NS30

^"21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."

(That's from Ephesians 3:21, NLT)

What a cool way to wrap up things. I love Paul's enthusiasm at the end of this chapter!

So, now the texting is over. The thirty days is up, and there will be no more! BUT, please continue to get into God's word. Read it, know it, and live it! I pray that this has encouraged you to read your Bible....or maybe just read it in a new way. Throughout these past 30 days, has God used any of these verses to speak to you? Have you memorized any of the verses? Is there a particular verse that has helped you out? Maybe tell a friend about it, or feel free to let us know!

1...2...3...4...5 days 'till FUEL! GET EXCITED! Keep answering the movie trivia questions for your chance to win an AWESOME prize!

FUEL is this Sunday, August 15th, @ the NLC, from 5-8 and 8-10!

See you there!

NS29

"²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

(This is from Ephesians 3:20, NLT)

I'm so happy I get to serve a God who finds use in things like me, who are otherwise useless! What a good, good God!

Thanks again for checking out the blog and reading the texts!

The daily texts of scripture might be ending...but there are still 6 days until FUEL, which means 6 pirizes you can win by being the first one to text back the correct answer to the daily movie trivia! Good luck...and See you @ FUEL this Sunday, August 15th 5-8 and optional movie night 8-10!

DON'T MISS IT!

Enjoy your Monday!

NS28

^..."19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

(This is from Ephesians 3:19, NIV)

If you've been keeping up with the past few verses from Ephesians 3, then include this in your prayers to God for whoever it is you have been praying for.

Hope you all are liking the daily texting! Just so everyone knows, you can feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns as a comment on any post. Feedback is always appreciated!

Check back tomorrow---

Have a great Sunday!

NS27

..."18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is."

(This is from Ephesians 3:18, NLT)

I pray that someone prays this prayer for you, and that you would pray this for someone.

There's this awesome guy named Brennan Manning. He's still around, just really old. He's an author, a friar, a priest, a speaker, and a very Godly man. He received these words from the Lord:

"For love of you I left my Father's side

I came to you who ran from me,who fled me, who did not want to hear my name.

For love of you I was covered with spit, punched and beaten,and fixed to the wood of the cross."

Brennan later wrote that "Those words are burned into my life"...."Once you come to know the love of Jesus Christ, nothing else in the world will seem as beautiful or desirable."

Check the blog again tomorrow, and enjoy your Saturday:]

NS26

..."17 Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong."

(That's from Ephesians 3:17, NLT)

Read this verse a few times, and think of someone who you can pray for as Paul did for the Ephesians. Read yesterday's verse, Eph.3:16, along with today's as you pray for that person.

i.e. "¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources He will empower (name) with inner strength through His Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make His home in (name's) heart(s) as (name) trust(s) in Him. (Name's) roots will grow down into God’s love and keep (name) strong."

Check back tomorrow for more!

Enjoy your Friday!

NS25

^"16I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,"...

(This is from Ephesians 3:16, NIV)

This week, the verses being sent out for students to read are found in Ephesians chapter 3. These verses are again, written by Paul. They are Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, who are defined in Eph.1:1 as,"...God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus". ( 'Ephesus', being a city in that time period.)

Sometimes I like to uses verses, such as this one, as a sort of "prayer guide". No, I don't pray for the Ephesians. However, when ever the word YOU or YOUR is written, I replace it with a person or maybe even a family of whom I would like to pray for.

i.e. "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen (name) with power through His Spirit in (name's) inner being,"...

Check the blog tomorrow for more!

Enjoy your Thursday!

NS24

^"10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

(This is from Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

According to this verse, we are God's masterpiece! Take some time to reflect on what that means...and how awesome that is!!!

In the second part of this verse, Paul is communicating the same thing he's been saying one way or another throughout Ephesians chapter 2. Paul is writing to let us know that we are alive! Jesus made us alive! If Jesus lives within you, then you are alive through Him. Paul wraps up Ephesians 2:3-9 by letting us know that we have a purpose! We were made by God WITH a purpose.

Praying for you as you continue to challenge yourself with God's word!

Check back tomorrow, and enjoy this wonderful Wednesday!

NS23

"9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

(That's from Ephesians 2:9, NLT)

What is Paul so concerned about here? What might people misunderstand about salvation?

What might you misunderstand about salvation?

Often times, people misunderstand good works. Some people may believe that good works, or doing good things, is their ticket to eternal life. Others may just think that good things will get God to notice them, or maybe grant them something in return. There are multiple ways to misunderstand doing good things, especially in relation to salvation. As a result, we can live our lives without the grace of Jesus Christ. And if we're missing that...we're missing life! Jesus paid a very high price for our salvation, and in that we have freedom!

Do you or have you ever struggled with this?

Why might God not want anyone to boast or brag about what they've done to earn or contribute to their salvation?

Check back tomorrow guys...

Enjoy your Tuesday!

NS22

^"8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God"

(That is from Ephesians 2:8, NLT)

Paul repeats this idea several times in Ephesians...and for a good reason too! Trying to take credit for grace doesn't make any sense...it's like paying for a gift you give yourself.

You did not / can not earn God's salvation.

Check back tomorrow for yet another verse...it will be texted to you (as always) as well!

Enjoy your Monday!

NS21

^"7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus."

(That's from Ephesians 2:7, NLT)

If you think back to First Timothy- this verse is consistent with what Paul was writing.

Think again...has God used you as an example?

Think of specific ways in your life that God has blessed you with His grace and kindness- and maybe take a moment now or later to thank Him for that.

Check your phones tomorrow...check back here tomorrow....and have a splendid Sunday!