Easter - Day 08

Day 08 - April, 03
Read Ephesians 1

Highlight
Verse 13-14 “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” The inheritance Paul is speaking about is not the possession of something we get later. It is the active and current work the Holy Spirit - God - is doing in our lives. When we accept and believe in Christ, He gives us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and transform us. The transformation we should experience has the same power that rose Jesus from the dead. It should be transforming our thoughts, attitude, behaviors, and every essence of our life. Producing unity that Paul will go on to mention later in Ephesians. To live a life led by the Holy Spirit is when we see the glimpses of Heaven on Earth, the Kingdom here and now, and a taste of what eternal life is like. A glimpse of what our eternal inheritance will be. 

Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method.  It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.  We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading.  It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal.  But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.

S.O.A.P. Method

Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal.  Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.”  What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?

Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage.  What is this passage or verse saying?  About God?  About people?  How is Jesus revealed in these verses? 

Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life.  Is there truth about God that you are to believe?  A promise to receive?  Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? 

Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture.  This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him.  Be honest and express your heart to Him.  God always listens and He delights in your prayers.  (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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