Four Storm Shelters

Introduction: Our IDENTITY determines our SECURITY! Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? What has Jesus done and what is He doing in your life? These questions will be addressed in this daily devotion. Our Lord put it in our heart to develop (from scratch as the Lord gives me – not from a book except the Word of God) a brief exegetical Bible study. The VISION to do this was during Covid…and these devotions have continued these months and years. Praise the Lord! Thanks for joining us and do please pray for us. Our prayer is that these daily Bible studies will both “encourage” you as well as “enlarge” you in your walk with Jesus.
 
Here are 4 STORM SHELTERS:
 

1. Who we are “in Jesus Christ”- our Identity! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

Did you see the word “inheritance”? The Greek word means a lot, or a portion. Once born again, we become heirs of Christ – joint heirs with Him (Rom 8:16-18). It is a past event according to the aorist tense verb form in Ephesians 1:3-7.
At the moment of conversion, we were placed into Jesus Christ and He was placed into us by His Holy Spirit. That is our NEW IDENTITY!
 

2. Why we are here – our Security! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

The words “counsel of His own will” means His decree. NOTICE: If our SECURITY is wrapped up in what people say, think or the way they treat us instead of our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus (who we are in Christ), we are destined for FAILURE; i.e. poor self image, inferiority complex and even depression.
But our POSITION affects our CONDITION!
 

3. Where we are going – Destiny! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

Our Lord’s “purpose” is going to be fulfilled as we flesh out the CHRISTian life by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Heaven is our ultimate destination. Yet, before then, we can have alittle heaven here below as we “ABIDE in the VINE”! Appropriating these TRUTHS by FAITH is the key. This will result in overcoming bad habits, being bitten with bitterness, and a host of other JOY robbers.
 

4. What Jesus Christ has done for us and is doing in us – Victory! (Eph 1:11)

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

The word “predestinated” means to predetermine. But please take NOTE: Just because God predetermined before the foundation of the world (knowing our response to His grace & forgiveness) does not mean we are robots. Instead, we are FREE moral agents with choices to accept or reject Him. Even after being converted to Jesus Christ, we have daily choices which determine if we live after the FLESH or after the SPIRIT.
 
Conclusion: For more of a detailed study on this subject see our website – a devotion titled “WHEN the STORM COMES.” Blessings to you and your family.
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese