When we commit to doing something, it's easy to loose joy in the commitment. Originally we are excited but now we are just going through the motions. If this is how you feel right now about reading your Bible, that's okay. Just this morning, I found myself reading without really reading. Can you relate? So I prayed that the Lord would help me to focus and really pay attention to the words. Well, I decided to look up Ephesians 1 in a different translation, The Message. (if you click on my title above, it will take you to The Message link) This translation did it for me. It gave me a verse in a whole new way and so today I am going to focus on it all day long. If you are struggling like I am, join me in meditating on this verse today. You may be at work, you may be at home, you may have a day full of errands. Whatever your day has for you, focus on this.
11-12 It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
There is really no reason to focus on anything negative today when you focus on this promise. Print it out, write it out, look at it over and over again! Let your spirit soak it up! If you woke up feeling down, this will change your attitude. Struggling with acceptance? Read this! Struggling with your identity? Read this! Struggling with self esteem? Read this! Struggling with decisions? Read this! Struggling with relationships? Read this!
Father, I pray that you will show each and every person reading Ephesians today to focus on who they are in YOU. Thank you Jesus for your blood. Thank you for saving me! Thank you for accepting me. When the world seems to be against me, you are not. You will always love me! Thank you Jesus for showing me who I am in you. Thank you for showing me so early in life that I needed a Savior! I love you Lord Jesus.
7 comments:
I read. Thanks for that translation and pointing out V11-12. I needed that.
Love you.
Great reading. I have always loved studying Paul's writing. I read it eariler and haven't been able to post a reply. I have lost most of my thoughts to say the least. But good non the less. I will read again before bed.
Thank you for your prayers. v15-18a stand out to me, because I was taught to pray this over friends and family, especially when I did not know the circumstances in their life but yet felt the urge to pray for them. It is some good stuff!
there is no greater prayer that we could have for each other than...
17 "But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, "
I am praying for some big-time revelation for myself as well as others close to me.
I personalized this portion this morning as I prayed it "...that you may make ME intelligent,and discerning in knowing YOU personally, 18 MY eyes focused and clear, so that I can see exactly what it is YOU are calling me to do"
...praying God's word...powerful stuff....
V.
Awesome!!
Before I read your post I often go to the Scripture link and today I was wondering why you chose "The Message".
Well, what can I say?? What a blessing it was!!!
And after reading your post everything just fit together beautifully.
Today I was struggling with a decision I had to make (the whole Bible college thing - was wondering what major God wants me to study).
"to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers "
That did it.
Thank you.
Praise God:)
And I'll keep you posted.
I have to say this time and again, you're a blessing!
I read! Thank you for the heads up on The Message paraphrase. It really helped me!
V15 Therefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints...
He went on to pray without ceasing. So it is for me and you my blogging friends. The more I read your blogs and see your faith it draws me to you. I am called to pray for things as they arise. I may never meet any of you this side of heaven; although I pray I do. Yet each of you touch me. Thank you for the journey. I am praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
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