“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:3-7 NLT
God,
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was difficult to know where to stop the passage above. This letter to the Ephesians launches, after greetings, into the reason for writing with such gusto. It would be like interrupting someone on a roll and a great positive encouraging roll. He wants the reader to know all the blessings in You through Christ.
Moses when he wanted Your people to remember Your blessings, had half the people stand on one hill and half on another nearby. One side gave the curses of disobeying You, God and the other the blessings of obedience. Paul does not dwell on the negatives of disobedience because these people have committed themselves to doing the right thing in Jesus and are hungry to grow.
So Paul energizes and encourages them. It is a beautiful passage which we can reread putting me in the place of us . . . we. So it reads, who has blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because I am united with Christ. Even before You, God made the world You loved me . . . powerful blessings. What a blessing. We worship You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen,
God,
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
For our close family. Health and hearts..
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and our denomination churches.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World kings, dictators, leaders and rulers.
For our nation to desire good and well being for each other.
For Ukraine. We persist in seeking You for an end to war.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions and long term peace.
For our emergency services, those who faithfully work their shifts.
For life guards, coastguards, the the lifeboat volunteers.
For market gardeners and the harvest of local beautiful summer provision in this nation.
For children. Parents still working. Guardians and grandparents and those helping mind them.
For those providing food for families here and in villages overseas in famine.
For us a blessed day, a day to be blessed and a day to share our blessings.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 18th August 2024
I love this worship song.
I love You, Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah
And all my life You have been faithful, oh
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me,
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after me
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing
‘Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Lyrics: Jenn Johnson and Bethel Music
Jenn Johnson shared with Fox News that the song had been inspired by the process of adopting her fourth child, as she had been singing impromptu into her phone while driving on a long country road about the faithfulness and kindness of God. Sge then developed the song from her impromptu recording.