Monday May 30 2022

Today is Memorial Day, Monday, May 30 and we begin a summer study of the book of Ephesians.

As I settle in for a quiet time of intimate morning prayer, I breathe slowly and deeply and center my entire being – body, mind and spirit – on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am here to experience your loving presence and discover the message you have for me. Speak to me through the sacred words of holy scripture and give me insight to comprehend your wisdom and truth.
Amen.

I praise God for his loving kindness and rejoice with the words of Psalm 84.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:4-7

Pause and Pray

For the summer season, First 15 will dive deeply into the book of Ephesians. The communications team at First Methodist Mansfield prepared a study journal for you to record notes from the weekend sermons and First 15 devotion. If you would like a copy of the study journal, please go to The Connecting Point outside of the sanctuary or email us at info@fmcm.org and we will make sure you receive a copy. Paul wrote the letter to the church in Ephesus from a Roman prison cell. Lying in chains he had plenty of time to reflect on God’s great plan to rescue humanity from the power of sin and offer redemption and new life in Christ. He began his letter with a salutation.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:1-3

The words Paul scribes on parchment in the first century A.D. would travel over 1200 miles to the port city of Ephesus in modern day Turkey. He could not have imagined God would use his words down through the centuries to span across the globe, be broadcast on the internet, and someday reach me. He addresses God’s holy people and the faithful in Jesus Christ and that includes me. I pause this morning to receive Paul’s sincere wishes of grace and peace. I come alongside this faithful apostle in chains as he praises God from a dank, lonely, miserable prison cell. Despite Paul’s circumstances he begins his praise acknowledging and celebrating God’s many blessings. I join Paul and the good people of Ephesus, because God has also blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ.

Ask: Can I fathom the depths of God’s love and enormity of God’s blessings for me? Have I opened myself to receive “spiritual blessings” in Jesus Christ?

Pause and Pray

Heavenly Father, I praise you and thank you for your son Jesus. I am grateful to be included in centuries of your holy people as a faithful follower and believer. I long to receive your grace and peace and comprehend the spiritual blessings you have for me. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:1-3

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God is always communicating with me, speaking to my heart and mind, I am the one learning to listen, adjusting the ears of my heart to tune-in to God’s speech. I consider what circumstances I am currently dealing with that the Ephesians salutation addresses. Where in my life do I need God’s grace? Where do I desire peace? How am I growing in holiness? Where do I need to apply faithfulness? What is the spiritual blessing I seek? God already knows. God knows exactly what I need and I can expect him to supply whatever I lack. I anticipate his great love to work in my life and situation.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord, thank you for loving me. I invite you into the circumstances of my life and ask for your spiritual blessings. Come into my heart and bring the grace I do not deserve, the peace that passes understanding, the faithfulness I lack and the holiness I earnestly seek. I praise you for your loving kindness. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

I leave this time of prayer knowing I am blessed by God. I go to be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus.

Amen