Bible Journey > Ephesians

Here are my thoughts and highlights from Ephesians as I continue my journey through the Bible:

• God had you and me in mind from the very beginning. We’re the focus of his love. He made us to be whole and holy through his love.
• Because of what Jesus did by dying on the cross, I’m free of the penalties and punishments I deserve for when I’ve messed up–sinned. I have freedom in Christ. I’m "abundantly free!"
• God doesn’t want dumb faith. He wants me to be intelligent and discerning.
• "The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence."
• Paul said, "This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message." That’s my life work as well.
• Paul also admitted, "Here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ." I love it that I don’t have to fully comprehend all that there is to know about the mystery of God. Some of it can remain over my head.
• God wants me to live a full life. He wants me to live big!
• "God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" My vision is never too big for God.
• As individuals (and churches) we’re all called "to travel on the same road." We’re moving the same direction. God wants us to stay together. "But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same." In other words, God wants me to be fully committed to him and fully me.
• Some anger is appropriate. Paul said, "Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry–but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry." I know some Christians that are always angry. I don’t hang around them.
• "God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him."
• Can you drink beer and still be a Christian? It would be difficult for me to make a case from the Bible that drinking alcohol is wrong. I could easily make the case, however, that drinking too much alcohol is not helpful. Paul suggests too much drinking can "cheapen" our lives.
• God wants me to cherish Emily. He wants me to "go all out" in my love for her–"a love marked by giving, not getting." He wants everything I do to bring the best out of her. That’s a fun mission.
• Oh, and he also wants us to become "one flesh." I’m assuming I don’t need to draw a picture to interpret that part of the Bible for you. I’m amazed at how often the Bible addresses sex. It’s as if God knew that would be an important issue for us to figure out. I’m also amazed at how very little the Church addresses that topic.
• God doesn’t want me to be too harsh with my kids. He doesn’t want me to exasperate them. I’m thinking that doesn’t include whipping them in a mean game of Texas Hold’em poker though. I want to take all their chips. I’m all in.
• God is strong, and he wants me to be strong. Knowing his Word and praying helps me stay strong. So does hanging around people that are smarter than me.