"For through Him we both have access by one spirit to the Father."
Ephesians 2:18  NKJV

"For it is through Him that we both {whether far off or near} now have a introduction {access} by one {Holy} Spirit to the Father- so that we are able to approach Him." Eph. 2:18  AMP

I thought you might enjoy seeing the amplified Bible, and how it approaches this verse. It is rather wordy, which is why it's hard to read the amplified only. For insight to a verse you can't beat it. I like to read verses in different versions to get a clear picture what it's saying.

 It is easy. Go to google, type in a verse or even part of it if you're not sure of the whole thing.You will get what you want, plus other translations. Bible Hub is one site that I use often. I'm careful not to read any personal interpretations of a verse. When doing a google search anything can come up. I want to be sure of my sources.

Valid sources are very important, especially when dealing with scripture. I like the use of the word "introduction" here. Jesus is our for-runner; the one who tells the Father all about us. I can hear him saying such wonderful things about you right now.

Jesus: "You are going to be thrilled by so and so. She loves you so much. She told several strangers how you delivered her from the fear of man. She went on and on about how much you care for us and she couldn't say enough about how you have met her needs in every way."

God the Father: When do I get to see this person? Jesus: Not for a long time; she has a lot more to do. God: Make sure you stay very close by her side, she is going to need your strength and power to do all that I have given her. Jesus: How about I live within her by the Holy Spirit?  God: Sounds like a plan.

We are allowed access to God the Father because of the Son. This was unheard of in old testament days. No one had access to God, except for the High Priest who went into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice once a year. If he didn't do everything just right he would die. The reason for the bells on the end of his robe was for those outside to know if he fell over.The bells would ring and he would    be pulled out. I'm not kidding.

A High Priest got one chance in his lifetime to enter the Holy of Holies. The presence of God was in this room. It represented our need for a Savior to go in on our behalf. Jesus finished this work on the cross, so there would never again be a need for a sacrifice. He was" the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world." John
1:29 NKJV He was born for this purpose. He died to set us free. This is not a guilt trip, but a victory! He wants us to rejoice. He rejoices with us.

  

"and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."  Ephesians 2:16

Who is Paul talking about here? Who needs to be reconciled? The gentiles{those who are not Jews or believers} need to be brought into Christ by the finished work of the cross. If we read from verse 11 we see this letter is assuring the Ephesians that in Christ, we are all the same.

This view made the Apostle hated by the Jews who did not believe in Christ. Those who believed in keeping the Law had no place for gentiles. We do see some exceptions in scripture. Ruth was a Moabite, but she turned to the one true God, and was welcomed into Jewish society. Rahab was a prostitute who believed that the God of the Jews was the one true God. She left her old job to follow in the ways of the Lord, and was saved from death because of her Godly choice.

We read about slaves being circumcised as to obey the Law of Moses. I think those slaves must have hated that one. How can this outward sign, that is being forced on others ever make a difference?

It cannot. A heart that is willing to follow Jesus can be used in ways we never dreamed. Those who are forced may harden their hearts.

The reason God made us with free wills was so we could be free to choose whether or not to serve him. If our hearts are not involved, he knows it. Oh, I don't like this. I think of times when I did the "right" thing, but my heart was somewhere else. I won't linger on this point, but ask for forgiveness, and move on.

It is important that we not park our thoughts on the wrong things we do. God is not glorified by any of us hashing out our issues on a regular basis. He forgives, and we move on. Depression can set in if we sit on the negative for too long. Believe what God says about you.

He says, You are his own. You are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, but you know this, because we are working our way through Ephesians. Go back and read Ephesians chapter 1 again, and do it again tomorrow. If you want to, do it everyday for the month of March. I am. Watch the lies and deception fall off of you. God's word will do it.

"For he alone is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation," Ephesians 2:14  NKJV

Do you remember on Wednesday I said that the enemy will strike when we are weak, and we least expect it? The next day I got a call from a family member who was cleaning out their condo. Then this person asked if I wanted all of my children's pictures from babyhood that we gave to them as a gift.

My first reaction was,"You don't want my children's pictures?" Their answer, "I'm cleaning out my condo for resale and I'm getting rid of things."I told said person to send them to me, even though I have pictures coming out of the windows.

Yesterday before any of this happened, I saw this tag on my husband's shirt. The "Wrinkle resistant" caught my attention. I said to God, "That's what I want to be, wrinkle resistant."When I got this phone call, I knew the tag was there for my benefit. 

I am not to take offense at this family member's disconnect. They had no idea what they said was hurtful. I know that so and so isn't saved, and is not on the same page as we are. The incident was a reminder to pray for their well being in every way.

I am glad for connection, and family, as I shared this week. I don't want someone on the outside, that needs to be on the inside. Family relationships  and connections can be knotted up and entangled with many years of disunity.

Our role as God's women is to love, release and move on, unless there is harm involved. Physical or emotional harm is not to be tolerated especially from a spouse.This member is out of town, and not a close relative.

Unity, peace and bonding in good healthy relationships is God's best for all of us. We include others and what choice is made by them to accept or reject is their business. I want to make sure that I am right in my heart attitude before God.

My focus is on His love. Displaying, writing and saying what He would want. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance. {Romans 2:4} If kindness leads the lost to the light, then kind is what we need to be. It is not easy, but it is worth it. Every time I remember the incident from yesterday, I give it to God. He pours His love on me, and I am healed and I can give it out!  Have a wonderful weekend.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13  NKJV

I don’t like being far away from my family. God knows this and has given me wonderful friend who love me. This is wonderful since my blood relatives are out of state. I didn’t move, everyone else did.  I don’t take it personally. It is really expensive to live on Long Island, and this is why my brother sister and Father went elsewhere.

My Christian family is near. Perhaps you have a similar circumstance. Family is far away so God has given you people who care for you like family would. If you don’t make sure you make good friends by being a good friend. Be the one who loves. Be the person who shares what is given to you. Good friends are made by how we treat others.

Hold dear those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has made all of us for relationship. Sometimes we don’t want to be friendly. God said to be a faithful friend and treat others as you would like to be treated. It really does work! In my younger years I couldn’t understand this concept.

 I wanted to protect myself and my children. Rudy can take care of himself. Just kidding, I probably protect him more readily than anyone else. He is such a lovely, kind man , and I can be fierce when anyone speaks badly of him. Just ask my kids. What a tangent I got on!

I finally realized that Jesus is the best defender of all. Caring for others is a valuable trait that I am learning. I have a lot to learn. Rudy has taught me well, so I will stick with him as my teacher. Jesus is the one who teaches him. I can go straight to him of course  and I do that too. What a wonderful Savior.

"that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in this world." 
Ephesians 2:12 NKJV

I shiver at the thought! Being without God in this world, but I know many who are without God. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have in this world against the lies of the enemy. His ploy is to keep people from understanding God, and his ways. His is the Father of lies. 

Our enemy is not all knowing, all powerful, or ever-present like our God. The power and authority of Jesus Christ is above all else. There will never be anything that our enemy can do about that. He knows if he can cause us to doubt, have unbelief, we can be caught away from the truth.

I use the word "caught" on purpose because the Bible says that the enemy tries to catch us like a bird in a snare, Psalm 124:7. This word picture is effective for me to realize how much I don't want to be snared. I guessing that is not your idea of a good time either?

We can pray protection over our loved ones at all times, and stand on the walls as soldiers do to see beyond what is happening on the ground. Looking down the road can bring protection, wisdom and strength to those who need it, like you and I.

If we prepare for battle, and the battle doesn't come, we are strengthened. We need to be aware as lies pop up at the worst times. When we aren't ready to fight back. The enemy doesn't play fair, and he is cunning and slick.

Put on your armor, Soldier! Go to Ephesians 6:11-18, and do it often. Whatever lie is thrown at you, reply as Jesus did. It is written---. Say what the Bible says. Nothing can be stronger than this. God's word is yes and amen in all of creation. Amen means so be it. It is as you say. God's kingdom is coming in each of us. The kingdom of God is within you as a believer in the finished work of calvary. Luke 17:20-21. Victory in Jesus name!

 

"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-"  Ephesians 2:11  NKJV

You may be wondering why I didn't write yesterday. It was a holiday. That's not the reason. My husband was home, and my schedule was not my ordinary one for Mondays. I guess you could say that it was because of the holiday!

What matters is I am here now. Let's focus on our Friend and leader the Apostle Paul. I do believe that if he lived in our day, or we in his, that we would be friends. He would be the type of friend to ask all of our questions. How come good people suffer? Why do young people die of terrible diseases? You know the questions you would ask.

Would he have the answers? Probably not. Why? Some things are hard for our finite minds to understand. Does this mean that we shouldn't ask hard questions? No. Our God is not moved by any questions, as long as said questions do not lead to unbelief.

Let's look at our verse. Circumcision? Why is this in question? The Jewish law said that any male who is not circumcised is outside the household of Faith. It was an outward sign of {hopefully} an inward commitment. We know this doesn't work, because many have an outward sign, with no heart.


Paul doesn't tell them, being Gentiles, to be circumcised. He understands that this was an outward sign, made by hands. Our heart attitude far surpasses what our flesh shows on the outside. 

The pride of the Jews was the fact that an outward sign was on their bodies. Paul tells those who first have faith in Christ that you would have to follow the whole law in order for this to be a valid sign. This would be futile. Why start in faith, and end in the law? Christ has delivered us from the sting of the law, the bondage of following rules, for no reason.

Jesus perfected our faith, and took away a legalistic perspective. It would never save us. He knew the law better than any man. He knew it was futile, except to bring us to the only one who could bring liberty. He knew the work had to be done, and he did it!

The cross is our liberty. Before the resurrection, the cross was only a sign of cruel, heartless death. Today it stands for new life, and freedom. Only our mighty, powerful God could ever take a sign of despair, and make it good. It's who he is! Wonderful!

Do you like my wallpaper of the day? Bright and cheerful. This is me on the inside, on the outside not as much. This is because I am limited to the inside of my house. Running and jumping have their limits indoors. Speaking of which, have you been enjoying the Olympics?

 I love to watch the skaters and snowboarders as each one leaps, runs, spins and all that good stuff. I want to do such things too, but my body isn't there. Some day, I will do all of these things and more, when I am not limited to this body.

Running is something I can enjoy at the moment, but I'm limited to house only. Walking is more what I do, but I must get some fast strides in there. This is a prerequisite for me to heaven.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Ephesians 2:10  NKJV

Every person you talk to can have their own definition of what is a "good work." To some it would be "good" to have stricter gun control. To others we need to have better mental health care. I am referring to the horrific school shooting in Florida this week. 

Many groups are using this situation for their own political gain, which is divisive. What about our youth? Who is going to cry out to God on their behalf? This all is a reflection on the breakdown of the home. Mothers and Fathers are needed in order to build a strong moral society.

Our culture makes fun of manhood, as if it is a dirty thing. Strong men, and fathers are necessary to anchor our youth. After all, our young get their reference of Godliness from their own relationship with their father. Manhood is a necessary blessing in a society when it is in God's balance.

I'm not trying to make men seem infallible, not at all. We have gone so far in the opposite direction from a "good" representation of our heavenly Father's character. We cannot downplay this necessity in our culture anymore.

God forbid that we try to go on as usual, as if this is now an acceptable part of our lives. This world hasn't got the answers. God has always been, and will always be the answer to all of our society's wows. I know we are in the end times, but we as the people of God are not to slid into despondency but to action, whatever that means for each of us. 

Can you influence youth? Go out and do it. Can you pray? Every one can. Do what you know to do, and you will know what to do.This is a favorite saying of my Pastor. Do what's right, and God will show you the rest. None of us can do all of the work, but everyone can do their part. Praise God, He does the "good" work!