The Dwelling Richly Podcast

Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 4 (Eph. 2)

I believe the reasons why someone would reject Jesus Christ are simple, and there are really only two reasons: 1) No belief or 2) No need.
Either someone doesn’t believe in the truth of the Bible or someone believes it but rejects the message because they do not see that they need it.
What is the truth? That Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)
What is the need? That we are lost and in need of saving.
God made a way for all of us to be saved. Saved from what? The powers of this present darkness. In his resurrection, the message was made clear: "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). The way of the Christ is narrow and few will choose it, and the way of Satan is broad and many go that way. Be assured, without a Savior, the prince of the power of the air reigns over the sons of disobedience. In Christ we have been saved from the darkness, we are children of Light. Because of God’s great mercy, love, and grace we are saved. Thank God!
This study is available to download for free at
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Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 3 (Eph. 2:1-3)

I accepted Jesus as my savior when I was seven years old. I had heard who Jesus was, saw the love of God in the life of my parents, and knew I wanted that love. It was a simple faith, a simple decision, but, the Bible teaches that it changed me from dead to alive. Some people might have made that decision - said “Yes, I want that life” - much later after having lived life and had a lot more experiences under their belt. Maybe they were very aware of their need – how lost and hopeless they were. Maybe instead of tenderly bowing their young head as they sat with their parents they cried out in desperation as a young adult to God to save them. That wasn’t my experience. I said yes early enough in life to have no sense of my own lostness. I didn’t cry out in desperation. I just said, “Yes. I believe.” That’s not to say I wasn’t lost, I just got found before it dawned on me. It’s been nearly 50 years since I made that decision, and in those years I’ve definitely realized how lost I am without Jesus Christ. I know how dead I could be without the power of His resurrection at work in me. I know how different my life could have been, and I’m thankful for that early decision. I know now as I look back at that scene with my parents in our little parsonage back in 1972 that even as sweet of a moment as that was there was an unseen war going on around us. There in that shag carpeted family room a battle waged for my heart. God took and sealed it for Himself that day and, while I may fail Him, I’ll always know His love never left me and never will.
This study is available to download for free at
www.LaMiradaChurch.com
Watch each daily lesson and join the Dwelling Richly community:
www.Facebook.com/LMCCWomen
www.YouTube.com/c/JenniferRichmond
www.DwellingRichly.Podbean.com
on iTunes podcast at “Dwelling Richly”

Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 2 Write the Word

We live in a time when we click and swipe more than we put a pen to paper. It's faster and in a lot of ways easier to get on your phone or computer and click out your message. But, there is something uniquely meaningful and connecting in actually picking up a pen and writing on good ol' school paper. In the Bible God told the kings of Israel to personally write out their own copy of the Bible. Since a king could have easily commanded someone to make him a copy, this is pretty significant. Here's what God said:
 
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.
(Deuteronomy 17:18-20)
 
This is a powerful spiritual discipline that God set in place to keep kings reverent to God as well as the Word. Not only was the king commanded to write the Word, he was required to keep it handy and to read it daily. This came with a promise that the king and his descendants would prosper. I see in this a great spiritual discipline that we all could benefit by....and so, that's exactly what we do in the Dwelling Richly studies! Let's write Ephesians chapter two today!

Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 1

Welcome to Lesson Two!
It’s 60AD. You’re gathered with a friend and your family in a small house-church on the outskirts of the ancient city of Ephesus. It’s sundown and the oil lamps around the room are beginning to cast a warm glow up the walls. Across the room, your beloved grandmother moves slowly, her long shadow moving as she stands and clears her throat. “...Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God...” your grandmother begins speaking and the group quiets down.
 You are hearing the letter of a man named Paul being read aloud. You grew up in a family that worshipped Artemis – the fertility goddess whose temple has been the center of your life for the past 20 years. Just a month ago, you heard the name Yeshua HaMashiac (Jesus the Messiah) for the first time, and you and your entire family left their idol worship and began to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. You’ve had a peace like never before, but you’ve also had questions.
 Now, hearing the opening of this letter from this famous teacher – a man you’ve never met but have only heard of his dramatic conversion from a Christian-murdering, Jew to a Christ-following missionary for The Way – you are amazed. Like him, you and your family left their former life behind. Like him, you are being ridiculed, even hated by your friends. Now, these words are ringing in your ears and buzzing joyfully in your heart...
 I was chosen?
I’m adopted? I’m a saint...a faithful saint?
I have blessings that have been lavished on me?
A man that I don’t even know is praying that the eyes of my heart would be opened to understand all this even more? Wow. Wow!
 You can hardly take it all in. Distracted for a moment by your own thoughts you bring yourself back and continue listening to Paul’s letter.
 Your grandmother, once a leader in the temple for Artemis right in the center of Ephesus, is now reading with more boldness. As her gentle, familiar voice is reading these words, you are feeling the life and power in them. These aren’t the chants you are used to hearing. These words are not the pagan songs you are used to hearing. They have joy and truth in them...
 “...God put all things under His feet...” – You can picture the enormous stone feet of Artemis and imagine the feet of the one true God in Christ Jesus crushing that idol, setting you free, and filling you “all in all” just like the words your grandmother is reading...
 These aren’t lifeless words of praise to a man-made goddess...you can feel the difference. You know you have been changed ever since you heard and accepted the good news. You’re so proud of your grandparents for risking so much and leading your family in this way. What is next? You listen on and wait for more truth to wash over you...
 Then Grandmother pauses, she seems emotional – which isn’t unusual for her these days. The joy in her is overflowing all the time either in laughter or tears of happiness and sighs of peace...but she pauses, breathes deeply and begins the next part of this letter. You can hear the words catch in her throat and you begin to well up with tears as she speaks them, your eyes watery but fixed on her loving face...
 “...and you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked...”
 Oh, the truth in those words! The tears that have been pooling in your eyes, spill down your warm cheeks. You wipe them away. Grandmother looks up, smiles knowingly at you, and continues...
Download Ephesians Lesson Two at www.LaMiradaChurch.com
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Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 10 (Eph. 1:1-23)

"Super Blessed, but wait! There's more!" Today's podcast is a look back over Ephesians Lesson One. You'll be blessed! There's much to learn in Ephesians. What If we lived what we learned, believe, share and stood in awe of God? How would we be different if we lived in the resurrection power? We were made for more. More than the world says and more than we can imagine. We can live in the greatness of God's glory. Facts are not enough the heart has to be enlightened. Let's pray that for each other. Join us in hearing the truth of God's word. Let that truth empower you from the inside out.

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 9 (Eph. 1:15-23)

I finally got my favorite coffee back! I've been out of it for nearly two weeks! *gasp!* I know, right? Well, I usually just order it from Amazon, buuuuuuut it's been "unavailable" - What is going on in the world!!! - Anywhooo...I finally realized I could just drive over to my local little Coffee Bean shop and pick some up. I headed over there the other day and, honestly, on the way I was like, "Maybe it's not just Amazon, maybe everyone is out of my favorite coffee!" *panic!* Long story short...they had my coffee. I get these great little pods of the Italian espresso blend for my CBTL machine - it's like a Keurig only waaaaaay better coffee. I think I can approach God in a bit of the same way. I get bummed and live without embracing the power of God in my life. I get focused on what I'm dealing with and instead of just breathing deeply, pausing and remember how easily accessible His power is in my life, I go about trying to find strength in less effective ways. We've been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing! We have the wisdom and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit right in us! That's a great truth to remember! I hope you know that if as you’re reading and studying along with me in these Bible studies, I’ve been praying for you the same pray of Paul! What about you? Who could you be praying for today - right now - even as you are completing this study? Why not reach out to a prayer partner and friend and commit to “not cease to give thanks” and remember that person in your prayers. Let the desire of Paul’s heart and prayers be a model to all of us in our own prayers today. What a transformation we would experience if we’d all faithfully pray this for one another! For us to know who we really are we must know our origins, right? Paul reminds us that if you want to know who you are you don’t start with yourself, you start with your father, your origin, where you came from. I’m praying for you as well. I want you strong in your faith but it’s not about peeling back who you are to be stronger...it’s about digging in to who God is. We need to know who God the Father is so we can know ourselves. Our identity is tied to His. This is why we don’t just read the Bible, we love it and know it so we can love and know God and ourselves better.
Download the study here: www.LaMiradaChurch.com

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 8 (Eph. 1:15-23)

In a way, flying on an airplane is like our walk with Christ. We can zoom across the nation, cross the sea, go anywhere in just a few hours because of the power of an airplane. Here’s the deal though, we have to trust the plane enough to get on board and let it carry us. In the same way, living in the power of God can enable us to live a truly astounding life even in the face of incredible trial and stress. How can we really live in joy, victory, obedience and commitment if we are not relying upon the power of the Spirit that we have in Christ? Does it thrill you to think that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in you? It doesn’t always thrill me - just being honest. I know I have that power, but I don’t continuously live with the truth of that power present in my mind. I’m too often stumbling in my sin, living in weakness, tripped up by my selfish thought life...instead I want to not just know “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” I want to step aboard and let it enable me to fly – to soar in His power “above all rule and authority and power and dominion.” What a great reminder for me – for us all - today!
Join the Dwelling Richly study with Jennifer at La Mirada Christian Church women's ministry. You can join "Live or Later." ...Live at 7am at www.facebook.com/lmccwomen ...Later any time at www.YouTube.com/c/jenniferrichmond or the Dwelling Richly podcast on any podcast app. Be sure to subscribe for updates and leave a comment.

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 7 (Eph. 1:3-14)

We were chosen by God to become His children before the world began. Being a child of God has nothing to do with where we were born, how good we are, or what we can do for God, it’s all about God choosing to love before the foundation of the world. One of the great mysteries in understanding our faith is how God could choose us from before the foundation of the world and how we could still have a choice in the matter. The famous Bible teacher Donald Barnhouse gave this great picture that helps us see this truth. Imagine a cross like the one on which Jesus died, only so large that it had a door in it. Over the door were these words from Revelation: “Whosoever will may come.” These words represent the free offer of the gospel – the “word of twww.facebook.com/lmccwomenruth” that the Ephesians “heard and believed”. Everyone is invited to believe in Jesus Christ and receive the gift of eternal life. Here’s what’s interesting...On the other side of the door, anyone glancing back can see these words from Ephesians written above the door: “Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.” That we who believe have been chosen is a doctrine called “election” and it is best understood in when we look back. When we make a decision for Christ, we find that God made a decision for us before time began.
Join the Dwelling Richly study with Jennifer at La Mirada Christian Church women's ministry. You can join "Live or Later." ...Live at 7am at www.facebook.com/lmccwomen ...Later any time at www.YouTube.com/c/jenniferrichmond or the Dwelling Richly podcast on any podcast app. Be sure to subscribe for updates and leave a comment.

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 6 (1:3-14)

I think it was the Oprah show back in the early 80’s when I saw my first “Before/After” show. It was so unbelievable and exciting to see this shy, frumpy, lady, transformed by a great haircut, a fabulous outfit and glamorous make-up into a confident, happy, woman – like she was all new from the inside out. Her family so thrilled for her, her friends amazed, and the audience of complete strangers clapping and cheering and gasping with wonder and enthusiasm – like if a woman like that could get such a miraculous transformation, anything is possible! I can’t help but feel the same when I read these verses in Ephesians. To think that the powerful words apply to me...chosen, blessed, adopted, redeemed, receiving an inheritance, united in Christ...wow. But the joy of these truths is only made if I know the alternative – that without Christ I’m lost, without hope, on my own, not part of the kingdom family. The beauty and power of the “after” is only because of what could have been in the “before.” Thank God that I have been blessed “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Those blessings are secure, far out of reach of any power on earth to take them away and that’s where my true joy and security is found! Amen! Join "Weekdays in the Word" with Jennifer and the Dwelling Richly Bible study at La Mirada Christian Church women's ministry. You can join "Live or Later." ...Live at 7am at www.facebook.com/lmccwomen ...Later any time at www.YouTube.com/c/jenniferrichmond or the Dwelling Richly podcast on any podcast app. Be sure to subscribe for updates and leave a comment.

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 5

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Have you ever wished you could be God? I mean, you saw a problem, a challenge, an issue and you wished you could just be like God and step in and fix it. Really, what would you be like as God? I think we want to be like God because we have a sense that things aren’t right here. They don’t make sense or they are truly just evil and we know it could be better. But imagine that God wasn’t good. God just was. How different would the world be if God was neither good nor bad. Imagine a God who stayed out of things. You’ve just imagined what deists believe. Deism is the belief that there is a god but he/she isn’t involved in our lives. The God of deism is like a clockmaker who wound up the clock and just let it go. But this is not at all what we read in the Bible. God our Father did something besides get this all going...He got involved. He made us and didn’t stop there...He blessed us and didn’t stop there...He blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and not just any ol’ earthly blessing...blessings that are in the heavenly places! That’s a great God, a good God, and how could we do anything but sing to the praise of His glory! Join "Weekdays in the Word" with Jennifer and the Dwelling Richly Bible study at La Mirada Christian Church women's ministry. You can join "Live or Later." ...Live at 7am at www.facebook.com/lmccwomen ...Later any time at www.YouTube.com/c/jenniferrichmond or the Dwelling Richly podcast on any podcast app. Be sure to subscribe for updates and leave a comment. #lmccwomen #womensministry #biblestudy