IN CHRIST
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Missionary to Turkey Mike Martin is pictured here amidst the ruins of ancient Ephesus (Present-day Selcuk, Turkey). This area is one large museum, perhaps the most spectacular ruins in Turkey. The Apostle Paul walked these streets witnessing for Christ, stopping from time to time to lift his voice and preach the Good News of eternal salvation in Christ. One of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World was here, “The Temple of Diana.” The area pictured above is not open to tourists, but my photographer son, David Reynold, was able to enter to photograph for this blog.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Ephesians 1:17
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.”
Thirteen times in today’s reading we find, “in Christ,” “in Him,” in Himself,” “in Whom,” “in the Lord Jesus,” repeated again and again. It’s plain to see that Paul has an absolutely clear message he fervently desires to communicate! In fact, the phrase “in Christ” or its equivalent appears 35 times throughout this letter to the believers in Ephesus, and the Holy Spirit intended these words for the whole Church in every place and throughout all time. Therefore, we should pay close attention to every word.
What do we have “IN CHRIST?” “Heavenly places,” “He chose us,” “Redemption and forgiveness,” “purpose,” “all things,” “an inheritance,” “the praise of His glory,” “trust,” “the Holy Spirit of promise,” “the guarantee,” “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” and “His mighty power”…and that’s just in the first chapter! This is mind boggling! We need to spend time meditating on these facts. If we are not overwhelmed, we need to check our pulses to make sure we are still alive!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I want to personalize the prayer found in the key verse: Dear God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Your Person. Amen! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have had the privilege of visiting the spectacular ruins of Ephesus several times. I’m so impressed with the evidence of stately public buildings which once served the people. Of course, the houses in which the people lived around the centre and in the suburbs are not to be found. I have just read the story of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus again from the book of Acts. When I have stood in the great Ephesian amphitheatre, I can almost imagine the loud declaration of the crowd inside who were shouting in defence of their goddess, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Paul and his team of witnessing Christians caused a riot (read Acts 18:24-28 and Acts 19:1-41 and check out the picture below for the theatre where the uproar happened).
I didn’t cause a riot back in 1964, but most certainly consternation, when one Sunday evening I refused to preach my Salvation message in the pulpit of the church in Sudbury, Ontario, where I was the new Pastor. I checked the congregation out by upraised hands, and everyone present had the assurance of their eternal salvation. I then asked one of the deacons to take over the service and I proceeded out the door, down the alley for one block, to the sidewalk outside the Mine Mill Union Hall, where a dance was in progress. People were milling around outside the hall. I raised my voice and began to preach on how to have assurance of Heaven. I even noticed the Union President, Weir Reid, open his window across the street in order to listen. He was called “Canada’s last angry socialist” by the Toronto Star. Mr. Reid called me following this and offered, at no cost to the church, the use of their camp facilities for a week each Summer for a Christian camp. This was the initial seed for the Circle Square ranches, which continue to this day. I would not have been surprised if the congregation had convened a business meeting and dismissed their Pastor, me. I’d been there about three weeks. As it happened, I continued to serve there for almost five more years, and I don’t believe we ever had another Sunday evening service where someone in the congregation did not bring out a friend who did not yet know Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Every service found one, two or more at the altar giving their lives to Christ. The congregation, since that time on the street, has planted new congregations and built two new church buildings in order to hold the people and to serve the community.
Forgive me for going on far beyond my goal of 100 words.
Yours for the knowledge of the truth that we are “IN CHRIST,”
David
Ruins of the ancient theatre in Ephesus (Acts 19:28-31).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Terrific commentary and testimony from David.
I agree, Robin. I ‘m feeling very unwell today. Been to hospital EMERGENCY on Sunday & Urgent Care last night. BLood pressure is out of control (very high). I have a sister who needs me in a nursing home – she is very helpless. So thankful for David’s blog. Father I put both of us in Your hands in Jesus Name. Continue to restore you Gavin as a mighty witness of Your power & care. Amen
Dear Doreen, I pray that The Lord will give the Doctors wisdom as to why your blood pressure is so high. He is the great healer and He knows your sister needs your support. I will continue to pray for both of you.
Gavin has been moved out of ICU into the next level, critical care. Yesterday they showed him and he got a terrible rash. Thanks for your prayers amidst your own problems. ❤️
I enjoy today blog and I prayed David’s prayer for wisdom. Blessings to all. Eleanor M.
Watching “It ‘s Supernatural “. Miracles still happen!! In Jesus Name, Father, complete the healing as a witness to all that You are the same yesterday, today, & forever!!
Dear Doreen
Lord God help this precious prayer partner! She needs to have her blood pressure to be normal; she has a sister in a nursing home who needs Doreen; Lord I pray You would heal Doreen completely; give her normal Blood Pressure; remove all the anxiety from her; Lord send the angels to keep Doreen safe and send the healing angels to her sister; Thank You Lord that we can come to You for all our cares and concerns and that You hear us and we thank You for healing all our ailments I Jesus Name I Pray amen
Amen, Sah ????????
Amen to your prayers sah.
Praying for you Doreen… and for your sister as well.
May God give you both his strength and peace and health!
I know the feeling of someone depending on and needing you, and the anxiety of not being able to care for them.
May God surround and bless you both!
Thank you Anne. Pharmacist called my doctor & faxed my Internal Medicine Dr. Trusting God.
Doreen, my heart and prayers are going out to you. You will have to trust that the nursing home can take care of your sister until you are feeling better. I know that is a hard task.
I will add your sister to my prayer list.
God bless.
Dear Doreen, I am praying for you.
Am reading yesterday’s blogs today and all the happenings. Regarding David’s testimony in Sudbury, I roomed with one of the members of that church in Kenya. She did a great work for the Lord as a senior(principal of a small school there) so David’s zeal for the Lord made an impression. Glad you are safe Doreen and I also deal with high blood pressure. Any anxiety causes a stress hormone to kick in automatically so it’s a struggle to keep calm and trust the Lord. Also bought some President’s Choice Hibiscus tea which is good for HBP so they say and also Omega 3 as well as my prescribed pills. Also pray that Gauvin can keep calm as he regains his speech. Probably have to communicate through writing for a while. Then prayer for all these needs is so important. God bless you saints!
Praying for Doreen , Gavin and all on this blog needing help from our precious LORD
This video was made up by Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister, Mr. Stephen Harper. A good friend sent me this concerning Israel and I learned such a lot from it:
https://youtu.be/tXy4NXbuE-k
Praying for Israel and in particular, Jerusalem.
God’s blessings on all dear saints this and every day.
TY Lord for seeing all, knowing all, loving all,hearing all,Lord we pray for complete healing for Doreen; her sister; Ger; Gavin; We come to You Lord and confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed; we are sorry Lord, forgive us; thank You for Your complete forgiveness towards us Your children;
Lord we also pray for Your Divine Intervention in our local and municipal and federal governments; we pray Lord that You would direct the leaders to make good decisions regarding the finances in our governments; we pray Lord that our leaders would look to you and pray and ask for Your guidance and wisdom in making daily decisions; we rebuke the devil in all our families and in all our governments; Lord we pray that You would speak to Canadians and show them how they send people to countries in war and help them set up their own governments and how to govern correctly; how to care for the children,the elderly,the youth , Lord we ask all this in Jesus Name amen
Thanks so much folks for your prayers. Feeling pretty good just now although I have a ways to go. Father, bring young Gaven to the place of healing and bless his family in Jesus Name Amen
Amen to all comments and prayers!!