blessings

Ephesians 1 

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms 

because we are united with Christ. 

4 Even before he made the world, 

God loved us 

and chose us in Christ 

to be holy 

and without fault in his eyes. 

5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family 

by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. 

This is what he wanted to do, 

and it gave him great pleasure. 

6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us 

who belong to his dear Son. 

7 He is so rich in kindness 

and grace 

that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son 

and forgave our sins. 

8 He has showered his kindness on us, 

along with all wisdom and understanding.

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

right living

Galatians 6 

2 Share each other’s burdens, 

and in this way obey the law of Christ. 

3 If you think you are too important to help someone, 

you are only fooling yourself. 

You are not that important.

4 Pay careful attention to your own work, 

for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, 

and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, 

sharing all good things with them.

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. 

You will always harvest what you plant. 

8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature 

will harvest decay 

and death from that sinful nature. 

But those who live to please the Spirit 

will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 

9 Don't get tired of doing what is good.

So don't get discouraged & give up,

for we will reap a harvest of blessing

at the appropriate time.

10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity,

we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

fruits

Galatians 5 

22 The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, 

and self-control. 

There is no law against these things!

God's own child

Galatians 4 

4 But when the right time came, 

God sent his Son, 

born of a woman, 

subject to the law. 

5 God sent him to buy freedom for us 

who were slaves to the law, 

so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 

6 And because we are his children, 

God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 

prompting us to call out, 

“Abba, Father.” 

7 Now you are no longer a slave 

but God’s own child. 

And since you are his child, 

God has made you his heir.

worthless?

 Do you ever feel worthless, a nobody, unimportant?

Remember these 3 verses spoken by Jesus...

Matthew 10

29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? 

But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 

30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 

31 So don’t be afraid; 

you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Jesus calling Matthew

Matthew 9 

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. 

“Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. 

So Matthew got up and followed him.

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

storms

What storms in your life could Jesus calm for you?

Matthew 8 

23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 

24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, 

with waves breaking into the boat. 

But Jesus was sleeping. 

25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 

“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”