Many messages we receive about the Bible are about what God is going to do. Many believe better days on earth are coming, so they wait. Others believe life on earth will always be painful so enduring until they get to heaven is best they can do, so they wait. But what about right now? What about the fulfilled prophecy we already possess to live in, not waiting for something better? What if our perspective changed and we saw this stunning creation God prepared for us to dwell so beautiful and magnificent, we can’t hardly take our eyes from it?

 Let’s look together at the Kingdom of God and realize our real citizenship is in the heavenly’s, it is now, and it is glorious!

 2 Corinthians 5:7

Colossians 1:6

Mark 9:1

My friend Mara went to heaven this week. It rocked our world, and our lives are still reeling from the pain.

Today we talk about heaven and what it might be like for those who have gone before us.

I think many are waiting for earth to be what heaven is like.

We think Jesus will rescue us from this crazy world and set up a perfect world.

Many people are living with their head in the clouds looking for Jesus to come back and save us from the evil in the world. We think He is going to make things perfect on this side of heaven.

But is that true? Are we expecting earth to be the reality and atmosphere of heaven, our eternal home? Could we be missing out on appreciating and enjoying what we already have, but don’t realize we are doing that? Are we living with the carrot dangling just out of reach and if we just push a little harder, we’ll get it?

Let’s ask some interesting questions that may lead us away from the traditional view of heaven and earth and see what the Lord wants to reveal to us about the new heaven and new earth.

Romans 6:23

John 3:1-16

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Am I in a battle? Do I need to learn how to fight the devil so I can win?  What do I need to understand so I can have the healthy relationships I hear and read about?

God knows we will have questions when it comes to relationships, and He has our answers. God begins with telling us the great love He has for us by giving us His Son and then He teaches us how to extend that love to others.  He knows seasons will be extremely difficult and running on emotions is easy to do especially if we don’t know truth. Today we are going to talk about truth and expose the devil for the liar that he is. We will wrap up Ephesians today and there is so much more to glean as Paul closes with more meat to chew on. I am so glad you pulled up a seat at the table.

Ephesians 6:13-24

Ephesians Workbook

Ephesians Introduction Video

God continues to show us His love in Christ by teaching on relationships. Simultaneously, God is telling us how much He loves us and how to have strong earthly relationships too. Nothing is more important than understanding God’s love for His children and today we gain deeper understanding into that.

God understands relationships can be difficult and He has not left us alone. He has provided all we need to fight and win. How? That is what we cover in today’s Grace at LAST podcast. I am so glad you joined in.

 Ephesians 6:1-12

Ephesians Workbook

Ephesians YouTube Video

Sometimes we are told walking with God is a list of "do’s" and “do not’s”. Some teach our true condition will be seen by our fruit. If we don’t understand what Paul is saying here, we can become a rule follower instead of being Spirit led. Ephesians 5 is full of so many truths that when applied to our lives, everything gets better, almost immediately. God tells us these things because He created us, marriage, the church, plan of salvation, and all creatures great and small. His ways work. If we want healthy relationships and are willing to trust God and what He has said, we can have the marriage and other relationships we never thought possible. Let’s learn together from the apostle Paul and implement these truths into our lives as the Spirit leads us. I believe we will see miracles and enjoy healthy relationships like never before.

Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:17-20

Ephesians 2:4-9

Ephesians 2:12-13

Ephesians 2:19

Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 5:15-33

Paul’s writings in Ephesians 5 can appear to be works. It has a lot of “do’s” and “don’ts” included in the writings. If we don’t have a grasp on what Paul is saying, we can become extremely judgmental. We can gauge spirituality by behavior and even condemn people and label them as not walking with the Lord because of their lifestyle. Lifestyle is very important, and Paul addresses that subject. After spending considerable time in chapters 1-3 telling us the change that has taken place in us, he tells us what life will look like. Remembering it always starts with who we are in Christ, our identity, not how we behave. When our character starts with our identity, we are authentic. God has some very enlightening insights in this portion of the letter, and we don’t want to miss a thing. Thanks for joining in today.

 Ephesians 5:1-14

Hebrews 10:11

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Relationships can be difficult and bring a dark cloud over our lives if they are unhealthy. We can desire good healthy relationships, and yet find ourselves in difficult and challenging ones instead. Guilt and shame can settle in, and we might not know where to turn for answers. Paul has a lot to say about that in this portion of his letter to the Ephesians. Today, we may find ourselves in the same place, or possibly someone we know. We can learn so much from what Paul has to say and when we believe it and choose this path, life gets better, and better, and better. Let see what Paul’s advice is to these believers that he was so fond of with love and devotion. There is so much to learn that we can believe and live in our own lives today, as Paul shares some beautiful truths with us so we can have the relationships our heart desires. 

Ephesians 4:17-32

Ephesians 4:1-2

Ephesians - 6 Week Workbook

Ephesians - YouTube Video Teachings

Ephesians 4 is a pivotal point in Paul’s letter. If taken out of context, we can be led astray and deceived. We may think God expects things from us that is not true at all.

Understanding the church and what God intended when He made us new creatures in Christ, will drastically change everything. Far too long we have been told it is about works and sacrifice for God when the truth is, it is Jesus’ works and sacrifice that makes us perfect and right with God.

 Paul mentions some of the spiritual gifts Jesus gave to the body. How can we appreciate the purpose of the gifts and get all we can in understanding and therefore walk in the reality of these truths?

So many nuggets in this chapter and we learn more about the spiritual blessings that belong to us, because we belong to Christ. 

Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:11

Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:17-19

Ephesians 2:1-8

Ephesians 2:12-14

Ephesians 2:18-19

Ephesians 3:6

Ephesians 3:12

Ephesians 3:16-20

Ephesians 4:1-16

Hebrews 10:14

Ephesians Workbook Link

YouTube Playlist for Ephesians

Understanding the oneness we have with God and Jesus through the Holy Spirit, changes everything. We need to keep being reminded of how much God loves us and what we have in Christ. Paul prayed earnestly for revelation

Ephesians 3:14-21

John 17:20-23

Ephesians Workbook

Ephesians YouTube Teachings

Paul has more insight and mystery to reveal to those who are in Christ. He wants them to know about a mystery that had been hidden up until that point, but he was about to make it known. This mystery that is being revealed is beyond comprehension. The vastness of the wealth we have been given in Christ is too big to grasp. When we understand scripture the way God intended when He inspired man to write it down, it will take us to a deeper understanding, love and intimacy in our relationship with the Lord and one another. There are not enough words to adequately explain the love of God found in Christ Jesus.

Let’s explore together and see what we can learn about a love so great it can only be revealed by the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 3:1-13

2 Corinthians 11:23-33

Philippians 3:8