Week of April 3, 2016

HOW RICH IS OUR GOD!

Note the phrase:  "the riches of God's..." in the following passages.  And as you do, consider that this same rich God is pouring these riches out on YOU!  Are you even aware of them?  Are you enjoying them?  (Note my conclusion at the end).
(All Scripture from the NKJV)

Ephesians 1:7 - "In Him have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

God is rich to give to us Redemption and Forgiveness.  He could "pay the debt we owed!"  He's got the riches to do that!

Ephesians 2:4,5 - "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)."

God is rich in mercy to pour out His love on us and bring us to new life in Christ when we got saved!  We were dead in our trespasses.  God could have left us in that condition, but out of the His riches of mercy He gave us life instead!  Remember, mercy holds back what we do deserve while grace gives us what we don't deserve.

Ephesians 3:16 - "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man."

God's riches include the power and strength which only the Spirit of God can give!  We have this strength as a gift from God which He wants us to enjoy in our daily walk with Him!

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

We've often quoted this but as you look at the previous passages do you now realize just How Rich is Our God in giving us more than "the meeting of our needs"?!  But let's remember He does meet our needs,

Conclusion - If for a minute you think you "don't deserve these riches" well, you are absolutely correct!!  You, I, nor any other Christian deserve anything good from God.  That's why He is a GRACIOUS GOD.  It's all because of His grace - we never could deserve these things.  But, we can still enjoy them!  OH HOW RICH IS OUR GOD!