So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word Psalm 119;142

Unalloyed pleasure?

Would you like an hour for some pure, unalloyed pleasure?

Sit down (or better yet kneel down!) and read Paul's letter to the Ephesians all the way through. Remember that in all probability it was written not only for believers in Christ in Ephesus, but it was a general letter to everybody who has "faith" in Christ. Note chapter 1 vs 2: Those are not empty words; choose to receive the "grace . . . and peace" that Paul prays for you to enjoy as a gift from the father and from Christ. Thank Him for vs 3: you HAVE BEEN "blessed . . . with all spiritual blessings in Christ." You doubt that? Ponder where you would be if it were not true! You can't understand vs 4 unless you choose to believe Isa 49:1-8 and Jer 1 and Ps 139. Before you were born God chose you for some special service and knit you together in your mother's womb and directed your life and your personality so you would be qualified to serve in some special way so you can be happy with eternal life. Believe Eph 1:4 and your true, genuine self-respect will go way up. (It will also humble you and give you repentance for your doubting this truth). Eph 1:5, 6 will thrill your inmost soul, for you have already "been accepted in the Beloved." A wise writer (The Desire of Ages p 113) says that the "us" who are thus "accepted" means the entire human race. In other words, when the Father embraced Jesus at His baptism in the River Jordan, He put His arms around you too! You already "have redemption through His blood," and more than that, "forgiveness of sins." (Remember, "forgiveness" in the language Paul used means sending the sins away, or victory over them, not mere lasse faire winking at them and pardon). Vs 11 makes crystal clear that "in Christ" you have been "predestinated" to be saved-which means the real truth of the greatly argued "doctrine of predestination." God has "predestined" no one to be lost! You say, "But I know I am a sinner!" True; but the "good pleasure of God's will" (vs 5) means that God has "fun" (do I dare say that?) watching sinners become transformed by His grace into people equivalent in value to His own dear Son. Keep on through the Letter; ask God to grant you the gift of His Holy Spirit to enable you to believe how good all this Good News is. And that means something very special: you too will have "fun" watching people (and yourself) transformed by the grace of Christ. "Fun" maybe a lot better than going to Disneyland, or anywhere such.

Have you been blessed?

We pray so!

If you would like to know more about Gods good news for you or you would like us to pray for contact us. Phone (203) 333-2876

If you would like to receive messages via e-mail on a regular basis e-mail Daily Bread