Week of November 4, 2007, Ephesians 1:13-23

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Ephesians, chapter 1, verses 13 to 23. In this portion, Paul talks about our hope and our inheritance, reminding us to pray for others, and the calling that God has on our lives:
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
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.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Jesus, thanks for the plan of salvation, which we are reminded of in the word of truth, the gospel. Thanks for our inheritance – the promised Holy Spirit working in us, guaranteeing our inheritance, that is experiencing Your kingdom and seeing You face to face.

Jesus, we ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know You better. We ask that our eyes of our hearts be opened to remind us of the hope that You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance. And we ask that we would know the incomparably great power for us who believe – the power like the working of Your mighty strength, that You used, Heavenly Father, in raising Jesus from the dead, and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly realms.

And Father God, may we understand that we are a part of the Body of Christ, Your Body, Jesus, Your fullness who fills us in every way according to our needs and Your glory. Thanks, Jesus, for Your presence with us, Your power in us, Your Spirit filling us, Your peace and love which surrounds us. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If you have a question, a comment or a prayer request, you can e-mail me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May God our Hope and Strength be with us now and always.