ONE MESSAGE. ONE FAITH.

We have come to the end of our Ephesians study and I am rarin' to get started back on  our "Bible in a year" Daily bible Reading! I was trying to think of the best time to start, but there really is no better time than - NOW! I am going to post a new schedule (check out the calendar at the bottom of this page) starting for the beginning of next month.  August 1st we will start again.  Until then, keep reading, keep praying, keep reaching up to God,  and keep seeking. God bless you all. - Chantel P.S.In the meantime, check out my alternate blog at www.sheandthewillowtree.blogspot.com , for heartwarming everyday happenings beyond the PC. Blessings!

" Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify it and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" - Ephesians 5:25b-27  Several things  caught my eye here: 1. Christ sacrificed  himself for the church ( while we were yet sinners); that is a lot of faith! 2. Christ gave himself for us, yet that was not the end. His dying for us does not guarantee our salvation; his dying makes it possible to receive it. We still have to respond to the gift by taking what grace is offering to us.      - WE must be sanctified . That is, we must be separated from the world. This is repentance. To repent means   to turn away . When one repents, he is turning from his old self, and everything that sustains that old self. For if any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old thi...

Is getting your point across the motive? Is being "right" the ultimate satisfaction? Is feeling superior the pursuit? These are questions we must ask ourselves when we are faced with the opportunity to share the light of the Word with others. I have had the privilege of being served in a high end hotel. I felt like a princess. doors were opened for me left and right, my bags were carried before I had a chance to grab them. I was called Mrs.- all of this without reservation. It was not superficial.  On the other had I have received service where it felt like I was inconveniencing the staff. Or they just wanted to perform the task to get it over with.

Ephesians 4:1-6  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you[a] all.- Ephesians 4:1-6 ( NKJV ) V.1- Walk worthy of the calling; What is the calling?

I love when I come across these prayers, that the apostle's prayed for the saints. I think it is fitting, since we, the church of God,  are built upon the foundation of the "prophets, and apostles- Jesus being the chief cornerstone" as mentioned in Ephesians 2:20. Their prayers, as well as  their teachings, are worth repeating.  So this is my prayer for us all this day: Ephesians 3:16-21 [I pray ] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that wor...

Ephesians 3:14-15 (King James Version) 14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:14-15 (New King James Version) "Appreciation of the Mystery" 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[a] 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:14-15 (New International Version) "A Prayer for the Ephesians" 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. My Notes: Father- one  who originates or institutes            -source           -protector and provider ; from the Greek word pater  *So, the whole family is named after the Father ( we are joint heirs [Rom. 8:17], adopted, grafted in[Rom. 11:17])

Ephesians 3 (New International Version) Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles 1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,  3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.  4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,  5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.  6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.  8Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles ...