Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10, Ephesians 4:1-6, Genesis 6:5-7, Lamentations 3:22-24, John 4:1-15, Romans 5:12-17
This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Gospels and Acts into the Pauline Epistles.
The Book of Ephesians: In this letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul called the Ephesian believers to unity in Jesus because of the gift of salvation they had received. He wrote that this unity is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
How Ephesians Fits into the Story: Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an anthem to the grace of God displayed toward sinners in Christ. It contains some of the worst and best news in all of Scripture: We were once spiritually dead because of sin, but God made us alive through Christ. Because of this grace and the gift of salvation, we are called to live righteous lives.
Reflection Questions:
1. Read Ephesians 2:1–6 again. According to verses 1–3, what were the conditions of our old life? According to verses 4–6, what are the conditions of our new life?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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121 thoughts on "Ephesians"
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Reflection Questions:
1. Read Ephesians 2:1–6 again. According to verses 1–3, what were the conditions of our old life?
According to the ruler of the power of the air we were dead in our trespasses. Children under wrath. Living in our fleshly desires.
According to verses 4–6, what are the conditions of our new life? Because of God’s rich mercy, we were made alive in Jesus even though we were dead. We are saved by grace. God also raised us up to seat us with Jesus in heaven.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
We are saved through mercy and grace.
I loved this quote about sin lately. I’ve never looked at it this way. “Sin is unwillingness to trust that what God wants for me is only my deepest happiness.” – St. Ignatius
We were dead in sin, but have been made alive in Jesus!!
Old Life: Lifeless; trapped and dead to our sin
New Life: Alive in Christ; hope
The other day, I was browsing the internet and stumbled upon something insightful about things Jesus NEVER said. It highlighted how common cultural sayings often lead people astray. Many of us who are caught up in these worldly ideas simply don’t know the truth, and it’s the truth of GOD that sets us free.
It’s time to replace the “philosophies” of culture with the truth of God’s Word:
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Culture says: “Be true to yourself.” God says: “Deny yourself.” (Matthew 16:24)
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Culture says: “You only live once (YOLO).” God says: “We live for eternity—either in heaven or hell.” (John 3:16, Matthew 25:46)
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Culture says: “I am enough.” God says: “My grace is enough for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
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Culture says: “Follow your heart”. Jesus says: “Follow Me.” (Matthew 4:19)
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Culture says: “Follow your dreams.” Jesus says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
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Culture says : “Speak your truth”. God says, “Sanctify them by the truth, Your Word is truth” (John 17:17)
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The deceptive lies of this world, crafted by the enemy, lead us into disobedience of God’s Words and fuel our fleshly desires and worldly mindsets (can be very inspirational). As Scripture reminds us, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…'(Ephesians 2:1-2). But now, we are alive in Christ.
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May we stand firm and never again allow Satan’s traps to entangle us in the slavery of sin.
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Prayers lifted up
MELISSA VANDIVER- praying for good sleep and your anxiety attack to be gone.
REBECCA W- for your son Brett’s job interview and his continued sobriety and total freedom from bondage.
DANIELLE B- for a good report on your MRI scan.
SHARON JG- amazing song today, thank you!
SEARCHING- praying everything is okay sister, miss you❤️.
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I hope you all have a beautiful weekend. Be blessed dear sisters.
Thanks for sharing those, Mercy!Some of the scariest statements out there inforcing “positivity” instead of the Truth. Well done, sis! ❤
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I miss Searching’s daily nuggets, too! ❤❤❤
So we’ll said and put, Mercy, thank you..❤️
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Thank you for sharing Mercy. Praying you have a beautiful weekend as well.
That’s good, Mercy, thanks for sharing. It makes me think of the things believers even think God said, like, “ God helps those who help themselves.”
Dear she’s, I’m here daily and have been for years, but rarely comment. Today I’m asking for prayer for my husband Tom. We are in Oregon for a granddaughters wedding, which he officiated and went well. He woke me up with severe chest pain and is in intensive care with a heart attack. They did 4 stents on one side and couldn’t so the other side. They said his heart is very weak. We are with family, but a long ways from home.(Texas). The next 8 hours are the most critical.Thank you!
Praying Susan! My God’s presence provide you comfort in this moment!
Praying❤️
Praying right now, Susan.
Praying for Tom that all be well. Oh my goodness.
Praying for Tom! And all of you!
Praying Susan! I love that Sister Mari V saw this and texted to me!! She knows the power of prayer and when 2 or 3 gather and lift up!!
Oh, Susan, how scary for all of you! Thank you for sharing this need. Praying with our sisters for Tom and the medical team, and for peace for you in the waiting. ❤ Please keep us posted!
Praying for a divine protection and intervention in Jesus name.
Praying Susan..❤️
Praying for you Susan and your husband Tom. I live in the Portland area and if you are close and there is anything I could do I would be happy to help.
Praying dear Susan for Tom’s heart and that God’s strength is with you.
Praying now, Susan
Raising up prayers for your precious husband Tom! May God strengthen his heart and completely heal him! Praying for strength and peace for you, precious sister!
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Oh my goodness! Just now seeing this request, but praying for Tom and for you and your family. ❤️
Just seeing this as well but will be praying for your husband and for peace for you!
Dead in our trespasses and sin. Walking in the ways of the world.
Alive in Christ. Saved by grace. This is God’s gift.
YES Amen!! I would reply to ALL the great comments, but after each reply, I still get kicked back out to the study, and have to go back to a comment! I have tried to reply to mutiple at a time, but doesn’t work! But…Anyway
Great comments everyone. So convicting..love SRT studies!! (and this is the second time for this one, I remembered it was one of my favorites after the first time!
Amen Traci..❤️
Before Christ we were dead in our sins! Years ago there was a book written titled “Dead Man Walking”. It was the story of a man on death row for committing murder. That was all of us before Christ! As the song King Of Kings says, “In the darkness we were waiting without hope, without light”. We followed the senseless, ways of the world, we were disobedient, gratifying our fleshly cravings. This all sounds so disgusting!… But God! Because He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for our sins – because of His great love for us and because He is rich in mercy. The song King of Kings further states,
“‘Til from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake you died
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Praise God, Praise God, Praise God! He did not leave us dead in our sins! We are so undeserving yet so lavished upon with His love.
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Saved
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By grace
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Through Faith
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It is the gift of God
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Happy Friday She’s. ❤️
Sharon,
Your comment reminded me of this song. Ican’t believe I didn’t think of it earlier!
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Jeremy Camp – Dead Man Walking
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Intrigued by Ephesians 2:6 today. In the past I have just kind of plowed right through that verse- not today!
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This is a snippet from the article on gotquestions.org.:
“Physically, we still live in the natural world. But God, by His great power, and because of His immense love, mercy, and grace, raised us from our spiritually dead status to new life in Christ. We now sit in heavenly places.
To sit in heavenly places is more than a figure of speech. It is a spiritual reality for the believer. Because of our union with Christ, we reap the benefit of His position of divine authority (see Psalm 110:1; cf. Acts 2:34–35). He is our Head and our Representative. Peter taught, ‘Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority’ (1 Peter 3:22, NLT; see also Philippians 2:9–11). The gates of hell will not overcome the church (Matthew 16:18; see also 1 John 2:13) because we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37; see also 1 John 5:4–5) who gives us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).”
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SONG SHARE:
JESUS HAVE IT ALL – LIVE IN THE PRAYER ROOM | JEREMY RIDDLE
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Love, hugs, and prayers! Please pray for a friend who is at ER with serious symptoms. Thank you! ❤
So good! And that song…was my nightly prayer for the last 6 months or so…love it!
❤ I can see why!
Thanks for sharing Cee Gee – Got Questions is a favorite site that I frequent!
Ditto! ❤
Yes, got questions is so helpful!
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Lifting your friend up in prayer, Cee Gee..❤️
❤ thanks, sister! ❤
UPDATE ON PRAYER REQUEST: Friend not admitted to hospital. Thanks again for praying! ❤
Thank you Lord Jesus!
We were dead in our sins following our passions, and ultimately, following the world’s culture which is lead by Satan.
But now, we are alive in Christ, following Him, and created for good works He has created for us to do! We are redeemed! Jesus paid the price for our sin and God in His great love for us, created this plan. Why, because his love and mercy never come to an end.
Praying for all!
Yes, when we finally Get It, we Get IT!! Praise God, for open eyes and understanding, and sanctification…We have been sanctified, we are being sanctified, and will be sanctified in Christ! That should bring visible transformation!!
Never ending love and mercy – Amen and Amen!
Amen, Cheryl ❤️
I was a dead woman, walking, dead in my trespasses, and sins, without hope. Now because of God‘s great love and grace I was made alive in Christ. I am raised with him and seated with him in the heavens.. I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared for me ahead of time to do. I am praying that I will walk worthy of the calling I received. His mercies, never end, hallelujah.
I feel intimately familiar with all the verses read today. Eph. 2:1-6 Living in, and living out sinful desires has been the nature of mankind since.the beginning. The passage from Genesis was a good example to pair with Eph.2:1-3.
Then along comes Eph 2:4 and everything shifts! “But God”! 2 words that Tina has taught many of us to love, find hope and rejoice in!
Lamentations reminds us to rely on The steadfast love of the Lord and his unending mercies.. Not in our own efforts or reputations..
The small Christian school that first my husband and then my children attended sang the Lamentations passage after every basketball game they played regardless of whether they won or lost. They still do 20 years later. It is a great testament of God’s unchanging grace and I always enjoyed singing along.
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BUT GOD.., Right?❤️
These verses today are a reason to celebrate. This is a resurrection story about us! We celebrate Easter but what about our resurrection?
Verse 1 of Ephesians says, “And you were dead in your sins…”
We were made alive in Christ!
Ephesians 2 verse 5-6 “made us alive in Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You were saved by grace.He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus.
We have a new identity! We have a new position. We are no no longer the living dead.
This is a transformative miracle. This is redemption. A new place in life, a new status, a a new identity. We are no longer who we used to be because of grace!
We have moved from the grave yard to a new place!
Thank you Jesus for this miracle!
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Genesis 6:6
The LORD regretted,
He wasn’t disappointed…
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HE REGRETTED!
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I want to use the word that means poo,I mean, regret to me, is a much harder form of disappointment! It evokes to my mind ‘ I should NEVER have done that or bothered..
And as if regret wasn’t enough HE GRIEVED!
HIS heart was broken from the actions, thoughts and doings of our ancestors.
My heart hurts that we can do that to our ever loving, has our best interest at heart Father God..
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Ephesians 2:1-3 tells us of the ‘Before Christ’ life that was lived, and lets face it, we still do live it..
Verse 4… tells us, (my heart leaps in joy for this).. indeed
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN,!
Who is rich, oh so rich in Mercy, Love,Grace and is our Hope. brought us back to life and gives us the opportunity to be alive again, with and through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Saved by Grace, I feel a song coming on, Cee Gee, are you with me.. I’m thinking Bill and Gloria Gaither ..
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A verse..
If you could see what i once was,
If you could go with me.
Back to where i started from,
Then I know you would see
A miracle of love that took me
In itssweet embrace
And made me what I am today,
Ja
just on old sinner saved by Grace.
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CHORUS..
I’m just a sinner saved by Grace
When I stood condemned to death,
He took my place.
Now I live and breathe in freedom
With each breathe of life I take,
Loved and forgiven, backed with a living,
I’m just a sinner saved by Grace..
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Nuff said..
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Amen.
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Happy Friday, my dears..❤️
Yes indeed, Tina, I am WITH YOU!!! ☺ What a powerful song to start off the weekend on good footing! I have not heard or sung that song in a long time. Thanks so much for sharing that today Glad you got your comment back, too! ☺☺❤❤
YESSS!!! Amen and Amen!! nuff said!! So good!!
Love that song by the Gaithers – I would play it over & over again on repeat!
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The Lord knew that after my last week of sleep and anxiety attack I had right before lifting up my Bible to read that “His mercies are new every morning “ was going to show up in our readings. I am trying to shift my mind frame and focus on what the Lord has done for me today rather than what I am lacking.
Prayers for you, Melissa ❤️
Sometimes I feel that it’s harder for the “good people” to see their need for the Lord than for those who are living in “the pig pen” (as Rhonda mentioned). I have been very involved in church my entire life and never really went through a wild period. God constantly reminds me that I am the worst of sinners, that I am totally saved by His grace, and I need to stop spiritually patting myself on the back. Can anyone relate to this?
I am praying for each of you and your needs, dear sisters. ❤️
Yes!! I, too, got saved at a young age and never really rebelled. Somewhere along the line I got the sense that God was really lucky to have me on his team. Praise the Lord, He used a discipleship program at a church to show me the pride and self-righteousness of my heart and my own desperate need for the gospel. So thankful!
I can totally relate! I often think of Paul when he says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” That’s me, the worst!
I remember in a Bible study a girl saying she felt sorry for those that didn’t grow up in church or with faith passed down from their parents. I felt she was looking down on others. That her place in church put her above. Although I was raised in the Catholic church, I didn’t feel a strong pull towards God until later in life. I told her that I was thankful that my faith came from God and not my parents.
Dear sisters, I come to you again asking for prayer for my son Brett. He has been sober for a month and has a job interview today. Please pray that it goes well as he desperately needs a job. And while you’re at it, prayer for him to seek the Lord with all his strength, mind and heart! Sending love and prayers to all of you!
Oh how hard that must be, praying for your son! I know as a mama how much you want them to succeed, and pray they find ultimate freedom from addiction. I will add him to my prayer list! Praying this could be the job that is for him and does great things for his motivation to stay alcohol free!
Praying for Brett as he interviews today, praying for his sobriety, and praying for him to come to Jesus! Praying for your mama heart too. ❤️
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Praying for Brett
Praying for Brett today. May God shine His favor on him and give him this job that he so much needs, and that he will seek God. ❤️
Will be praying, dear Rebecca!
Praying ❤️
Praying that the interview went well, that the his one month becomes two. then 3 and slowly he will, look back and see how far he has come, we know, by Gods grace. for now, prayerful that when the day comes Brett will realize he did not do it on his own, he had help.. his help came from the Lord.. ❤️
I was lost, now I am found.
The funny thing is, especially growing up in church, we don’t really see OURSELVES as sinners. We think it’s not me…it’s all the ones “out there!” Outside the church, non-attending friends and family, and acquaintances. I just grew up kinda assuming I was a good one. It didn’t really “click” that “I” WAS the lost..that I truly had to “get it” that I, even though I was comparably good, I can’t be enough ever with Jesus. Does that make sense..I knew, but my sin didn’t “Convict” me to really grieve me. Then in my 20’s I totally drifted away, unbeknownst even to myself, I was in the pig pen…I had mud and muck all over me. Yet, didn’t even realize it- for I was still proudly saying I was a Christian. This is where it’s sad, because we are saying something out of our mouth, but not living what we are saying. It’s confusing to non-followers. For if we believe- it should convict us to live differently…
Finally, for once, I really looked in the mirror and SAW all the mud on me. I saw my dirtyness. It really hits hard, that how had I not seen it. I am filthy rags, not because all I had done, but because I hadn’t acknowledged that I was a sinner…truly a sinner, cannot ever be right without wanting, and needing Jesus in a way that. It is the other son. I was half prodigal…leaving to blow my inheritance, and part son that thought I deserved more because I grew up in church and never thought I left.
Does any of this make sense? Usually I write, then after pushing enter Wendy B’s comment will be there that always sums up what I was trying to say in such perfection! lol
Hope ya’ll have a great Friday and a good wkd planned! :)
All the verses show that God has such a Fierce Love for all his creation and sent his son for us, to give us a way to be right! I love how much God loves us, and his mercies are NEW every morning! Every day we need to follow him, and die to ourselves, surrender…and let him be the center!
❤️ God’s Fierce Love. That phrase grabbed my heart and gave it a big hug.
I love it too!!
I love the song “Reckless Love” (and his explanation that he is, of course, not insulting God but that His Love is just….WOW!!
I was right there with you Rhonda – in the muck of the pig sty! After being raised in the church, accepting Christ and being baptized – I forsook it all to go my own way, far, far, way from Christ. But praise God He came for me and brought me back! Amen, Amen, Amen!
Amen, Sharon!
Didn’t really see ourselves as sinners… not me-it’s the ones “out there”…assuming I was the good one….
Same :(
Oh, if there were do-overs!
“Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin”!!!
Hi Linda! Good to see you here, hope you are feeling love and comfort in your loss of dear Gene.
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Summed up in one sentence! ❤️
Ahh, Linda, lovely to see you.
Prayerful your heart is knowing the peace of God as you continue to navigate life without your beloved Gene. Sending you love wrapped hugs and prayers..❤️
Smen
The readings today remind us that faith is a gift from God that he grants even though our human sins grieve him tremendously (Gen 6:6). Paul reminds us in Romans KJV 5:20 that it was true then and it’s true now: “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
I think reading the chapter in Genesis really helped me to reflect on how much grace God has! I wonder if He has days where similar thoughts consume His mind and yet, He remembers His covenant with Noah that He would never destroy mankind again. That is true grace & mercy!!
SO true! Great insight.
Praying for your peace and for good results for you Danielle ❤️
Good morning my fellow She’s. Asking for prayer this morning as I have my annual MRI this morning as my ongoing follow up for the tumor they removed last year. I’ve been calling on God that there be no more tumors and also asking for His peace and comfort during the test. It is an unnerving test. I’d appreciate all the prayers.
Joining the many here in prayer for you!
The Lord bless you with peace that surpasses your understanding this morning. May you have faith as you walk in those doors.
Praying Danielle!
Praying Danielle!
Prayers for you, Danielle, that the Lord be with you and calm your soul ❤️
Lifting you up, Danielle!
Praying, Danielle, for comfort during the test and for clear images. May God surround you today and keep you in His perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Praying for you Danielle. May God’s presence and peace be near and the MRI confirm that there has been continued complete healing and no evidence of cancer. ❤️
Praying for peace and comfort during your MRI and for “all clear” results, dear sister! ❤️
Praying for the Holy Spirit’s peace and comfort to surround you and for clear results!!❤️
Praying Danielle
Thank you all dear sisters. I can say I was able to get through the test with more peace. I appreciate the prayers for the test and clear results! I felt the comfort!
My appointment with my neurosurgeon is next Wednesday and I’ll find out what the mri means.
Will be praying, dear Danielle!
Praying for you Danielle – hope all went well! ❤️
Praying ❤️
Praying Danielle, and hopefilled your scan is as you hoped and the you were covered in His peace during the process. Much love to you..❤️
Praying for you Danielle!
The old life was spiritual death, BUT GOD brought me eternal life by His grace, through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice! (Whoop, whoop)
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Today’s reading frames the story of my redemption from the spiritual angle. From my conception I was dead in sin, only by God’s s grace was I birthed into life in the spirit and given “good works” to do for God’s glory.
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Praying for your requests as they are posted.
Before Christ, I was dead in my sin, enslaved to my fleshly passions and following the ways of the devil. Now, praise God, by His grace I am saved out of darkness, freed from the bonds of sin, and free now to live a God-honoring life through the power of the Holy Spirit! He has redeemed by life from the pit and given me everlasting, abundant life! May I always live and walk in that kingdom and freedom reality!
Me too. ❤️ Amen and Amen!
Amen❤️
And me! Amen! ❤️
I have just lost all i have written…
grrrr.
Happy Friday my loves.. it is well..❤️
:-<
Hope you have a grace-filled day
Boo :(
Sorry!
Oh, no! I hate that for you and us, sister! May the rest of your day be smile-worthy! ❤
And TODAY, the Scripture itself included one of the most important
“BUT GOD”s ever!!!!
Sorry, that can be quite challenging…grr
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