Daily Bread 3-22-17
Ephesians 1:15-23
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what riches the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of is mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
ref. - Col 1:9 - For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Ac 26:18 - To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the powers of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Phil 2:9 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Matt 28:18 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Heb 2:7 - Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Ro 12:5 - So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Jn 1:14,16 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ( and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
What a wonderful scripture to explain the wishes of the leadership of the Church. As Paul addressed the Churches of God in this scripture so does the leadership of the Church of God of The Firstborn address you! Our prayers are with you brothers. Not that you are prospering the ways of the world, but that you flourish in the Spiritual understanding of God's will in Jesus Christ. The sole responsibility of the Church and it's only purpose is lead us to understand the hope and promise of Christ. All else will follow.(Matt 6:33) As our faith begins and we only believe in the actual existence of Christ on this earth and in heaven, we are being prayed for and prayed over in Jesus' name to receive the knowledge and wisdom that God has planned for us. As he has been given all power we have none without his precious name. This is why we are vehemently urged to learn of him, not only in the letter, but to learn of him in the Spirit. There are far more things to learn of Christ in a spiritual realm than there are of repetitious study and memorization of his words. When he is believed in and he knows that we support and love the saints, his Holy Spirit will take us to a deeper understanding, in our inward parts, of God's will and his purpose in our lives. Our salvation, our sanctification, our gifts, and eventually eternal life, have been put all in his hands. So, when we read of Paul's love for the people that diligently follow Christ we must also look no further than The Church Of God Of The Firstborn for that same love. After all, it is the same Church as we read in Hebrews 12:22,23. Let us do our part in believing and supporting the spiritual guidance that we receive as we are allowed to be a part of the body of Christ, the Church. His grace, his mercy, his wisdom, is more than enough and it is all we have to show us who we really are. So, stay faithful in Jesus Christ, love your Brothers, stand behind the leadership of the Church, and know that as you pray for them, they are praying for you too!!! Have a great day!!!