The Dwelling Richly Podcast

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.
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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

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 4

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Am I a saint? I sure don’t feel like one – at least I don’t feel like what I imagine a saint is like. I’m often the opposite of saintly! If anyone flat out asked me if I was a saint or a sinner, I’d definitely say “sinner.” Actually, I’m a not very Christlike total mess of a sinner in constant need of a Savior – to be exact. But I read the Bible, and I read a different story. I read about these “saints” in Ephesus and while faithful, they weren’t perfect. I known I’m a sinner, not just because I blow it, I’m sinner because it is clear in the Bible that I am. Everyone is born in sin and all have a nature that sins with ease. But there’s some great and shocking news: I may have been born a sinner, but I have actually become – gasp! – a saint, a “holy one.” Sinners are born. Saints are reborn. They weren’t given a title of saint after they died because of their amazing life; they got the title because Jesus died and lived a perfectly amazing life. When I gave my life to Christ I didn’t just get a new nickname “Christian” I got a new nature! God, in His great mercy and grace, made the way for this sinner by birth to become a saint by rebirth! That’s amazing - amazing grace actually!! When I confessed my need for a Savior and accepted His solution for my sinful state – the sacrifice of Christ on the cross – I miraculously become a saint. Wow. Grace and peace to you as you read this today and may our God and Father bless you with the assurance of your new nature: Saint! Download the study at www.LaMiradaChurch.com on the Women's Ministries Bible study page and join the online community "Live or Later" ... Live weekdays at 7am Facebook.com/LMCCWomen ... Later any time on YouTube.com/c/jenniferrichmond or right here on the Dwelling Richly podcast

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 3

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Here's some background information about Ephesus at the time of Paul:
The worship of Artemis was a huge issue in Ephesus, so much so that Paul addresses women’s roles in the growing church when he later writes his second letter to Timothy. The great temple to Artemis was located in Ephesus, and the lives of the Ephesians centered around worshiping her. This temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Festivals in her honor involved orgies and all kinds of sexual immorality. You can read about his instruction to women in 2 Timothy chapter two. Keeping the context in mind of these pagan practices will help you understand otherwise difficult passages that appear to state that women cannot speak in church. The influence of the Artemis worship is at the center of much of Paul’s admonition to those reading his letters. Keep this in mind as you come across instructions for how women are to behave, and remember that Paul is addressing women and men who are coming from this pagan background and learning what it means to be followers of the Way of Christ.

Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 2 part 2

Let's continue studying Ephesians chapters 4-6
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Ephesians Lesson 1/Day 2 part 1

Read and think through Ephesians 1-3 with me
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Ephesians Intro and How to Study the Bible

Let's fly over Ephesians and also get some practical tips on how...and how not...to study the Bible.
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Ephesians Reading - Lesson 1/Day 1

Read through the letter of Paul to the Ephesians together with me today.
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Ephesians Introduction

This is the introduction to our Bible study through Ephesians. Let's get started! Download the study at www.LaMiradaChurch.com on the Women's Ministries Bible study page and join the online community "Live or Later"
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