2006 - Blessings: Ephesians 1:1 • Part 2

Blessings! Ensured • Executed • Experienced • Expressed

Ephesians 1:1 AMP

Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice],

“An Apostle” 

When we looked at “Paul”, we said that Paul was picked for a specific purpose. What is an “apostle”? A person personally sent with full authority to represent the sender. 

When we place our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord, does God have a specific purpose for us? Yes! We are given an identity - 

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1a (nkjv)

We are also known by the term, “Christians”. This identity was first given to the disciples in Acts 11:26. What does that word mean? “Christian” indicates an identity derived from allegiance to Jesus the Messiah (Christos). 

So, we have a relationship with God and that gives each of us a responsibility to live a life that demonstrates our allegiance to God. Our first purpose is to represent God to those around us. We are to be the light to let others know about God and His love for us.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (nkjv)

How do we let our light shine? God tells us throughout Scripture.  

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8 (nkjv)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (nkjv)

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 (nkjv)

The first Blessing: we are chosen by God — but it goes beyond that! God chose us for a specific purpose! 

The Blessing Ensured is that God has chosen us and given us full authority to represent Him! The ultimate blessing comes with responsibly. 

2006 - Blessings: Ephesians 1:1

2026 Theme — "Blessings! Ensured • Executed • Experienced • Expressed". Join me as I study God's Word to learn more about Blessings! 

The study starts in Ephesians. 

Ephesians 1:1 AMP

Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice],

Who is Paul, the writer of Ephesians? 

Acts 9 gives us Paul’s background.

Looking at Acts 9:15, 16 (nkjv) we read: But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he (Saul/Paul) is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Chosen - that word conveys both “out from and to” - meaning that Paul was not just picked and that was the end of it. Rather he was picked for a specific purpose. God’s plan is for sinners to leave sin and then follow God. 

Vessel - instrument to carry out a purpose. 

of Mine - personal relationship. 

We also need to note that in accomplishing God’s will, that Paul will endure suffering, but again that has a purpose — for God’s “name (character; a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs) sake”. 

What can we learn from the simple word, “Paul”?

First and foremost, that God knows all about us from the very beginning (Psalm 139, especially verse 13). God knew of all Paul’s sin. Paul (Saul) had killed people! But God, had a greater plan for Paul. He took Paul, a sinful man, and changed his heart to carry out God’s specific plan. 

Too often we, use our past to disqualify us for what God wants us to do. But if we trust God and give Him our lives, our past is forgiven and we can be used of God to do great things.

We also learn from “Paul” that God has a plan for us. We might not always understand the journey or what things happen as they do, but God wants to use to bring glory and honor to Him. 

Paul. Chosen by God to carry (transport) His name to people throughout the world. 

The first Blessing: we are chosen by God! 

Blessing Ensured - the promise of this blessing was mentioned in Isaiah 9:6! Then in Luke 2 with Christ’s birth the promise was continues. John 3:16 declares this promise to each of us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (nkjv) 

The Blessing Ensured

is that God has chosen us!

That is the ultimate blessing! 

2026 Theme - Blessings! Ensured • Executed • Experienced • Expressed

 

Serve with Joy and Gladness

 

2024 Theme: Joy

 

God Almighty! Psalm 95:1-3

 

God Almighty! Psalm 91:2

 

God Almighty! Psalm 62:8

 

God Almighty! Psalm 59:16

 

God Almighty! Psalm 46:1

 

God Almighty! Psalm 32:7

 

God Almighty! Psalm 18:2

 

God Almighty! Psalm 16:8, 9, 11

 

God Almighty! Psalm 16:1, 2

 

God Almighty! Psalm 91:1

 

Joshua 22: 5

But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Joshua 22:5

Love the Lord your God:

Love: beloved like, friend, show your love

To walk in all His ways:

Walk: all along, behave self, on continually, be conversant

Ways: a course of life or mode of action, journey, manner, wisdom and moral

To keep His commandments:

Keep: guard; to protect, attend to, watch, preserve

Commandments: code of law, ordinance, precept

To hold fast to Him:

Hold fast: cling, cleave to, with idea of physical proximity retained, follow close hard after, be joined together

To serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul:

To serve: keep in bondage, work

Heart: inner man, indefinite the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

Soul: living being, self, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

LOVE - that is action - show your love to the Lord your God.

WALK/WAYS - that is action - have the mindset and wisdom to behave continually

KEEP/COMMANDMENTS - that is action - preserve attend to the code of law. (In order to this, you must KNOW the commandments!)

HOLD FAST - that is action - CLING HOLD ON TIGHT!

SERVE - that is action - work!

Notice the order - it all begins with Loving God! When your focus in on loving God then the walking, keeping, holding fast, and serving is a natural outcome!

-Rhonda's study of Joshua 22:5

20 years. Happy Blessings Celebration Day!

20 years
240 months
1,043 weeks
7,305 days
175,320 hours
10,519,200 minutes
631,152,000 seconds

20 things I’ve learned over the past 20 years. 

1. God makes no mistakes.
2. When I don’t know the why, I trust the WHO (God). 
3. When God does reveal His plan, hindsight is so awesome. 
4. God is very creative in supplying each need.
5. Look for God’s blessings, and you’ll find many! 
6. When you think God has forgotten you, He is really working behind the scenes preparing the next blessing! 
7. When people tell you it’s “your fault”, remember that they don’t know your heart or God’s plan. 
8. Pray for God’s will, rather than just want you think should happen. For when you change the focus of your prayer, you realize that God does know what He’s doing - and His plan is greater than what you can imagine. 
9. Our bodies are wonderfully made by God. Often one doesn’t realize how intricate the body is, until something doesn’t work as well. 
10. There are basically two types of Doctors. 1) All patients will fit into their pre-described molds. 2) Each patient is different and thinking outside the box is most beneficial for some. 
11. Don’t blame friends for not hanging around. Often when they can’t “fix” the problem, they move on. It’s ok. 
12. When God does bring friends into your life who are “God- sent” treat them as the awesome blessings they are! 
13. There is a balance between telling everyone all your aches and pains, and hiding it from everyone. 
14. Pain is NOT who you are. Rather, it’s apart of your life, and yes, it often dictates what you can and cannot do. 
15. When people share the newest and latest “fix” or remedy, Listen! You might just find something worth trying. The rest, well, just remember they want you to feel better. 
16. In spite of what all the TV ads say, medications do not provide an instant relief. 
17. The type of music, especially the words can and do impact your emotions and mental stability. Be careful what you listen to. 
18. It’s ok to cancel and say, “No,” without giving a specific reason. Sometimes you know if you can or can’t do something or be with people. 
19. Each day you have a limited number of “spoons”, be wise on how you use them. (Learn more about “spoons” here: https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/)
20. Take time to look back and remember all the blessings God has given you. If you want to look forward, remember that God has blessings waiting, so don’t try to figure it all out or get ahead of yourself . . . or God! 

October 25, 2000 - a day my life changed and I started to learn how to trust God in ways I could never imagine. 

20 years.

Happy Blessings Celebration Day! 

Psalm - Psalm 15

Psalm 15:2He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.

Walks: behave

Uprightly: sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity

Works: to do or make systematically and habitually

Righteousness: ethically right

Speaks: be spokesman, declare

Truth: faithful, right, sure, true, verity

Heart: he man himself—meaning characteristic

“Walk straight, act right, tell the truth." Psalm 15:2 (MSG)

Behave. Create a habit of being ethically right. Be a spokesman for truth. 

Actions. Attitude. Words. Are they in accordance with God and His Word? Simple question. Think about your response before you answer. Remember it's in accordance to God's standard, not what you think or feel. 

“Walk straight, act right, tell the truth." 

Psalm - Psalm 14

Psalm 14:1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

Corrupt: ruin, morally

Abominable: to loathe, ethically, detest

Works: in the sense of effecting; an exploit,  an opportunity -- act(-ion)

None: to be nothing or not exist

Does: accomplish

Good: moral good, good deed (graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness)

A wicked and foolish man truly believes there is no God. They are vile, their sinfulness nauseating to their Creator; their actions are soiled and repulsive; every deed is depraved; not one of them does good. Psalm 14:1 (VOICE)

I've been reading and re-reading this Psalm, especially verse one, for several days. As I read it, I couldn't help but think of the state of our Nation today. The riots, the lawlessness, the lack of a common moral compass - it's unfathomable to believe the simple lack of respect for one another in just the last few months. 

But I also couldn't help but think of how some Christians are acting as well. Some of their attitudes and actions are such that it leads one to think that they too say there is "no God". 

God is the standard by which we must base right and wrong. Just look at the 10 commandments. Simple straightforward rules/laws which prevent chaos and abominable works. 

There is no God. The truth is there is. And one day we each will stand before Him - either as Savior or Judge. 

Psalm - Psalm 13

Psalm 13:5But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 

But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5

But I trust in Your faithful love; my heart leaps at the thought of imminent deliverance by You. Psalm 13:5 (VOICE)

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation; which God is the contriver, author, and giver of, and in which the glory of his perfections is so greatly displayed: and a true believer rejoices more on account that God is glorified by it than because of his own interest in it; and this joy is an inward one, it is joy in the heart, and is real and unfeigned, and is what continues, and will be felt and expressed both here and hereafter. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

What makes my heart leap? What raises my spirits? The truth is that nothing on earth can make my heart leap—for pure joy. Oh, there are things that make me smile, and happy, but true joy comes only from God. True joy provides a constant that allows my heart to leap no matter the situation or circumstance. 

When I realize that God’s faithful love is ever-present and available to me, no matter the circumstance, or situation! God’s love is the constant that should make my heart leap! 

Think of that for a moment. God, the Creator of all, the Amazing Almighty God loves us. Can you grasp that fact? God loves me! God loves you! 

Stop and reflect on God’s amazing constant, unconditional love and then your heart will leap and your spirits will soar! 

Psalm 13 - God’s amazing constant, unconditional love