He is in control..... - Ephesians

This past week in the Ephesians study we read Ephesians 1:15-23.  A few things stood out to me:
1) Paul was thankful for the other believers and was continually thanking God for them and praying for them. Reminds me that God has given us Christian friends to help us through this crazy life and we should continually be thankful for those friendships.  I know I take them for granted way to often.
2) We are to really "know" God, not just a head knowledge but a personal knowledge. This comes through spending time with him. 
3) We have a hope of eternal life in Christ and his power lives within us through the Holy Spirit...WOW (I am always amazed by this).
4) Christ is above all - authority, dominion or any title that can be given not just then but now (forever).
5) The church is Christ body and should be the reflection/expression of who Christ is.  It saddens me that this is not always the image that the church portrays.
6) God is in control.  Not the current circumstances, other people, or my fears and motivations, GOD IS.  The battle has already been won by him.

Again, this leaves me thankful. :) 
The verses are Ephesians 1:15-23.  Click here to read them.

Chosen, Redeemed, Forgiven, Adopted, Sealed - Ephesians

I was CHOSEN by God, through Christ's death was REDEEMED and FORGIVEN, when I accepted His offer of salvation I was ADOPTED into His family as one of His children and am SEALED with the Holy Spirit living inside of me as a sign of His love and guarantee that I am His forever.  

Ephesians 1:1-14

I don't know about you but when I think about this....WOW!  I am sooo thankful.  And that is a pitiful description of how this encouraged me.  I just joined a group of ladies who are starting to study through the book of Ephesians and what a blessing it has been already. 

Need a pep-talk?  Feeling useless, worn down, unforgivable, frustrated, purposeless, forgotten?  Boy, does Paul have some great words for you!  What a great pep-talk Paul gave the Ephesians through these first verses of Ephesians. 

Chosen, Redeemed, Forgiven, Adopted, Sealed = AMAZING! 

Check them out, think about them, dig in.  I promise that you will feel an amazing sense of purpose and feel loved.  And who doesn't like to feel loved?? :) 

The verses are Ephesians 1:1-14  Click here to read the verses.
The bible study on Ephesians can be found by clicking here: Good Morning Girls - Ephesians