Our small group met to discuss Ephesians 1:3-14.  The question was asked, if you had just heard this passage read for the first time in a house-church's weekly meeting what would be your impressions of its meaning?  What effect in the hearts of his hearers do you think Paul wanted to produce?  I think he wanted to produce a sense of awe for the many spiritual blessings we have received through Jesus Christ from God the Father.  The following is an example of how those blessings (see post titled A List of Blessings) work out in the lives of faithful in Jesus Christ. 

As so often happens in a small group of Christians that have come together to seek God’s wisdom, our discussion of this passage produced some wonderful insights.  One of the members of the group shared that in studying this passage they realized that they had neglected praising God for his spiritual blessings in their prayer time.  Much of their prayer time was asking for answers to the many concerns and issues that was on their heart (for others as well as personal) and little or no praising.  Another member shared how they thought that in asking God for answers is a form of praise because we are actively relying on Him and not depending on ourselves.  Praise be to God, what a wonderful picture of prayer, asking and praising!  Through studying the Word together and discussing together what God had revealed to us individually, we gain helpful insight and wisdom.  We participate in the wonderful body of Christ, the church; helping one another grow in knowledge and understanding. 

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, yet you feel a tug on your heart that maybe God is calling you to seek Him, I encourage you to find a small group of Christians to meet with on a regular basis.  There you will find genuine searching for the truth of God and you will witness the joy in finding it.