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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for May 2025
June 1, 2025
Ephesians 2:4 – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.
Thought: There are several potent elements in this verse. The first potent word is “God.” God is truly potent. He is the Almighty. He is the omnipotent one. The second potent aspect of the verse are the words, “rich in mercy.” God has an abundance of mercy for humanity. It will never run dry. The third potent element is the expression “great love.” God Himself is love. Too, his love covers all humanity. The last potent phrase is “he loves us,” you and me.
Titus 3:4-7
June 2, 2025
Ephesians 2:5 -Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).
Thought: This is the second time in this chapter Paul notes the Ephesians had been dead in sins but were presently quickened, that is, made alive in Christ. Man has a difficult time seeing his dead condition in his sins apart from God. It must be viewed through the eyes of faith. Too, we must believe that we are alive in Christ by faith. To be alive, to be saved, and to be forgiven of sins involves God’s grace. Grace is God’s divine help shown to mankind.
Acts 15:11
June 3, 2025
Ephesians 2:6, 7 – And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.
Thought: Paul tells us that Jesus has “raised us up together.” We were raised when we came up out of the waters of baptism. Then, we were saved individuals. It was then that he “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ.” What this means is that He added us to His church when He saves us. When individuals see and understand God’s plan of salvation, they marvel at the riches of God’s grace and His kindness shown to us through Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:12
June 4, 2025
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
Thought: Salvation has two sides, God’s side and man’s side. God side involves His grace. “For by grace are ye saved.” Grace is the divine assistance God provided man in order to cleanse him of sin. Man’s side of salvation involves faith. Faith accesses the divine grace of God. This faith is not a mere mental assent. It involves obedience to all God commands for salvation. Salvation is God’s gift to man. Man does nothing about which to boast.
Romans 5:1-2
June 5, 2025
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Thought: Christians have been molded into the image of Christ by the hand of God through the powerful Word of God. We were created by God for a purpose, that is, to engage in good works. The need of these good works is underscored by these words: “…which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Every Christian should manifest an abundance of good works in his life. They testify on behalf of the God who saved us.
Titus 2:14
June 6, 2025
Ephesians 2:11 – Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands.
Thought: Society has not changed much since these words were written by Paul. In the first century, there was a great divide between the Jews and the Gentiles. Each group had names for the other. One group, the Gentiles, were called “Uncircumcision.” The other group, Jews, were called “the Circumcision.” The Jews frowned upon Gentiles. They were considered unclean. Their disdain for the Gentiles is similar to how groups despise one another today.
John 4:7-9
June 7, 2025
Ephesians 2:12 – That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Thought: The Law of Moses was a covenant made with the nation of Israel. No other nation was in a covenant relationship with God at the time. Thus, the Gentiles were as Paul describes them in this verse. They “were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Their spiritual condition was dire, diseased, dismal, and deadly.
Colossians 1:21
June 8, 2025
Ephesians 2:13 – But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Thought: The words “but now” stand in contrast to the words, “that at that time,” found in the previous verse. The Gentiles were “far off” from God. In fact, they were completely alienated from Him. The blood of Jesus Christ changed all of that. The Gentiles could now be in a covenant relationship with God. They could stand before Him pure, holy, and without spot. Christ could live within them. They could have both divine promises and a living hope.
Colossians 1:22
June 9, 2025
Ephesians 2:14-15 – For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.
Thought: The sacrifice of the Lamb of God on the cross of Calvary was intended to bring peace between the Jews and Gentiles. It removed “the middle wall of partition” that was between them. This middle wall was the Law of Moses. This wall had separated the Jews from all other people for hundreds of years. Now that it was removed, the Jews and Gentiles could be united in Christ. This was an accomplishment of great magnitude in that society.
Colossians 2:14
June 10, 2025
Ephesians 2:16 – And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.
Thought: Jews and Gentiles did not fellowship one another during the Mosaic dispensation. Jesus changed their relationship when He went to the cross. With His blood, Jesus purchased the church. Every saved person, whether Jew or Gentile, is added to the body of Christ. It is in that body that reconciliation is found. No longer are Jews and Gentiles two warring peoples. In the church, they are united as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:6
June 11, 2025
Ephesians 2:17, 18 – And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Thought: Paul continues to emphasize the unity Jesus brought to both the Jews and the Gentiles. He stresses that those who were afar off were now brought near. The Gentiles could be at peace with God and at peace with the Jews who also obeyed the gospel of Christ. In addition to salvation and peace, both of them now could have access unto the Father by one Spirit. It is interesting that the gospel of Christ is both exclusive and inclusive.
Acts 10:34-36
June 12, 2025
Ephesians 2:19 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
Thought: The Gentiles were considered strangers and foreigners by the Jews. They were not citizens of Israel. They certainly were not children of God. In Christ, all of this changed. Paul tells them: “Ye are no more strangers and foreigners.” Now they are citizens, citizens of the kingdom of God. Too, they were children of God. They had been born again. They were adopted in the family of God. Jews and Gentiles share the same blessings in Christ.
Philippians 3:20
June 13, 2025
Ephesians 2:20 – And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
Thought: Every house and every institution must be built upon a strong foundation. If it is not, it will eventually crumble to the ground. The church is built upon an extremely firm foundation. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. The rest of the foundation springs from this perfect stone. The teachings of the apostles and prophets form the remaining part of this foundation. These teachings are divine. Unlike the creeds of man, they will stand forever.
Isaiah 28:16
June 14, 2025
Ephesians 2:21, 22 – In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
Thought: Upon the foundation of the church Christians are place one by one. Paul says that they grow “unto a holy temple in the Lord.” This temple is “fitly framed together” because God sets each stone in the temple as it pleases Him. Jews and Gentiles “are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Just as God dwelled in the Old Testament temple, He dwells in His temple, the church, today. Yes, we are the temple of God.
1 Peter 2:5
June 15, 2025
Ephesians 3:1 – For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
Thought: Taking the gospel to the Gentiles was the special assignment given to Paul by the Lord Jesus Christ. It was his mission to tell them of the peace that could be found in the body of Christ which had been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. It was a difficult mission. The Gentiles were entrenched with idolatry and immorality. Too, the Jews sought to bind the Law on the Gentile converts. Paul knew the difficulties as he wrote from prison.
Philippians 1:12-13
June 16, 2025
Ephesians 3:2, 3 – If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known to me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words.
Thought: Paul affirmed that he had been commissioned by God to take His divine grace to the Gentiles. Paul communicated that grace orally and by writing. He notes that he had received the information by means of revelation. In other words, he received the gospel by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Paul did not originate the words. He was the medium of communication. He described his message to the Galatians a “the mystery.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
June 17, 2025
Ephesians 3:4 – Whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.)
Thought: There are many people who believe the Bible is too difficult to understand. We will admit that some parts are difficult. However, God never intended for the Bible to be so hard that no one can understand it. In fact, His intent was just the opposite. God wants all to understand. When Paul wrote his letters, he wrote them so they could be understood. Men have used the excuse that the Bible is not understandable, but it will not hold water.
1 Timothy 2:4
June 18, 2025
Ephesians 3:5 – Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Thought: Paul uses the word “mystery” several times in this book. A mystery involves something that is hidden. Paul refers to the gospel as a mystery because there was a time when it was hidden from man. Notice the opening words of this verse. “Which in other ages was not made know unto the sons of men.” The New Testament, however, is the revelation of the mystery. The Holy Spirit revealed what had been hidden to the apostles and prophets.
Romans 16:25-26
June 19, 2025
Ephesians 3:6 – That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.
Thought: In this writer’s opinion, this is the key verse of the book of Ephesians. The mystery of the Old Testament is revealed. It involves the Gentiles being “fellow heirs.” It involves the body of Christ, the church. It involves the promise. It involves being “in Christ.” It involves the gospel. Those who understand the revelation of the mystery should be extremely excited about it. The gospel, salvation, and hope is for all. None are excluded.
Isaiah 11:10
June 20, 2025
Ephesians 3:7, 8 – Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Thought: Paul sets forth the main purpose of his ministry, that is, to “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Paul looked upon his work among the Gentiles as “the gift of the grace of God.” Paul was not worthy of this position. He noted that he was “less than the least of all saints.” God could have chosen anyone, but He chose Paul. Paul understood the magnitude of this gift. He did not take it for granted. He gave his life to it.
Acts 26:15-18
June 21, 2025
Ephesians 3:9 – And to make all me see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
Thought: Paul was commissioned by God to go to the Gentiles with the message of good news. That message contained what Paul calls “the fellowship of the mystery.” Until Pentecost, that message had been hidden by God from man. The word “fellowship” means “joint participation.” Under the law of Christ, all men can share in the benefits of the New Covenant. All can be forgiven. All can be children of God. All can have a hope of heaven.
Colossians 1:25-27
June 22, 2025
Ephesians 3:10, 11 – To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thought: The fellowship of the mystery is found within the blood bought institution, the church. Paul notes two very important things about the church. First, it is part of the “the manifold wisdom of God.” Those who doubt and ridicule the church are showing disdain for the wisdom of God. Second, the church is not a temporary measure in God’s plan. Paul tells us that it involves God’s “eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:9-10