Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

“Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms.”  My mind seldom thinks about “heavenly realms.”  Yet that is where I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 

My thinking us usually on the things of this life so I find myself standing before this open door, the heavenly realms with amazement and wonder because that world is strange, but exceedingly appealing to me.  Paul, our dear brother in Jesus, encourages me and you, dear reader, to inherit the blessings of relating to Jesus in these realms, the heavenly ones!

We are being saved even if we do not pursue this promise of the heavenly realm.  However, we are the losers if we spend our lives entirely on that which is seen, on our human condition.  Why not enter, by faith, the heavenly realm?  After all, that is our destiny, why not enter now?

I note that our most precious blessings are there for us “in the heavenly realms.”  To fully appreciate that blessing, I need to experience it for myself.

Lord, open this door wide for me and give me the desire to enter. 

I enjoy Spring roses as a reminder of the power of life in its exhuberance.  This Fall beauty reminds me of the glory of maturation and determination.  Our roses have a second spell of blooms, smaller than the first just now before the frost.  Is this a glimpse into the ways of God?  I do believe it is.

The Daily Light this morning reminded me again of God’s love.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I Corinthians 10:13

At my age I like to be reminded of how glorious it is to be called a believer in Jesus.  I am many things – a husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague – but no relationship, wonderful as it is, can compare with my love for Jesus and his love for me.  In fact, Jesus casts a light on all relationships, making them even more meaningful.

For instance, this morning as Anna Ruth and prayed together, our hearts swelled with gratitude for the great love we know in the Lord.  So, even human love is hugely enriched by divine love that transports us into a divine relationship that is glorious indeed.

Having reflected on that, I am reminded of our journey that is certainly punctuated by temptations of one kind or another.  By no means am I free of temptation.  My selfish me-first love is there, in the background, ready to blare its demands. Does that mean the Lord does not love me?  Of course, not.  Jesus, in me, enables me to recognize and turn from temptation.  He requires of me only a willing spirit.

Further, I am reminded of the fact that Jesus who is in me, knows more about temptation than I do, by far, so his aid is precious beyond measure as He turns my heart away from temptation, toward Him

This is my reminder of the love of Jesus as we move into November.  Jesus is the way out, when I am tempted.

Grandpa Glenn and young Finn enjoy a moment together at our place before their trip to Brisbane, Australia.   Happy boy!!  And grateful father.  Glenn is scheduled to return home next week.  Jane is staying a month or so and will return when Zel and Dani, with Finn, join is for the Christmas holidays.

Wesley wrote this hymn to com­mem­o­rate the first an­ni­ver­sa­ry of his con­ver­sion to Christ, when he was about 32 years of age, 1739.  

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10

I am reluctant to move onto another book in the Bible; Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is so rich and instructive.  This is the last day in October, so I must press on, incorporating what I am learning from this letter to the brothers and sisters, of all stripes, in Ephesus, so that I can fulfil the purpose of my existence!

This amazing letter brings the presence of the Lord right into our lives, changing and remaking us – for as long as we live.  I am still experiencing this at my ripe old age of 89.  I cannot really judge myself, but I do believe that I am learning how to walk with Jesus more and more.  At least that is my fervent desire.

Like this “final” word. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  I am not strong in my own strength.  I am impressed as I grow older, how weak I am.  In my walk with the Lord, that is good news, because as I experience my weakness I am overwhelmed by God’s power in my life.  I cannot explain it, but it is true.  My desire is to know the power of the Lord Jesus in my life.

I enjoyed turning this cup or whatever, from wood that I inherited from a friend who has been dead these many years.  In a way, this is a memorial to him, George Lehman, adminisrator of Landis Homes since it was started.  If anyone can identify the wood, I would appreciate knowing.

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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22 – 24

Paul lifts up the main issue – what goes on in our minds, the attitude of your minds. That does not mean that what we do has no consequence, but that all action begins and ends with the mind.

Salvation includes, as I see it, a change of mind.  We do not come to Jesus for salvation, and then, having embraced it, go away and live like we always did, in the deceiving power of the flesh.

No!  Salvation includes denying the demands of the old self and putting on the new self, a gracious gift of God.  We cannot make ourselves new.  We repent, God makes us new.

God created this new self in us.  It is a self that is determined to live in true righteousness and holiness, something that the old self did not even understand much less obey.

Lord Jesus, continue your good work of nurturing your presence in my life.  Stay alive and active in me.  Renew my mind continually by the power of your blessed Holy Spirit.

We enjoy Grandma’s bread above all others!  Here she removes from the oven her usual 4 wonderful loaves!

In him we (the Jews, no doubt) 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 put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:11 – 14

Paul, the zealous Jew, at the apex of his raging hate against Jews who loved Jesus, met Jesus and was changed top to bottom, we say, inside out!  We know Paul’s story. He was not seeking Christ, that is for sure, but it is also sure that Christ was seeking Paul!  So, the initiative was in the hands of Jesus Christ, not Paul.  That is how I read this scripture of God’s call.  The call of God is strong and purposeful.  Paul was convinced of that because he experienced it.

Writing to believing Jews, Paul reminded them they are marked, as believers, with a blazing mark – those who experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God who moves believers into their inheritance, the redemption of those who are God’s possession.  In Christ they now belong to God!  Can there be a higher blessing?

Jews and Gentiles are saved by Jesus Christ, by the same Blood, the same Holy Spirit, the same human longing to know God and to walk with Him.   I think this is the core of the meaning of this wonderful letter to the Ephesians. May it be so in our hearts today.