Take It All In

Meditate.

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God's holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:1-8 

Take it all in. The love. The wisdom. The understanding. The spiritual blessings.

Cross from Peru.
Do you believe?

Do you believe? Believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit? If so, you are adopted into God’s family and blessed with His grace and all the spiritual gifts He has promised. It is a spiritual realm that God inhabits—but He created all that we see and have here on earth. He is an awesome God. My favorite of His great promises is that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5). That may become even more important in times of trials that we may have to face in the future. The Rapture hasn’t happened…so as pressures and persecutions may get worse in the coming days, hang onto God’s promises. Take in all that He has to offer. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) These are the fruit of the Spirit and the blessings that result from following a faithful spiritual life.

Prayer ~ Lord God, please forgive me for my bad attitude earlier today…and bless me with Your spiritual blessings. Give me strength to endure any trials, tribulations and persecution that I may have to face in the coming days. Only You know the future…but I look forward to Jesus calling the believers home to Heaven anytime soon. Is that Heavenly home about finished? How many rooms still need to be completed?

Verse of Salvation ~ Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. I long for your rescue (salvation), LORD, so I have obeyed your commands. Psalm 119:165-166 

Bible Trivia Answer to the Question: What are the levels of Heaven?           

Sandhill Cranes migrating 
Birds flying through the heavens...near us.

First level – where the birds fly (Genesis 1:20)
Second level – the starry sky (Exodus 32:13)
Third level – Home of God – 2 Corinthians 12:2 – It is paradise.

Bible Trivia Question for next week: Who knows when Christ will return?

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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