ENCOURAGED

The book of Ephesians is one of my favorite letters to read. As it is a letter of Holy inspired words of ENCOURAGEMENT, I look forward to listing the FACTS and LESSONS! The church in Ephesus was one of the most prominent established by God in A.D.53. The church of our Father God, His Son Jesus Christ, and our Counselor the Holy Spirit is His use of His creation, His people. Crossroads Church in Manteca is not confined or contained inside the building, it is a collection of many believers who came from Catholic, Jewish, Nazarene, Baptist, Budhist, Methodist, Pentecostal places that now delight to share the same essential belief in Jesus as Lord. The very first church was formed by God as He drew a large crowd of people, from every nation, to Jerusalem. "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together, in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the HOUSE where they were all sitting. They saw like tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Note that it does not say that speaking in tongues is required, but the word says that ALL were filled with the Holy Spirit, and as the Spirit enabled, they spoke in other languages. "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' - Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off---(those that live in 2010) for all whom the Lord our God will call....And the Lord added to their number daily (the LORD added, He drew, He called) those who were being saved." (ACTS 2:37-46) The day of Pentecost----the day that the COST of the BLOOD of JESUS required REPENTANCE of sins, to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit. All the miracles that occured were witnessed by hundreds --- the book of Ephesians, written by Paul to affirm the nature of the church is to understand the importance of the Holy Spirit. To be reminded of the glorious FACT that BELIEVERS in Christ have been SHOWERED with God's promised Holy Spirit, filled with the Spirit's power, freed from sin's curse and bondage, marked with the Holy Spirit, and brought near to God. "Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us IN HIM before the creation of the world to BE HOLY and blameless IN HIS sight. IN LOVE HE predestined us to BE ADOPTED as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with HIS PLEASURE and WILL --- to the PRAISE of HIS GLORIOUS GRACE, which HE has FREELY GIVEN us in the One He loves. IN HIM we have redemption through HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, in accourdance with the riches of GOD'S GRACE that HE LAVISHED on us with ALL WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING. And HE MADE KNOWN to us the MYSTERY of HIS WILL according to HIS GOOD PLEASURE, which HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST, to be PUT INTO EFFECT when the times will have reached their FULFILLMENT---to bring ALL THINGS in heaven and on earth TOGETHER under ONE HEAD, even CHRIST. 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 HOPE IN CHRIST, might BE for the praise of HIS GLORY" Ephesians 1:3-13 WOW - take some time, read this again, DIGEST IT FULLY of what God is saying to YOU, your heart, your soul, your purpose IN HIM.
'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD' Psalm 46:10 When we are still, His Spirit flames up inside, He moves, He speaks to us.