CHIEF CORNERSTONE
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Ruins of the Celsus Library…one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus. It was built in 117 A.D. as a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia. The grave of Celsus was beneath the ground floor across the entrance and there was a statue of Athena over it, because she was thought to be the goddess of wisdom.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ephesians 2:19-20
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.
Christians take note! Our position in Christ is established! By the end of the second chapter, we have the words “in Christ” (or its equivalent) 19 times. Are we beginning to get the message? We are no longer the walking dead! (verses 1-3). We have been raised up! We “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ” (verse 6). Verse 11 begins with “Therefore” (as the result of the foregoing), which is a turn-around word…(1) We are alive in Christ; (2) We experience the exceeding riches of His grace; (3) We are saved through faith, a gift of God; (4) We are created in Christ Jesus for good works (works do not produce any favour from God, but they follow as a result of His favour); (5) We are citizens of His Kingdom with all the privileges that pertain thereto; (6) We are family–His DNA can be traced within us; and (7) We are a holy temple, God’s habitation!
We are “in Christ” and He is living in us! It is very, very humbling to recognize that, other than opening our hearts to Him, He’s done it all!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will comprehend, as much as I have the capacity to do so, the magnitude of Your blessing on me. Please assist me to recognize that my behaviour does not determine Your blessing, but Your blessing determines who I am. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I am blessed! Blessed! Blessed! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I made my lifetime decision to be a follower of Jesus at 16 years old, but it was not until I was 19 that I fully realized my position “in Christ.” It was then that I studied “The Doctrines of Salvation,” first in a Bible correspondence course and then in Bible College. The book “Lectures in Systematic Theology” by Henry C. Thiessen was a companion to my Bible. This book is for sale on Amazon or can be purchased on Kindle for iPad reading (click here). I find Thiessen’s teachings concise and carefully Biblical. In fact, I would recommend this study as foundational to every other Bible study curriculum.
The words from today’s reading, “Chief Cornerstone,” stood out to me because of much time spent with our First Nations people. Over again and again, I heard them refer to their true Chief, Jesus Christ, as their “Chief Cornerstone.” I have the great honour of being an honourary Chief of the Oneidas. I’m reminded that Jesus is my Chief, now and forever!
Yours for learning who we are as believers in Jesus, our Chief Cornerstone,
David
The Celsus Library facade has two stories with Corinthian style columns on the ground floor and three entrances to the building. There are three window openings in the upper story. They used an optical trick…the columns on the sides of the facade are shorter than those at the center, giving the illusion of the building being greater in size.
So thankful my behaviour doesn’t determine God’s blessings. He loves us regardless.
Dr. Jim Denison posted a great story on his blog this a.m. :
Kodi Lee is a remarkable young man who played the piano on America’s Got Talent. He is autistic and blind.
https://youtu.be/pDPdRYF7hTQ
“The tomb is empty; the throne is not.”
Today is Ascension Day on the Christian calendar, the day we remember Jesus’ return to heaven. Ethicist Russell Moore reminds us that as a result of Jesus’ ascension, our Savior is praying for us right now at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). He is governing the world “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21). He is preparing a place in heaven for us (John 14:2) and will take us home one day (v. 3).
Ascension Day calls us to prayer and to hope. Our King is on the side of life and life eternal. The Creator of all life loves every child from the moment of their creation. He calls us to do the same.
God bless all saints this beautiful day in west central Alberta.
Amen, dear Lynda, amen! Wishing you a blessed day, as well. With the light and love of Jesus surrounding you! Overcast and windy here in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
Thank u sister Beverlee. Always thought u were from Prince Edward Island until seeing the county after it:-). I have a sister in Ontario and she said it’s windy where she is also, near Ottawa. It is so smokey out here in Alberta we can’t see our mountains or nearest neighbors. Supposed to be getting some rain soon so hopefully High Level will be getting that too. Can’t imagine having to leave my home.
Have fun doing the cottage life Beverlee. Love your posts and keep up the good work. God bless.
Bless you LYNDA D. for the tremendous video!!
So welcome dear Irene. Blessings on you and yours always.
Prayed David’s prayer, with a full and thankful heart. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 ESV
This is a little different; hope you enjoy…
He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oKWiJN6PL4
Amen! and Amen; thank you Beverlee
I’m finally caught up with 100 Words.The IP was changed at our rental cottage in PEI (for the Revival In Belfast,PEI conference with Robin Mark) and we did not have the new pass word.The conference was great as usual.
I believe that we are ‘prone to good works’ via the holy Spirit when ‘we see the Father doing good works’ via other more mature Christians.(“I do only what I see My Father do….”)It’s a chain:those who are more mature in Christ are doing His good works and those (us) who are less mature (experienced?) see what is good and His Spirit helps us to aspire to do similar good works.
I have to go shortly to an appreciation dinner in Pugwash.God bless
Agreeing with David’s heart felt prayer!
JESUS LOVES US THIS I KNOW: HE LOVES YOU AND ME; SO THAT WE MAY LIVE ETERNALLY WITH HIM!!! WHAT A GIFT BEYOND UNDERSTANDING!!!