SAT JUL 01 – God’s Wonderful Plan

Read for This Week’s Study

Ephesians 1:3-14

KJV ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; ⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: ¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. ¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. CEV ³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! ⁴ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. ⁵ God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. ⁶ God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. ^7-8 Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God's gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding, ⁹ and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. ¹⁰ Then when the time is right, God will do all he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth. ¹¹ God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us. ¹² He did this so we Jews would bring honor to him and be the first ones to have hope because of him. ¹³ Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show you belong to God. ¹⁴ The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.

Ephesians 2:6

KJV ⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: CEV ⁶ God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven.

Ephesians 3:10

KJV ¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, CEV ¹⁰ Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.

Colossians 1:13-14

KJV ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: ¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: CEV ¹³ God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴ who forgives our sins and sets us free.

Deuteronomy 9:29

KJV ²⁹ Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm. CEV ²⁹ But you, our Lord, chose the people of Israel to be your own, and with your mighty power you rescued them from Egypt.

Memory Text

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” – (ESV) Ephesians 1:3

KJV ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: CEV ³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven!

After 25 years of being the first person to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong wrote a nice letter to the people who made his spacesuit. He thanked them for designing a strong and reliable suit that protected his life during the historic moonwalk. He called the spacesuit the most famous one because it was in many pictures, and he joked that it hid his appearance. Armstrong sent them a big thank you for their hard work and congratulated them on their success.

In another story, a man named Paul wrote a special letter to a group of people called the Ephesians. He started the letter by saying thank you to God for all the good things He gave them. Paul said that these blessings from God are very important, just like a spacesuit is important for someone walking on the moon. He believed that God has been working on these blessings for a very long time, even before the world was made. Paul was happy and praised God for taking care of believers throughout history.

This letter from Paul is a great example of how to show love and respect to God. It teaches us to appreciate and thank God for all the good things He gives us.

SUN JUL 02 – God Accepts Us Because of Jesus

A thank-you note usually talks about the gifts someone received. In the book of Ephesians, Paul thanks God for the blessings of the gospel and lists them in a long passage.

Paul praises God because He has given us every spiritual blessing through Christ. These blessings come from the Holy Spirit, who is celebrated at the end of Paul’s blessing. The term “spiritual” means they come from the Spirit.

In Ephesians 1:3-6

KJV ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. CEV ³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! ⁴ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. ⁵ God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. ⁶ God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.
, Paul talks about how God sees us in Christ. Even before the world was created, God chose us to be holy and blameless in His presence. We are treasured sons and daughters because of Creation and Redemption in Christ. God’s plan is for us to be saved, and we only lose salvation if we make sinful choices.

The phrase “in the heavenly places” in Ephesians refers to heaven as the dwelling place of God. It also refers to where spiritual powers are and where Christ is exalted. Believers have access to these heavenly places now and receive spiritual blessings through Christ. However, these heavenly places are also the location of conflict with evil powers that oppose Christ’s authority.

Think about Ephesians 1:4

KJV ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: CEV ⁴ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.
, which says that we were chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world.” This means that God loved us and wanted us to be saved even before the world existed.

MON JUL 03 – The Cost of Forgiveness

In the past, the people Paul was talking to were controlled by bad things they did. They were like zombies, not really alive, doing what Satan wanted them to do. They were trapped and couldn’t free themselves. But God came to their rescue through Jesus, and now they have two special things: redemption and forgiveness.

Redemption means being set free from something bad. It’s like when someone buys a slave’s freedom or pays to free a prisoner. In the Bible, redemption shows how valuable and costly it is to set people free.

Our freedom cost a lot too. Jesus shed his blood to make it possible. But it also shows how generous God is because He paid such a high price for our freedom. We’re not slaves anymore!

Being redeemed means we are treated like people, not things. We become citizens of heaven instead of being controlled by earthly things.

It’s important to know that God doesn’t owe anything to Satan. That’s just an old idea from a long time ago.

Another good thing we have because of Jesus is forgiveness. He took the punishment for our sins on the cross, both the ones we did in the past and the ones we’ll do in the future. It’s like canceling a big debt we owed. When God forgives us, He’s like a loving and generous father who gives us so much.

So, it means a lot that because of what Jesus did, we can be forgiven and set free. Even if we feel unworthy, that’s the whole point of Jesus dying on the cross. We don’t deserve it, but God loves us so much that He offers us forgiveness and a new start.

TUE JUL 04 – God’s Wonderful Plan

God has a plan for everything that will happen in the future. It’s a very big plan! The plan is to bring everything and everyone together through Jesus. It’s like adding up all the numbers in a column and putting the total at the top. Jesus is at the top of God’s plan (Ephesians 1:9-10

KJV ⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: CEV ⁹ and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. ¹⁰ Then when the time is right, God will do all he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
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God made this plan even before He created the earth and sky. His plan will last forever, so you can see how big it is! (Ephesians 1:4

KJV ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: CEV ⁴ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.
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God’s plan to save us is all about Jesus. Jesus died on the cross, came back to life, went to heaven, and is honored in front of the angels. God’s plan also includes starting the church on earth. The church helps bring people together, both Jews and non-Jews (Ephesians 1:15-23

KJV ¹⁵ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, ¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. CEV ¹⁵ I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people. ¹⁶ So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. ¹⁸ My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people. ¹⁹ I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used ²⁰ when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. ²¹ There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. ²² God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. ²³ The church is the body of Christ and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.
Ephesians 2:1-10

KJV ¹ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: ³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; ) ⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. CEV ¹ In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. ² You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God. ³ Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else. ^4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God's gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. ⁶ God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. ⁷ God did this so in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. ⁸ You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. ⁹ It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. ¹⁰ God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.
Ephesians 2:11-22

KJV ¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; ¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; ¹⁶ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: ¹⁷ And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. ¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. CEV ¹¹ Don't forget that you are Gentiles. In fact, you used to be called “uncircumcised” by those who take pride in being circumcised. ¹² At that time you did not know about Christ. You were foreigners to the people of Israel, and you had no part in the promises God had made to them. You were living in this world without hope and without God, ¹³ and you were far from God. But Christ offered his life's blood as a sacrifice and brought you near God. ¹⁴ Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Christ gave his own body ¹⁵ to destroy the Law of Moses with all its rules and commands. He even brought Jews and Gentiles together as though we were only one person, when he united us in peace. ¹⁶ On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other. He also made peace between us and God by uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body. ¹⁷ Christ came and preached peace to you Gentiles, who were far from God, and peace to us Jews, who were near God. ¹⁸ And because of Christ, all of us can come to the Father by the same Spirit. ¹⁹ You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. ²⁰ You are like a building with the apostles and prophets as the foundation and with Christ as the most important stone. ²¹ Christ is the one who holds the building together and makes it grow into a holy temple for the Lord. ²² And you are part of that building Christ has built as a place for God's own Spirit to live.
Ephesians 3:1-13

KJV ¹ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: ¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹ According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: ¹² In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. ¹³ Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. CEV ¹ Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so I could help you Gentiles. ² You have surely heard about God's gift of undeserved grace in choosing me to help you. ³ In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. ⁴ As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. ⁵ No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ And the mystery is this: Because of Christ Jesus, the good news has given the Gentiles a share in the promises God gave to the Jews. God has also let the Gentiles be part of the same body. ⁷ God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news. ⁸ I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured. ⁹ God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. ¹⁰ Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom. ¹¹ God did this according to his eternal plan. And he was able to do what he had planned because of all Christ Jesus our Lord had done. ¹² Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so we can come to God by faith. ¹³ This is why you should not be discouraged when I suffer for you. After all, it will bring honor to you.
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The church shows that God’s plan is working and that Satan’s kingdom will end. Satan is the bad guy, and the Bible tells us that his time is short. So, the church is like an army that works together to bring peace on earth in Jesus’ name (Ephesians 3:10

KJV ¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, CEV ¹⁰ Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.
, Revelation 12:12

KJV ¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. CEV ¹² “The heavens should rejoice, together with everyone who lives there. But pity the earth and the sea, because the devil was thrown down to the earth. He knows his time is short, and he is very angry.”
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You can celebrate the mercy and forgiveness that Jesus gives you. It’s amazing to know that God’s mercy and forgiveness are part of His big plan. They are part of His plan to save people from sin and bring everything and everyone together in peace and agreement through Jesus (Ephesians 6:10-20

KJV ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. CEV ¹⁰ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹ Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. ¹² We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³ So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵ Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶ Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit. ¹⁸ Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. ¹⁹ Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. ²⁰ I was sent to do this work, and this is the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
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WED JUL 05 – Living in Praise of His Glory

In simple words, the Bible verse from Ephesians 1:11-12

KJV ¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. CEV ¹¹ God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us. ¹² He did this so we Jews would bring honor to him and be the first ones to have hope because of him.
means that as believers in Jesus, we have received a special gift from God. This gift is like an inheritance that we have been predestined to receive. It’s part of God’s plan and purpose for our lives, and everything happens according to His will. The purpose of this gift is to bring praise and glory to God.

In the city of Ephesus where these believers lived, some of them were feeling discouraged and unsure about their identity as Christians. They were feeling like things were happening randomly, and they were victims of different powers. But the apostle Paul wanted to remind them of who they really are. He had already explained earlier that they are God’s children and have access to many blessings through Jesus.

Paul wanted them to understand that their lives have a special meaning and purpose. God has a plan for each one of them, and He is working it out in their lives. God’s bigger plan is to unite everything in Christ. So, they can be confident in their relationship with God and in the blessings He gives them. Their lives should reflect the joy and thankfulness of knowing God’s goodness.

In Ephesians 1:11

KJV ¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: CEV ¹¹ God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us.
, Ephesians 1:14

KJV ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. CEV ¹⁴ The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.
, Ephesians 1:18

KJV ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, CEV ¹⁸ My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people.
, Paul talks about the idea of “inheritance.” An inheritance is something valuable that you receive as a gift when someone passes away. Just like we might receive money or treasures from a relative who has died, as believers in Jesus, we have received an inheritance from God because of Jesus’ death. We have become God’s special possession, His inheritance.

In the Old Testament, God’s people are sometimes referred to as His “inheritance.” It means they belong to God and are precious to Him. Paul uses this idea to help believers understand their worth to God. They not only receive an inheritance from God, but they themselves are God’s inheritance.

The difference between working to get something and inheriting it is that when you work for something, you have to do things to earn it. But when you inherit something, it is given to you as a gift because of your relationship with someone. In the same way, we don’t have to work to earn God’s love and blessings. We receive them as a gift because we are part of God’s family through Jesus. It helps us understand that everything we have in Jesus is a wonderful gift from God that we don’t deserve, but He gives it to us because He loves us.

THU JUL 06 – What the Holy Spirit Does for Us

In the Bible, Ephesians 1:13-14

KJV ¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. CEV ¹³ Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show you belong to God. ¹⁴ The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.
tells a story about how people become followers of Jesus. It goes like this:

First, someone learns about Jesus and decides to believe in Him. They give their life to Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. At that moment, something special happens. The Holy Spirit comes into their life and stays with them forever. It's like a seal that marks them as belonging to God. The Holy Spirit is God's promise to protect them and take care of them.

The Holy Spirit is also like a guarantee. It’s a sign that there’s something even more amazing waiting for believers in the future. It’s like getting a down payment on a big gift. The Holy Spirit is just the beginning of the wonderful things that God has planned for those who believe in Jesus.

So, the story in Ephesians 1:13-14

KJV ¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. CEV ¹³ Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show you belong to God. ¹⁴ The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.
is about people hearing about Jesus, believing in Him, and receiving the Holy Spirit as a special seal and guarantee of their relationship with God. It’s a reminder that we should be grateful for what we have in Jesus and be ready for the even greater things to come when Jesus returns.