Ephesians 1 ~ Heavenly places †

 

Texas has had Violent, non-Hurricane Storms, with 500 year historic range flooding on May 3rd, Northern Lights on May 11th, Non-Hurricane Winds of 127 mph on May 16th. And Spectacular sunsets, reminding us of --- Northern Lights for several weeks. The Galveston Railroad Bridge as a USA supply chain was knocked down by a barge, May 15th.

Drudge Report says Houston has apocalyptic weather. Historically, this would be the weather reported by the Roman Empire in the First and Second Century A.D.

Ephesians 1

Paul, 
an apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God, 

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly Places.

Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.

In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, 6 to the praise of His Glorious Grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.

In Him:

We have redemption through His blood, 

The forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 

Making known to us the mystery of His Will, 

According to His purpose, 

Which He set forth in Christ 

As a plan for the fullness of time

To unite all things in Him, 

Things in Heaven and things on earth.

In Him:

We have obtained an inheritance, 

Having been predestined according to the purpose of Him 

Who works all things according to the counsel of His Will

So that we who were the first to hope in Christ 

Might be to the praise of His Glory.

In Him, you also,

When you heard the Word of Truth, 

The Gospel of your salvation, 

And believed in Him, 

Were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 

Who is the guarantee of our inheritance

Until we acquire possession of it, 

To The Praise Of His Glory.



For this reason, 

Because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

And your love toward all the saints, 

I do not cease

To give thanks for you, 

remembering you in my prayers

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of Glory, 

May give you a spirit of wisdom 

and of revelation in the knowledge of Him

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,

That you may know what is the hope 

To which He has called you, 

What are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

And what is the immeasurable Greatness

Of His power toward us who believe, 

According to the working of His Great Might 

He has worked in Christ 

When He raised Him from the dead 

And seated Him at His Right Hand in the Heavenly places, 

Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, 

and above every name that is named, 

not only in this age 

but also in the one to come.

And He put all things 

under His feet 

And gave Him as Head over all things to the Church

Which is His body, 

the fullness of Him who fills ALL in ALL.

Paul writes from a place in our valid and real History, Paul's generation is the very first to hope in Jesus Christ. And in this newness, The Acts of the Apostles and all the New Testament came alive for us today and tomorrow. Yesterday, too.

Today, our area, outside of Houston, had a simple message on Social Media about giving Thanks to God for being Friday.  And this immediately began the pattern of obliterating the message to put feelings and life events first.  Well, after seeing winds clocked at 127 mph and downed electrical towers in a row, with historic range flooding - why not. 

However... this was simply amazing.  The Wow! 2 people, began to have a question and answer that was civil, pleasing, open, caring and even loving.  The author wrote to Thank God we survived. Thank You, God.  The next woman came to say, as a non-Christian was she to believe that the people losing their homes to floods, the 4 people killed in the gigantic storm, those destroyed or badly damaged in the next storm hadn't prayed in a manner pleasing to God who brought us the storms? And another man chimed in to say those he loved died recently. 

The author of the Post politely said he didn't have the answers, was sorry for their loss and had no ill intent towards them, was really expressing his gratitude in God. Had this in his heart. Heart spoke to heart and both people appreciated the other having Heart.

I had to go back and read this twice.  A passage of graceful, gracious behavior in a city that had experienced the unbelievable in weather for 2 weeks.

The Heart to Heart opened up a whole list of people to say why they felt grateful. How God had helped them. 

Then hours later, at the end of today, we sat next to a table of friends. 

The area of town is very upscale, now closes at 6 pm, has so many empty shops and people gather to listen to good music. The restaurant, once packed, now has seating available. 50% available. And as we sat and enjoyed the sunset and the view.

At this precise moment, we will now say the table next to us, the people were all in their 80s. Friends for a long, long time.

The conversation was about the events that happen and shape lives. Loss of a grandchild, a child. Who had lost a sibling. When this tragedy happened. Who had lost a grown child. Who had moved and made a new life. When jobs were scarce.  These things happen in life.  We will not escape life without having trouble and pain.  And in the conversation was comfort, acceptance, sorrow.  A wine glass was raised. People remembered.  Help. Helper. Comfort. Comfort.  An evening of joy.  To overcome. To believe. To endure. To have the heart strengthened by the Lord.  To be honest. To be real.  

And then, "What time will we go to Church tomorrow?"

This. This is precisely, accurately what it is to have Gratitude for The Lord.

To know days will come.  This phrase was used by our Lord Jesus Christ to say, we will all reach a day when we would like Jesus to be alive and sitting with us. To see miracles and the works of God change circumstance and health. Days will come.

And in the days to follow we will, now, know Help. Helper. Comfort. Comforter. And sit with people, we love, to see the sun blaze across the sky. To Love. To attain the belief and hope - The Best is Yet to Be In Jesus Christ. Forever.

Mercy for the merciful. Joy.

Abba, Father,

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father,

 guide the nations of the world 

into the way of justice and truth, 

and establish among

them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, 

that they

may become the kingdom of our Lord 

and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Mercy for the merciful.

Eternal God, 

in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn

but the sword of righteousness, 

no strength known but the

strength of love: 

So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, 

that

all peoples 

may be gathered under the banner 

of the Prince of Peace, 

as children 

of one Father; 

to whom be dominion 

and

glory, now and forever. 

Amen.

Dwell in us, Father,

we ask in the Highest Name of Jesus.

Dwell, fully, in those we love

Help us to seek You 

first

and we will finish well 

in Jesus Christ.

We pray 

Peace

for Israel

and Your Good Creation.

Continued Healing

and all Good Health!

Very Grateful for the help

we have received from each other

to complete this work

for my mother.

VERY GRATEFUL

for all the help we have had

and seeing hearts open

and pray Jesus for more.

More Heaven on earth

Less contention and evil.

Thank You. Jesus.

Our God is working. His Son,

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes, Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus