today so we could get started […]
