Focus intently upon the Word, in order
to be changed.
Many times our days are filled with stress and frustrations that
seem to raise our blood pressure, cause our hearts to race, and cause us to
speak in snappy ways to others. Sometimes during our most stressful moments
during the day, we encounter that person or those people who tend to push our
buttons and push us over the top with our stress levels. We tend to struggle
with such physical conditions as tensity and stiffness in our necks, headaches,
migraines, and even TMJ. After long periods of such stress, our physical conditions can increase leading to serious
health issues such at heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
We have got to learn how to handle such stress and focus on a
more peaceful lifestyle. Of course, diet and exercise are two great factors
that can help alleviate such health issues, but one of the most important factors
is alleviating stress by focusing on the peace that only God can bring to us.
We must learn to go in His peace and leadership at work and rest. This week we
will focus on doing just that.
Greeting
Sunday: Read Ephesian 1:1-2 “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.” Today as you meditate on
these verses, pray think about the Grace you have received from God and the
peace He bestows. Take a deep breath and read these two verses several times.
Absorb the word “peace,” and meditate on the peacefulness of God through Jesus
Christ. Pray and ask God to give you His peace and to help you recognize it all
day. This may also be a good day to sit outside on your patio or porch, sip
coffee, listen to the birds, and meditate on the peacefulness of God.
In your journal write a commitment statement that you will relax
in the peace of God all day and all week.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Monday: Focus on
Ephesians 1:3-6 “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 to himself as
sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise
of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Today let’s meditate on the blessings that God has bestowed
upon us through His Son Jesus Christ. God planned before we were born and even
before the foundation of the world to provide us with His special blessing
which is eternal life with Him. He has chosen for us to receive spiritual
blessings in the heavenly places, which means these blessings are coming from
the heavenly realms. In order to fully understand and enjoy these blessings, we
must put our focus and affections on spiritual things rather than earthly
things. If we can develop the mindset that although we live here on earth, we
have our focus on spiritual matters, we will strive to be holy and blameless
before God our Father, He will bless us and provide all we need to get through
our daily routines of life. This kind of mindset will require us to relinquish
our ideas of living for self and accept the mindset of living for God here on
earth.
As we develop this heavenly and spiritual mindset in our
daily lives, we will recognize the spiritual blessings of God. Then, we should,
in turn, show our adoration and thankfulness for what God is doing for us by
giving Him praise for His glorious grace and blessings. It seems that we are
quick to ask God for help and beg for His assistance, deliverance, and
blessings, but we are not always prone to praise Him as He deserves. Today,
focus on your praise to God for all He has done and will continue to do for
you. Start by praising Him for the blessing of salvation through the sacrifice
He made by offering His Son on our behalf to cover our sins.
In your journal today make a list of the blessings God has
given you. Write a praise to Him for each blessing. Get creative in how you
choose to praise Him. Begin to recognize the exceptional qualities of God. For
example, praise Him for being the all loving God who willingly gave His Son,
who knew no sin, to die in your place as you are from a sinful nature. Praise
Him for being the all knowing God who guides and directs your paths and keeps
you from harm even when you don’t know it is coming. I’m sure your list can go
on and on.
Tuesday:
Focus on Ephesians 1:7-10 “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.” Today, we will go deeper into the act of God giving His
only Son to cover our sins, so we can we can have eternal life. We are the ones
who have trespasses and sins against our Holy Father, but Christ is the one who
paid the price to cover our sins. God, through His Son, offers us forgiveness
as a free gift. Not only is this free gift offered to us, but we are also
lavished with all the blessings from God on behalf of what His Son has
sacrificed for us. We are allowed to have the wisdom and insight of God as He
reveals to us His will and purpose for our lives. He trusts us enough to allow
us to know His heart.
Have you spent time focusing and comprehending the
magnitude of exactly what Christ has done in order for us have such blessings
and redemption? Spend time today comprehending the reality of what was
sacrificed so you could receive God’s grace and blessings freely. In your
journal give God praise for that and thank Him for your redemption.
Wednesday:
Focus on Ephesians 1:11-14 “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.” Today we will think about the
inheritance we have received as a result of believing in Christ and accepting
Him as our Lord and Savior. We who have done this are considered the children
of God and are guaranteed our inheritance in Him. Therefore, we are to offer
praises to Him for His glory. Once again, we are going to focus on the praise
God deserves from us because of the way He has included us in His family and
has provided an inheritance for us as a beloved family member. We are actually
children of a King! We are in the royal family!
In your journal, write a statement praise and gratification
for the inheritance that has been promised to you. As you write this statement,
consider the eternal alternative you could have faced had God not provided this
inheritance for you.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
Thursday:
Read Ephesians 1:15-21. “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 the 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 that he 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.” Today let’s think about how Paul prayed for those who were
close to him and striving to live a faithful life in Christ. He acknowledged
their willingness to be faithful regardless of what they were experiencing or
facing in their daily lives, and he made a special point of praying for them to
be strengthened and provided the wisdom needed as they continue and the
enlightenment of hope they have as they remain faithful.
Today, turn your focus from yourself to others who could
benefit from that same kind of prayer and encouragement that Paul offered to
the saints to whom he considered close friends. In your journal make a list of
people who need your prayer support and encouragement as they continue in their
pursuit of remaining faithful to God and the path He has directed them to
follow. Once your list is made, fervently pray for their protection, wisdom,
and continued guidance in their daily lives. Now, take that prayer a step
further and write a note or card to one or all on that list. In this note state
that you are praying for them according to Ephesians 1:15-21, and offer them a
word of encouragement for their faithfulness.
Friday: Read again Ephesians
1:15-21. “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 the 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 that he 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.” Today let’s focus specifically on verse 19 that expresses
the fact that we today have the same great power available to us as was exerted
when God raised Christ from the dead. Today as you go about your daily routine
and face adversity, stress, frustrations, etc., relax in and trust the power of
God that is available to you through Christ Jesus. Move in His power and
overcome whatever comes your way. Allow that power to be perfect and real in
all you do and face all day. Remember, you do not have to fight against the
obstacles; you just have to proceed in the power of God Almighty, who has all
things under His control.
It is our nature to want to fight back, or take control and
put people in their place. That method causes us lots of stress and
frustration. Let it go, and let God take care of it in His power and strength.
This will alleviate your stress as you are able to practice this kind of Godly
power in your life.
In your journal today, write a prayer of thanks for all
that God will take care of for you. Of course, you also will want to write a
statement of your willingness to allow Him to have control over your day and
exert His power over all situations and people you encounter all day. Once you
have made this commitment, relax and go about your day with a spirit of peace,
knowing God has all things under control.
Saturday:
Read Ephesians 1:22-23. “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.” Today
we will acknowledge who is actually over all things to the church. God has
placed Christ to be the head of the church; therefore, all are to subject and
yield in sincere obedience to Christ. It was God’s gift to Christ just as it is
our gift as well to have a such a dominant head over us who has such power and
authority to control all things. He has been given all power in heaven and
earth. As Christ is the head of the church, He will guide and protect the body
as it is His pride and joy. We can rest in the fact that if Christ is allowed
by us to be the head of the church, the church will flourish and thrive.
Take a moment today to reflect on Christ as the head.
Understand what it means for us to let go of controlling factors within the
church according to our thoughts and ways, and give the control back to Christ,
so He can accomplish His desires for the church.
In your journal today list activities that have recently
occurred that verify Christ is in control. Are there areas that need to be
relinquished to His control? Pray that God will give all members the ability to
give Him complete control over the church and to allow Christ to be the
ultimate head of the church. Relax now in the leadership of Christ rather than
fighting to enforce the will of man.
Blessings,
Cheryl
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