Ephesians 1:14-23, Part 5 In the summer of 2010, I was sitting in a bank in Chicago, squirming in my seat, very uncomfortable. A group of us from Faith Church were there on a mission trip, working with our sister church Kimball Avenue. We were listening to a presentation about the use of power toContinue reading “The shocking power God wants to give us”
Tag Archives: Prayer
We don’t have to wait until we die to experience God’s inheritance
Ephesians 1:14-23, Part 4 Having a rich relative or friend who bestows a lavish inheritance on us is a dream for many people. It is a common scene in literature, film, and television. A wealthy person dies, the family attorney calls the family together for the reading of the will, and it is revealed whoContinue reading “We don’t have to wait until we die to experience God’s inheritance”
The importance of the eyes of your heart
Ephesians 1:15-23, Part 3 Did you know that your heart has eyes? And no, I’m not referring to anatomy. Stay with me here. After praying that the people would have the spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better, Paul has another powerful prayer request for them. Here’s what he writes in Ephesians 1,Continue reading “The importance of the eyes of your heart”
What to do to know God better
Ephesians 1:15-23, Part 2 Do you want to know God better? That’s one of those questions Christians kind of have to answer yes to, right? If I were in a group of Christians and I said, “Raise your hands if you want to know God better,” I would wager I’d get a pretty decent response.Continue reading “What to do to know God better”
How to know if you faith is true faith
Ephesians 1:15-23, Part 1 How do you know if your faith in God is true faith? In Ephesians 1:15-23, before Paul prays for the Christians, he describes true faith. When he describes true faith, I find it fascinating what Paul doesn’t say. He could have said, “I see your faith because you gather for worshipContinue reading “How to know if you faith is true faith”
How to improve at prayer
Ephesians 1:15–23, Preview Have you ever thought to yourself that some people seem to be really good at praying? When we think that other people are good at praying, perhaps we feel that way because we don’t believe we are good at praying. Especially praying out loud in front of other people. Praying out loudContinue reading “How to improve at prayer”
The healing energy of grace
Ephesians intro, Part 3 Paul’s greeting in his letter titled “Ephesians” uses two words that he starts 13 of 13 letters with. These are two exceedingly important concepts for Christians. We read the two words of this greeting in Ephesians 1, verse 2. “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the LordContinue reading “The healing energy of grace”
Off the field practices to help you experience flourishing – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 5
I played soccer in college. Admittedly, it was not high quality college soccer. In fact, with the exception of my very good freshman year college team, I have a feeling my high school team could have beaten my college team every other year. Still, just about all of the players on that college team, allContinue reading “Off the field practices to help you experience flourishing – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 5”
Believe it or not, continual prayer is possible! – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 26, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Debbie Marks. Debbie has a degree in social work, served for 30+ in pastoral ministry alongside her husband, is an educator, leads Bible studies, and has been a retreat speaker. I’m excited for her teaching this week. The second habit that Paul addresses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18Continue reading “Believe it or not, continual prayer is possible! – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 26, Part 4”
The Apostle Paul’s “Eat Pray Love”-like formula – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Debbie Marks. Debbie has a degree in social work, served for 30+ in pastoral ministry alongside her husband, is an educator, leads Bible studies, and has been a retreat speaker. I’m excited for her teaching this week. In 2006 Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a biographical memoir called EatContinue reading “The Apostle Paul’s “Eat Pray Love”-like formula – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 1″
Engaging Scripture 