The Book of Ephesians

Welcome and Good Morning!

God has been nudging me for quite some time to read the Book of Ephesians and this morning I finally got around to reading it. I've read the book before, but today it answered so many questions I have been chewing on for so long.
Why didn't I read it with the first nudge, you might be asking?
I'm asking that myself, but maybe I wasn't ready yet to hear what it had to say.
Maybe I needed to chew and stew for awhile to accept all I needed to hear with an open heart.
I heard it today. I'm rejoicing in the answers!
I can't remember where I read a story about a man who read Ephesians every day for a month. He said it gave him new insight in the book and made him able to really embrace the truth of the words and make them his own to live by. If I remember where I will share it with you. It was a great story.
I'm taking the challenge.
I'm going to read the Book of Ephesians every day for a month.
Anyone want to join me?

Another beautiful picture I took when I was home.

Gratitude

1. His word

2. Answered questions

3. You, my dear reader

Ephesians 3:17-18

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love,

may have power,

together with all the Lord's holy people,

to grasp how wide and long 

and high and deep

is the love of Christ.

Blessings,

Deborah

Challenge Day 6 - Ephesians 4:23

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Ephesians 4:23 NIV
"...to be made new in the attitude of your minds,"
KJV "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"
NKJV same as KJV
CJB "and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed,"
GNV "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind,"

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
"Or by the Spirit that is in your mind; that is, by the Holy Spirit; who is in the saints and is the author of renovation in them; and who is the reviver ad carrier on and finisher of that work and therefore that is called the renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Wow. Okay. Amen.

You can read the full commentary at this link:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/ephesians-4-23.html

You can find many commentaries on this passage, or any passage, by simply typing in "commentary on Ephesians 4:23 in your search browser.

If we take this verse and add it to what we have learned in Phil 4:8-9 and Colossians 3:15, we see we are being encouraged to keep practicing, so it eventually becomes a daily habit to keep God's word in our minds and heart.

Now let's put Ephesians 4:23 with 22 & 24 to get the whole picture.

22. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I am really enjoying looking up and studying these comparisons and commentaries. This is a new way for me to study. Even after this challenge ends I will continue with this mode of study. I am feeling enlightened in a new way. Thank you, Dana.

My prayer

Dearest Lord,
Thank you for my many blessings and help me practice your word daily until it becomes a natural habit my heart and mind follow. Renew in me a new spirit daily to live in unity with You and everyone. Amen.

Gratitude
1. Renewal
2. Study
3. A new day

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Picture found on Pinterest posted by Ali Clement.