Tag Archives: encouragement

The Power of Prayer

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Don Merritt

Ephesians 3:14-21 This morning’s text is a prayer that Paul gave for the Ephesians, a prayer of power and of selfless love for the saints, a prayer that deserves our review and emulation. Notice that as he begins this prayer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, church, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, hope, Jesus, life, love, perspective, Prayer | 8 Comments

Where were you…?

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Don Merritt

Job isn’t one of the books of the Bible that people study a lot these days, but it’s quite a story. Now old Job was being tested, and for the most part he did really well through his trials … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged attitude, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Devotional, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, perspective | 24 Comments

God Has a Plan

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Don Merritt

Ephesians 3:1-13 Isn’t this an interesting little chunk? Paul mentions “mysteries” several times here, and likens these “mysteries” to the “administration of God’s grace”; what could he be referring to? He mentions a mystery that was made known to him … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged attitude, Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, inspiration, Jesus, life, perspective | 16 Comments

Reconciliation in Christ

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Don Merritt

Ephesians 2:11-22 Paul, in these verses, completes the picture he began in the first 10 verses of this chapter that we covered in yesterday’s post, by tying together the picture of God’s redemption and reconciliation of all people. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged attitude, Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, perspective | 7 Comments

Weekly Podcast August 27. 2014

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Don Merritt

How We Respond to “Bad Stuff” This week’s podcast came a couple of days later than planned, but it’s here now. This is another little chat coming from one of those group discussions I attend, and it deals with our … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged attitude, Christian, Devotional, discipleship, encouragement, faith, hope, Jesus, life, perspective, podcast | 8 Comments

Alive!

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Don Merritt

Ephesians 2:1-10 After several days of dealing with “technical issues,” let’s try this again! Beginning here in chapter two, Paul reminds us of how we have been made alive in Christ. It’s a funny thing, but I nearly added … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, perspective | 9 Comments

Prayer, Power and Potential

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Don Merritt

Ephesians 1:15-23 Paul continues his opening of this letter by moving on from the glorious things he has been saying about our redemption into giving thanks for it. Yet as we continue reading this section, I’m sure that you, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged attitude, Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, hope, Jesus, life, perspective | 15 Comments

A Guarantee

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged attitude, Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, perspective | 10 Comments

Off to a Fast Start

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

To a large degree, chapter one is an introduction to the letter. In the first two verses, Paul identifies himself and addresses his recipients in his usual style, and then he jumps into his introduction beginning in verse 3. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, Devotional, discipleship, encouragement, Ephesians, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, perspective | 10 Comments

Introduction to Ephesians

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Don Merritt

It has now been a few weeks since we completed our tour of Mark’s gospel, and it’s time to go on another tour, so we might just as well visit Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. This letter, probably written sometime … Continue reading →