Category Archives: God’s Will

Bible, Eternity, God's Will, Purpose, Scripture

AN ETERNAL PURPOSE

EPHESIANS 3:11

“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

We should always have a reason for the things we do. Even leisure time has a purpose – to rest your body and refresh your spirit. Unfortunately, many of us do things out of rote habit. We haven’t stopped to think why we do the things we do. For instance, why are you taking the time to read this blog? Hopefully, you have found something worthwhile in what I have written in the past, so you “tune in” each day to see what’s next.

The Greek word used for “purpose” is prothesis, which comes from the verb protithemi. These words refer to a setting forth of something in advance for a specific reason. One use of this word is in Hebrews 9:2. “For a tabernacle was equipped, the outer sanctuary, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place.” The word “sacred” is prothesis. It refers to the presentation of the bread in the temple. Let’s dig into this a little.

APPLICATION

When Jesus and the disciples were walking through a grain field one Sabbath, they were plucking the grain and eating it. When the Pharisees saw them doing this (they were always watching), they confronted Jesus about gleaning on the Sabbath. Jesus referred them to the story about David and his men who ate the consecrated bread when they were fleeing Saul. The word “consecrated” is the word prothesis.

One verse I am sure you know is Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” God does not do anything by chance. Behind everything He does is a purpose, a divine purpose, an eternal purpose. He is still at work today carrying out His purposes.

Take a look at your calendar today. What do you have scheduled? Is there a reason you are doing that? Does it have a divine purpose? Let me encourage you to get rid of those things that have no eternal purpose. None of that will last. Concentrate on the things that have an eternal significance and that pleases our Master.

Father, give me wisdom to know how to choose the eternal over the temporal.

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Bible, Darkness, Distractions, Enlighten, Expose, God's Will, Light, Scripture

ENLIGHTENMENT

EPHESIANS 3:9

“and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things;”

The Encyclopdia Britannica (remember that?) defines the period of Enlightenment this way. “Historians place the Enlightenment in Europe (with a strong emphasis on France) during the late 17th and the 18th centuries, or, more comprehensively, between the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and the French Revolution of 1789. It represents a phase in the intellectual history of Europe and also programs of reform, inspired by a belief in the possibility of a better world, that outlined specific targets for criticism and programs of action.” Confused? Don’t worry. Many of those who tried to inact and understand this period were also.

Paul tells us in today’s verse what true enlightenment is. The word “enlighten” is the Greek word phótizó. It literally means to bring to light, to illumine. Paul is saying he had the privilege to shed light on the hidden secrets of God. He had been shown these things in order to share them with others, to open their eyes to “the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God.” Now, Jew and Gentile alike are privy to God’s grace when they come to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

APPLICATION

My wife and I have several landscape lights in our yard. They are solar powered and come on when it gets dark. We have some other solar powered lights in our backyard that are also motion sensored. They stay on a dim mode until something passes in front and then “Whamo!” they light up the night. When we first moved in our house, we didn’t know what was happening. Our bedroom window faces the backyard, so when something triggered those lights, we woke up thinking someone had turned on our bedroom light. (we have taken down a couple of those lights now, lol).

Why did I share that little story about our backyard lights? Those lights come on when something unexpected is in our vicinity. It exposes it and often causes it to run away. God shines the light of His Word on things in our lives in order to expose them and to help us recognize them. 1 Corinthians 4:5 tell us, “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.”

Do you have anything in your life that needs to be enlightened? If the Lord exposed all your inner thoughts, would you be embarrassed? God does shine on every part of us through His Holy Spirit Who lives within us. Let His light illumine only Jesus.

Father, shine Your light on me and illumine my pathway.

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Access, Appearance, Bible, God's Will, Messages, Mind, Mystery, Presence, Promises, Revelation, Scripture

REVELATION BY THE SPIRIT

EPHESIANS 3:5

“which in other generations was not made known to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;”

Revelations are pretty cool. What do I mean by that? I am not trying to be mystical or anything. Think about your everyday life. Sometimes things just “come” to you, as if the thought just popped out of nowhere. These revelations can be explained in a lot of ways – a subconscious thought, a memory, etc. But there were and still are some revelations that can only be explained by the Spirit.

Paul tells the Ephesians that this revelation he has received concerning the mystery of grace came from God through the Holy Spirit. This revelation, this apokaluptó, shows how this happened. The word means to take the cover off to reveal what has been hidden. The Holy Spirit has uncovered the secrets of grace to Paul and the other apostles and prophets. They have been given the privilege of understanding in order to teach it. It wasn’t their secret to keep. It was meant to be shared.

APPLICATION

What has God revealed to you? Jesus told us in Matthew 10:26, “‘So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.’” He wants to reveal Himself to you fully. He wants you to know as much as you can handle about this wonderful thing called grace. He wants to use you to spread this revelation to others.

This “revealing” by the Spirit is not a one-time thing. God continues to reveal things to you at the right time. Look what Philippians 3:15 says. “Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well;” He checks your attitude. Now, who doesn’t need that?

I have said it multiple times in my blogs. God does not want to play hide-and-seek with you. He wants you to find Him. He is not hiding. He is standing right out in the open. Just look. Open your eyes and ask Him to show you what you need. He promises to come alongside us and walk with us. You can’t get much more revealing than that.

O Lord, You are a revealing God. Thank You for showing us Yourself in Your Son, Jesus

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Access, Bible, God's Will, Knowledge, Mystery, Scripture

A MYSTERY

EPHESIANS 3:3

“that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before briefly.”

I love to watch mysteries of television with my wife. Trying to figure out “who did it” is interesting. I love to tell my wife when I think I have figured it out. She hates that. She claims it spoils the ending. What do you think? She is probably right. She usually is. I don’t particularly like mysteries in real life, though. I am a planner. I want to know what is coming.

God was not playing with Paul. When Paul says, “made known to me the mystery,” he wasn’t implying that God was trying to keep him in the dark. Just the opposite. Remember when Paul was struck blind on the Damascus road? His “blinders” fell off when Ananias laid hands on him and prayed. When Paul came to Christ, his eyes were finally opened. God continued to reveal Himself to Paul, opening the Scriptures to show how Jesus was the long awaited Messiah.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 13:10-11, we see the word “mystery(ies) used again. This time Jesus is using it to explain something to the disciples. “10 And the disciples came up and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ 11 And Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.’” In other words, Jesus told them He would reveal the mysteries to them.

God is not trying to confuse us or make us guess. He promises to reveal the secrets of His kingdom when we come to Him. Once we come to Him and are part of His family, He can show us everything we have in Him. This word is used four other times in Ephesians. In fact, of the 28 times it is used in the New Testament, Paul uses it 21 times. He obviously appreciated the revelations he had received from the Lord into the deeper truths of the Gospel.

I love how Paul uses this word “mystery” in Colossians 2:1-3. “1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” So, open wide your heart and mind and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the hidden secrets of God.

Show me, Lord, what You would have me to know today

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Bible, God's Will, Grace, Peace, Prison, Rest, Scripture

GIVEN FOR A REASON

EPHESIANS 3:2

“if indeed you have heard of the administration of God’s grace which was given to me for you;”

I have received some gifts that made me wonder. For instance, the other day, my wife and I received a package in the mail. It was addressed to us, and when we opened it, we found a card inside. That card had someone else’s name on it. It was a nice wooden chopping block from a reality company. Of course, I called to let them know we had received someone’s gift. And to our delight we found out that we were indeed supposed to receive that gift from our realtor. Someone who was helping package them had accidentally put the wrong card in our package. Glad we got that straightened out.

Paul was in prison, and in today’s verse he tells them why. The Ephesians had received God’s grace through Paul. Paul says, “God’s grace which was given to me for you.” He was simply the conduit, the pipeline, God chose to use. He could have used anything to bring His grace to them, but He chose Paul. Paul gladly suffered as a prisoner so that they could be set free through God’s grace.

APPLICATION

What are your reasons for sharing God’s grace? Do you share it? We are supposed to share it to whomever God allows us to cross paths with. God will use us, just like He did with Paul, if we will let Him. Maybe you can share some grace with your neighbor who doesn’t mow his grass as often as you wish. Do you really think Jesus would be concerned about that? I don’t think so.

I am reading a book written by a friend of mine entitled, ‘Here We Go Again.” (Author is Mark D. West). He makes a statement in it that I really like. Instead of asking the old cliché question – What Would Jesus Do (WWJD), ask WDJD – What Did Jesus Do. He said in Matthew 11:28, “28 ‘Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.’”

Give grace to others. Point them to the Grace Giver. Only He can deliver perfect peace. Only He can give perfect rest. One of our jobs as believers is to pull as many as we can to the Father so they too can receive that grace that the Ephesians received through Paul. His grace is still sufficient.

Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

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Abiding, Building, Church, Dwelling, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Home, Indwelling, Kingdom, Scripture

GOD’S DWELLING PLACE

EPHESIANS 2:22

“in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

My wife and I recently bought a new bed for our guest room. It is nothing fancy, just a metal headboard and footboard with side rails and middle support braces. When I finally got around to putting it together, I opened the box, laid out all the pieces and checked them off against the parts list (how many times have you come up short a piece without doing this?). Then I brought all the pieces inside, laid them on the bedroom floor and began the tedious process of trying to figure out from the drawing what part went where. In the end, I achieved my goal. We now have a bed someone can rest on when they visit.

Why do I use that illustration? Because the phrase “being built together” is exactly that. God has taken all the “pieces” and put them together to make His “bed,” His dwelling place. Once again, this Greek word has the preposition sun which is that permanent “with.” We are being built up together with other believers into a place where God says He will dwell here on this earth until one day we will dwell with Him in His kingdom in heaven.

APPLICATION

I love what Ellicott’s Commentary says here. “This verse seems primarily intended simply to emphasize the truth already enunciated in Ephesians 2:20, that the Ephesians themselves are now being made part of the Church of Christ, ‘being built up together in Christ.’ But it may also illustrate to us the character of the unity of the Church, as, primarily, a direct individual unity with Christ—each stone being itself a complete and living stone—and, secondarily and indirectly, a unity with others and with the whole.”

Did you get that? We are individually the dwelling of God through His Holy Spirit, and we are part of the corporate dwelling of God as part of His church. Ain’t God good? Two houses in one. Only God can do that. And God’s house has no flaws. There are no plumbing leaks or cracks in the foundation. His building warranty is eternal.

Okay, enough building metaphors. Simply put – we are God’s dwelling here on earth. He chooses to live in and through us. What an honor! Are you keeping His dwelling presentable? Can others see Him in you? As the cliché goes, “You may be the only Jesus some people ever see.”

Live in me, Lord. Shine Your eternal light through my eyes so that others are drawn into Your dwelling.

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Bible, Correction, God's Will, Kingdom, Perfection, Purpose, Scripture, Temple

A PERFECT FIT

EPHESIANS 2:21

“in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,”

As a boy I can remember my dad working to make something fit just right. He would measure carefully (measure twice cut once rule), try the fit, and if it didn’t feel just right to him, he would pull it back apart and file or sand some more. He wanted whatever he was working on to fit right and function properly for years to come. I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a perfectionist, but he was pretty close.

Did you know God is a perfectionist? Of course, you did. God is perfect. He is flawless. So why should it surprise us that anything He does is also perfect. Today’s verse uses a Greek word that is only use twice in the New Testament. In fact, both times it is used in Ephesians (today’s verse and 4:16). HELPS Word studies gives a great definition of the phrase “being fitted together.” It defines synarmologéō as “(hinged together), occurs twice in the NT (Eph 2:21, 4:16) – both times of God ‘fitly framing believers (OT, NT) into a harmonious, synergistic whole.’ That is, each individual being functioning as a part of the one people of God.”

APPLICATION

In yesterday’s blog we looked at the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and how He fitted the two walls (Gentiles and Jews) together. Synarmologéō just goes on to complete that picture. The first part of that word is the preposition sun which is the Greek word that implies an inseparable togetherness. This “fitting together” is permanent. And the purpose of this “fitting together” is to build a permanent holy temple. This temple is not an earthly temple. No! It is a heavenly temple for all believers.

Look at what Paul said in the letter to the Galatians. 3:26-29 says, “26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

Listen, beloved, we are all “fitted together” to serve the Lord. The reason God brought us to Himself was to be a part of the big picture. You are important in the kingdom. He needs you to do your part, to play your role. It’s not about works. It’s about service. Will you “fit together” today? Allow God to use His tools of grace on you to make you fit perfectly.

Thank You, Lord, for all the filing and chiseling You do on me to make me more like You.

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Access, Bible, Door, God's Will, Heaven, Introduction, Promises, Scripture

OPEN DOOR

EPHESIANS 2:18

“for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”

I grew up in Southwest Georgia, in a little town called Pelham. I was born in 1960 (you can do the math to see how old I am, lol) when you could sleep with your door unlocked. You could ride your bike all over town with your friends without an armed guard riding shotgun. Even our dogs ran loose and free. It was a different time. Open doors were a common thing.

But in today’s verse, Paul tells us that even today we can walk right into an open door. He uses a word for “access” that shows us exactly what this means. HELPS Word studies defines prosagōgḗ as to “come towards (near); have access (approach), with intimate (face-to-face) interaction (note the prefix pros). All three occasions of 4318 /prosagōgḗ (interactive access) refer to ‘having audience (direct access) with God.’” Now, that’s an invitation to come in, isn’t it?

APPLICATION

The word prosagōgḗ is only used three times in the New Testament. It is used here and later in Ephesians 3:12. We will look at that verse in a few weeks (just keep coming back to my blogsite to catch that). The other time it is used is in Romans 5:2. To get the context we need to back up to verse 1. “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.” 

This word, prosagōge, not only means “access,” it also means “introduction.” And in this case, introduction and access to God. Hallelujah! Do you know what that means? We can approach the throne boldly, not because of anything we have done but because of Jesus. Like it said in Romans 5:1, it is “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen? Amen!

I don’t know about you, but as my ole friend Bill Stafford used to say, “That’s shouting ground.” That ought to excite you. That ought to thrill your soul. Because of Jesus, we can just walk right into glory. No ticket is required. We don’t have to push a wheelbarrow full of treasures through the pearly gates. We simply walk in because we are covered in the blood of the Lamb. Praise God!

O God, words cannot express my gratitude for the open door to Glory!

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Abiding, Access, Bible, Blood, Eternity, God's Will, Hugs, Near, Scripture, Snuggles

BROUGHT NEAR BY THE BLOOD

EPHESIANS 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Okay, I admit it. I’m a snuggler. I like to snuggle. I like close contact. I would go to sleep every night snuggling my wife, but she says I am like an oven. I think she just thinks I’m hot. Lol. But seriously, I like to be close to people. I had much rather be in a room with ten close friends than in a concert with thousands. It’s just the way I am wired.

Did you know God likes to snuggle? It’s true. Look at today’s verse. Paul says we “have been brought near.” God saw that we “were far away” and sent His Son to bring us near. God wanted and still wants to be close to us. I love how Albert Barnes explains this verse. “The Jews came near to the mercy seat on which the symbol of the divine presence rested by the blood that was offered in sacrifice; that is, the high priest approached that mercy-seat with blood and sprinkled it before God. Now we are permitted to approach him with the blood of the atonement. The shedding of that blood has prepared the way by which Gentiles as well as Jews may approach God, and it is by that offering that we are led to seek God.”

APPLICATION

Wow! Isn’t that great? Through the shed blood of Christ, we can approach the mercy seat of God. His blood prepared the path. It was nothing we did. It was all Him. James says this in James 4:8. “Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The verb used for “come close” is from the same Greek word used in today’s verse for “near.”

Isn’t it sad that so many won’t do that? They won’t come close. They prefer to stay far away. They think they don’t need that kind of intimacy with God. But they shouldn’t tarry. Jesus said so in Luke 21:29-31. “29 And He told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees: 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening,  recognize that the kingdom of God is near.’”

Jesus said it, so that settles it. The kingdom is drawing near. Jesus could return in our lifetime. Or He come next century. We don’t know, but we must be ready. If you are living far away today, draw near to Him. He will wrap you in His loving embrace and snuggle you. I promise. I have felt it. It is so comforting. Draw near today!

Father, I welcome Your embrace and snuggles.

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Bible, Death, Forgiveness, God's Will, Life, Scripture

DEATH TO LIFE

EPHESIANS 2:5

“even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” 

Some of you who read my blog know my health history. I’ve been through two (count them – two) stem cell transplants. To describe these succinctly, they basically bring you to the point of death and bring you back. All your bone marrow is destroyed, and you are isolated for a number of days. You have no strength, no energy and not much will to live. It’s hard. But if it’s successful (and both of mine were), you get a new lease on life. You are “reborn” with new bone marrow.

Paul describes our new birth in Christ similarly. He says we were already “dead in our wrongdoings.” The Greek word for “wrongdoings” is paraptoma, which means an error or transgression that was unintentional or willful, sins of omission or commission. The good news is we are made “alive together with Christ.” Now, I really like this Greek word for “alive together.” It is suzóopoieó. It literally means to reanimate, to make alive together with someone else. It’s like our DNA was joined together with Christ spiritually. It’s His life in us that makes alive.

APPLICATION

The only other place that suzóopoieó appears is Colossians 2:13. “And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings,” (The Greek for “wrongdoings” here is the same as in Ephesians 2:5). This verse in Colossians is almost the same as our verse today. You can see that all through these two books. Many of their verses mirror each other.

But what does this mean to us as followers of Christ? It means we have a new lease on life spiritually. Getting saved, coming to Christ, accepting Jesus, however you put that into words, does not change you physically. You are still the same person outwardly. But spiritually, you have been reborn. You have been rebooted. You are a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 is a familiar verse, which has a similar message. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” So, we need to live like that. We are new. We aren’t old. We haven’t been discarded on the garbage heap of life. Christ has come into us and given us new life. Now, live like it.

Praise You, O Father, for giving me new life in Christ.

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