In the Mornings /Take with Food
January 16th, 2011
Ephesians 3:14-19
INTRODUCTION
Most of us begin the day wi breakfast. What do you prefer?
Mom was Right!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for everyone. Many studies have found a relationship between eating breakfast and learning ability, attention span, and general well-being. The American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org) reports that adults who eat breakfast have an easier time losing weight. Children who regularly eat breakfast think faster, clearer, solve problems more easily, and are less likely to be irritable.
So whatever type of breakfast you fancy the breakfast meal is important.
In the same we refuel or body daily we must refuel our spiritual lives. And if breakfast is the most important meal of day,
P.S. HOW WE BEGIN EACH DAY SPIRITUALLY HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
Eph 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
NIV
Regularly acknowledge the relationship
MINNEAPOLIS -- An Alabama boy got the best Christmas present he's ever received - a second chance at life.
Five-year-old Payton Thornton received a bone marrow transplant to treat a rare skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa, or E.B., which he was born with. Payton's baby brother Paxton was the donor,
"I think when he understands the meaning of what he did for his big brother, I think it will draw them closer and closer," Payton's mom Joy Thornton said.
The skin disease causes many children to die within months of birth. In Payton's case, he would've eventually died of skin cancer.
"It's very painful," Dr. John Wagner said. "It's like a bad burn on your body. Imagine how sensitive that would make your skin."
Payton and his family have been living at the Ronald McDonald house in Minneapolis since July. They are heading back home to Alabama this weekend, just in time for the holidays.
Payton will undergo checkups throughout the next year. Dr. Wagner expects Payton to be cured within one year.
(Copyright 2010 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
* (I bow the knees Kneel) The Heart of Worship
* Intentional acts acknowleging
In Him are unsearchable profound Riches --Ephesians 3:8
Eph 3:8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, NIV
Craig Brian Larson, Arlington Heights, Illinois shares this story
On my desk I like to display, on a bookstand, the kind of gift books you put on the coffee table--those filled with professional photos of nature or tourist destinations. My current book is called America's Spectacular National Parks (author, Michael Duchemin). For several days I have had the book open to a photo of the Grand Teton Mountains, an extra-wide photo that filled not only the left page, but crossed the fold and took half of the page on the right. It is a majestic display of deep blue sky; rugged, gray, snow-capped mountains; and a calm lake in the foreground.
This morning I decided to turn the page to the next photo, and as I did I discovered that I had missed something important. The right page of the Grand Tetons photo was an extra-long page folded over, covering part of the Grand Tetons. So when I opened it up, it not only revealed what was covered, but added another eight inches to the Grand Tetons photo. In other words, when I opened the fold, I added some 16 inches to the width of the photo. Wow. The Grand Tetons became even grander.
The Christian life has unfolding moments like that, when we discover there is much more to God and his kingdom than we knew, much more to his purpose for us than we imagined. Abraham experienced that at age 75, Moses at age 80, the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. Again and again in the Bible, when God met people, he opened a glorious page for them that had previously been folded.
Jesus this day you are the source of the greatest riches and blessings in my life. Help me to remember that throughout the day.
That have been entrusted to us --His church--Ephesians 3:9-10
Eph 3:9-10 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, NIV
My identity is attached to 45 welton ave. My identity in Crist is attached to his church.
Regularly acknowledging that our place of belonging is now forever tied to his Body the church.
Jesus today I am a part of your body, I belong. I have a place of acceptance. I do not journey alone, but my spiritual journey runs with countless others who are followers of the Forgiver.
With an eternal purpose --Ephesians 3:11
Eph 3:11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV
That everything about our relationship with God pertains to his eternal purpose. Glorifying himself through the redemption of humanity.
So today Jesus, in my relationship with you might I further fulfill your purposes, might today you advance your agenda.
Because of him I have gained access to God--Ephesians 3:12
Eph 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. NIV
Help me to remember that no matter what besets me today that I have direct access to you your grace your presence you help. Nothing can take me form that place but my own neglect.
So now even my discouragements and hardships are for Glory's sake.--Ephesians 3:13
This day Jesus no matter what happens let me bring glory to you.
Regularly seek more
* The Heart of Prayer
* The quest for more
* Intentional Acts seeking
Eph 3:14-15
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
That the Holy Spirit's Strength be abundant in us--Ephesians 3:16
Eph 3:16
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Asking for more of the Holy Spirit strength is an admission that your spiritual health is more than just trying harder, Christian modification. It is dependent upon the supernatural transformation of who you are.
God today might I know the incredible power and strength of the Holy Spirit at work in my life.
That our heart be prepared for the daily dwelling of a Lord.--Ephesians 3:17
Eph 3:17
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
* "Dwell" - "feel at home"
To be prepared for the daily dwelling of God implies some things.
I remember as a teen looking at the clock and realizing that my mom was due home from work. We went on a tear, picking up all the stuff we left out, getting dishes to the sick, finishing chores. She was coming home and we weren't ready for her.
Daily examining you heart and determining if there are things that need to be cleaned up, cast out.
God reveal to me anything that must be dealt with that you might truly dwell in my heart this day.
That A Steady Christ Walk would be evident--Ephesians 3:17
Eph 3:17
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Field sobriety test reveals what controls you. Every day we go through repeated field spirituality tests. Daily we should be asking that a steady walk, journey, relationship with Jesus be evident.
Jesus this day at every turn may it be evident may an upright walk be evident in my life.
That an ever growing understanding of the love of God emerges--Ephesians 3:18-19
Eph 3:18-19
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge
Seasonings -- Ever growing awareness of their presence.
May you're an ever increasing awareness of the greatness of your love emerge in every circumstance, situation, and encounter of my day? May it flavor every aspect of my life.
That the measure of my life points to the sufficiency of God--Ephesians 3:19
Eph 3:19
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
SAT's
May the measure of my success be the sufficiency of your presence in my life. Might it be the deciding factor the game changer, the turning point, and critical element of everything about me.
