The Dwelling Richly Podcast

Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 7

My dad used to say that Christians had two bellybuttons. As a child, I’d lift my shirt and check for mine, and he’d laugh and explain again. When the Pharisee Nicodemus snuck away at night to see Jesus, Jesus told him that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This is where my dad got the “two bellybuttons” idea. “You get your first bellybutton when you’re born from your mommy,” he’d remind me, “The second one is invisible, and you got that when you were born again in to Jesus’ family.” Before we were saved we were “children of wrath.” Now, we are “made alive in Christ” so we can walk “in a manner worthy of the Lord.” Our salvation is not the result of any of our efforts or acts of service we do. It’s true and important to remember that, as believers, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works”—to help and serve others. So, while there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, God’s will is that our salvation will result in being like Him – masterpiece makers. We are saved not merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church (Ephesians 4:12). In this way we are most like Christ. Our righteous acts do not produce salvation...not at all! Our good works are the evidence of our salvation (James 1:22; 2:14–26).
In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion produces nothing more than “filthy rags.” Instead of counting our good deeds as if we were placing chips on a scale to outweigh our bad, we should toss out the scale, thank God there is no scale, and that Jesus fulfilled all the requirements to be part of God’s family. It’s now up to us to accept that free gift of grace by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
This study is available to download for free at
www.LaMiradaChurch.com
Watch each daily lesson and join the Dwelling Richly community:
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Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 6

Today's is short lesson that really focuses and refocuses on one key point: It didn't have to be this way.
It didn’t have to be this way. God could have wound up the “clock” of human experience and existence in a sense, stood back, and let it go. But he stepped in. Why? Why does God come into our lives? Why does he change the essentials of our experience? Why did He make it possible that we could be “raised us up with Christ and made us sit together with him in heavenly places”? Well, He tells us! His answer is that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. In other words, God's purpose in doing all this is that he might have his own grace -- the glory of his character – made known for all to see. That through us who love Him would be a beautiful demonstration of the grace and the perfection of God's character. His glory will be seen in us -- especially as it is on display, says Paul, by his kindness toward us. This is what will make it stand out and be so meaningful to other people -- the evidence of the kindness of God toward us. The Enemy is literally Hell-bent on distorting that display. You can feel it because you constantly wrestle in your own head with thoughts of inadequacy, pride, anger, and more. But Christ came and demonstrated God’s love in action towards us, “in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” That is amazing grace. That is the free gift. That is the way it is – not a standoffish God watching as humanity winds down and out...an active, loving God who stepped in and gave us the gift of faith to receive His grace and to live victoriously in His love.
 
This study is available to download for free at
www.LaMiradaChurch.com
Watch each daily lesson and join the Dwelling Richly community:
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on iTunes podcast at “Dwelling Richly”

Ephesians Lesson 2/Day 5

I don’t’ think it’s possible to exaggerate how amazing it is that we were made alive in Christ. Any effort to try to be "religious" or "Christian" which isn’t rooted in understanding this truth is a counterfeit Christian life. It is "godliness" without God, "Christianity" without Christ, "spirituality" without the Spirit. And it can never accomplish anything except to turn people away. What Paul has outlined for us here, and this alone, is true Christianity. Anything else is wrong.  I know it doesn’t always feel very alive. But your feelings aren’t the reality. The power of God in us is like a farmer going out to sow his seed. The farmer scatters his seed, and then what? Jesus says he goes home and goes to bed -- rests just relaxes and lets the seed grow because that is the nature of seed. The farmer knows that if he sows the seed and lets it rest -- it must go through a certain process that takes time; no seed simply falls to the ground and springs up suddenly – voila! Life!. No, you must allow it to decay, to fall apart, and then out of that comes a new life – it grows slowly and steadily until finally the whole plant is grown. This is how God works in us and he wants us to understand that the result is certain and that we can rest patiently, knowing that he is working out his purposes. We have been made alive in Christ! Trust the process! Trust God through it all.

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
www.LaMiradaChurch.com
Watch each daily lesson and join the Dwelling Richly community:
www.Facebook.com/LMCCWomen
www.YouTube.com/c/JenniferRichmond
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on iTunes podcast at “Dwelling Richly”

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
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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!
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