Ephesians by James Rochford (2022)

When you put your faith in Jesus to pay the price for your sins, you instantly inherit every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Whatever is true of Jesus becomes true of you. When God looks at you, He sees Jesus and all His perfection. Do you deeply know these truths? Are these truths becoming the greatest treasure of your life?

Opening the eyes of your heart involves transitioning from propositional truth of knowing God in a head-knowledge sort of way to a personal knowledge of God that goes deep into your heart. We need God's enlightenment to understand the depth of these truths. We can access this enlightenment of the heart by prayer, meditation and recognition and redirection throughout the day.

The question is not why would anyone want to follow Christ, but why would anyone not want to follow Him? Do you really want more emptiness, jealousy, and longing in your life? By following Christ, a Christian can be happy with the life they have been given, even in spite of the trials we all experience. If you have trusted Christ with your afterlife, why not trust Him with this life?

The Bible gives five means for discovering God's will for your life. Growing in your knowledge of the Bible allows you to know God's nature and values which reveals His will for us. Praying is how we access "the counsel of the Lord." We can ask Him! God has given us the ability to reason which is another way to discern God's will. Seeking mature advice from other Christians is a wise way to discover God's will. Our personal desires can also reveal God's will for our lives. He created each of us for a purpose and implanted desires in our hearts that fit that purpose.

The key to deep change that leads to a Spirit-filled life is the Holy Spirit. First, one must put their faith in Jesus to forgive their sins, and they will receive the Holy Spirit. Next, living a life of speaking God's truth, giving thanks, and serving others in love leads to a life of sacrificial love, or a Spirit-filled life.

With all the depressing statistics on marriage, it is fair to ask if there is hope for healthy marriages. The Bible has answers to what plagues postmodern relationships. Don't be put off by the message that the wife is to be subject to, and respect her husband and the husband is to love and lead his wife. Dig deeper into this passage and come away with the truly amazing way to have a successful marriage!

In the Apostle Paul's day, the father had ultimate control over his children, even after they were grown. God has a different view of the authority of the father. It should be a relationship where the father teaches the child to follow God. Children, in turn , are to obey when they are young and to honor their patents when they are grown up.

Some people today argue the Bible approved of slavery because it does not condemn it. On the contrary, the New Testament decries slave-trade, urges slaves to get their freedom, and affirms the value and equality of all people. The teachings of the inherent value of every human being in the New Testament actually led ultimately to the abolition of slavery.

Satan's strategies include manipulation, exaggerating offenses and hurt feelings, fueling temptation, and nurturing suspicion. The Christian's strategy to stand against his schemes is to put on the full armor of God. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit make up the full armor of God.