Ephesians Chapter 1

Tonight on MSN I worked through Chapter 1 of Ephesians with a friend.

Like I said in my last post; It's been a while since I've spent any real quality time with God, done my bible studies or even prayed. I made a pact with myself, not so much with God that I'd start doing a quiet time more regularly, and so I jumped at the chance to do this bible reading with a friend over MSN (I said at 9 after River City had finished - but that too is a lesson I've learned; God comes first in all situations.)

I don't think I'd ever read Ephesians before and this was evident after reading through chapter 1 and being ever so slightly...confused. I went back to the beginning acknowledging that I was going to spend this time with God and not cut corners. As a budding historian I find reading about biblical history really interesting and after finding out that Paul wrote this letter to the growing christian faith in Ephesus after 3 or so years of evangelism in the area in 60. A.D and that Ephesus then, is now Turkey; I felt I was beginning to understand the passage already!

Pauls letter to the Ephesians, particularly in Chapter 1 wasn't a letter of; this is what you should do, you're not doing this right etc, except, in my opinion it was a letter to highlight God's goodness and just how amazing he is and what he has done for us.

I know for me, this was a great refreshment to read and to understand; It made me feel that little bit more connected to God. I've not finished going through the verses I like but here are some just at the start of the chapter that I particularly enjoyed.
1:3 "Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms"
1:4 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world"
1:7 "In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in the accordance with the riches of God's grade 8 that lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding"

Just to be reminded of God's goodness and how much I need him in my life was a great way back into those special moments with God. I opened my sharing folder in intention to listen to one of the new Third days songs. I've been listening to Revelation for quite some time now as I particularly liked the tune, and subconsciously realised that I'd actually never really listened to the words before. The song stared and I listened to the words. The words were so finely tuned to how I have been feeling and just how far away from God i'd been feeling; and the endless road of sin and betrayal and farness. I don't know much about these spiritual moments but I reckon that I was meant to hear that song, and I reckon I was meant to tell my friend about it as it really spoke to her as well.

I'm not one for cheesyness at all but I feel really different about these whole quiet times with God and praying in particular.

I ended my quiet time with a prayer and I simply asked God to bring my back close to him and that I would have a faith again.

I really want to be close to my God and feel him working in my life, I don't want to pray and feel like I'm praying to walls because I'm not really commited. I want to believe in the impossible!

"I got nothing without you Lord"

P.s I don't care if this is CRINGEEEE!!


Andrew!