For the last 2 months I have been totally immersed in the book of Ephesians, It started as an Outline of the entire book for Sunday School, which quickly turned into 4 main topics that I already knew I would be teaching in Cuba, but didn't realize that they were perfectly and in order set in the book of Ephesians.....(you think God might have known all along)? Well as is usual with me, the more I studied, the more I saw, the more I realized a lot of things for myself. I believe teaching comes from the abundance of the heart, that spills over.... I have made ready four shorter outlines for Cuba, even found a way to translate them into Spanish, with an ever increasing love, desire and anticipation I looked forward to July 30th to leave and meet the Cuban people.
My bible reflects many written dates next to John 15:16 as God has encouraged me and moved me forward in my faith, when men and circumstances have tried to tell me a very different story:
You have not chosen me, BUT I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. That whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
This has been what his gentle voice has led me on saying all the while...so when I started studying Ephesians, chapter 1:4-7 stood out immediately, and God took me on a wonderful treasure hunt that strengthened my faith, and confidence in who I am IN HIM. Immediately I knew this message of hope and love needed to be conveyed to the oppressed ladies of Cuba... because I knew how much I need to be reminded often, and how much greater their oppression is in a spiritually dark land.
Little did I know that I was going to have to put on hold the desire to convey this to them and through this passage God would comfort my heart and assure me that this is not a no answer but a not now answer and that my faith will become sight at the right time. This was enough and I was anchored in the hope that is in Christ alone, but he is a very extravagant lover of our soul and he went way beyond this to comfort and assure me.......I know that I was Chosen in him before the foundation of the world......and that he has made me ACCEPTED 5487(charitoo- to grace; endue with special honour to be highly favoured) in the beloved. That greek word is used one other time in the new testament,
Luke 1:28-- and the angel came in unto her, and said Hail, thou that art HIGHLY FAVOURED 5487 (charitoo- to grace; endue with special honour; to be highly favoured) the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (this is a perfect passive participle, indicating an action done in the past that has continuing results! and being passive means that the subject is receiving the action of the verb)
I am so glad God allows us to go as deep as we want to go with him, and he is there to meet us with wonderful treasures that we will only see as we dig for them. "What measure you mete will be measured back unto you" Leaving no doubt of his love and care for us! O what a love affair we have with Jesus Christ that only ends where we leave off, he has SO MUCH MORE to give than we are able to receive. His is truly a surpassing glory! He has left me with no doubt that He has chosen me, and that it was before the foundation of the world, and that because of it I can also say with the ferver of Mary, that my soul too doth magnify the Lord, for he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.... Luke 1:46-55
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