Does anyone besides me write out paraphrases of passages directed to themselves to try to figure out what they really mean? Here is one I started -- don't know if I'll ever finish it -- but I envisioned saying what Paul says to the Ephesians to my own family...
Gail Havens, a follower of Jesus who is a wife, mother, crafter, and educator by the will of God,
To the Havens saints, also followers of Jesus.
I (and Paul) wish you grace and peace the Father and the Lord Jesus.
I give praises to God for the way he has blessed all of us spiritually. He actually chose us to be forgiven through the work of Jesus way before we were born. He planned to adopt us into his family because he wanted to -- it would give him pleasure and it would show him off as a God who forgives freely because he loves his son Jesus. All because of Jesus' work on the cross, we have been snatched back from eternal seperation from God and forgiven for all our sins. When God lavishes forgiveness on us, don't think he doesn't know how bad we really are -- he has complete wisdom and understanding of us. As each of us was brought to him and made a profession of faith, we saw his purpose at work in our life, which is part of the Great Purpose -- to bring EVERYTHING and EVERYONE together under the rule of Jesus.
The Apostles followed Jesus, just like God planned beforehand that they would, to give glory to Jesus. Then, later, we also were included as followers of Jesus when we heard and accepted the truth that sending Jesus was God's plan to forgive our sins. At that time, God marked each of us with the Holy Spirit, who will keep on reminding us of God until the time comes that we're actually face to face with him in his kingdom.
Paul (and I) never stop thanking God for his work in each of your lives. I hope and pray that you keep on following Jesus...
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