Possess the Purpose: A 31-Day Devotional Learning Who You Are in Christ Through the Book of Ephesians

By Barbara Lyons Slade

What is My Purpose? Why am I Here? You were born with a divine destiny . . . a destiny that not only affects your life, but the lives of everyone you encounter. Possess The Purpose parallels right positioning in Christ to right relationship with people and centers on the truth that fulfillment of purpose happens only as we obey God and touch the lives of others with His love. Join me as we journey through Ephesians and gain revelation and insight about God's purpose for our lives, for "God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 GW)"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483645384

Barbara Lyons Slade

Barbara Slade is a graduate of King’s College & Seminary in Van Nuys, California where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theological Studies. Ms. Slade is multi-gifted and uses her talents to help others mature in their spiritual walk and fulfill their God-given purpose.

Book preview

Possess the Purpose

A 31-Day Devotional

Learning who you are in Christ

through the book of Ephesians

Barbara Lyons Slade

Copyright © 2013 by Barbara Lyons Slade.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible Copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Rev. date: 06/11/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

132888

Contents

Introduction

Preface

Part I The Believers’ Position In Christ

Day 1 Perpetual Praise

Day 2 Redeemed in Christ

Day 3 Sealed by His Spirit

Day 4 Spiritual Revelation

Day 5 Christ Exalted

Day 6 Amazing Grace

Day 7 Unified in Christ

Day 8 The Chief Cornerstone

Day 9 The Call to Witness

Day 10 Grace upon Grace

Day 11 Filled with His Fullness

Day 12 More Than Able

Part II The Believers’ Purpose In Christ

Day 13 Worthy of the Call

Day 14 Just One

Day 15 Gifts for the Body

Day 16 New in Christ

Day 17 Perfected Purpose

Day 18 Faithful to Forgive

Day 19 Vessels for God

Day 20 A Sanctified Lifestyle

Day 21 The Light Within

Day 22 Insightful Living

Day 23 Embrace the Spirit

Day 24 The Blessing of Submission

Part III The Believers’ Power In Christ

Day 25 Strength in the Highest

Day 26 The Armor of Truth

Day 27 In His Righteousness

Day 28 The Glory of Peace

Day 29 The Shield of Faith

Day 30 Victory in His Word

Day 31 The Power of Prayer

Conclusion

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This book is dedicated in loving memory to my father,

Sidney Lyons, whose quiet spirit spoke volumes into my life.

His strength, in the face of many adversities, and his commitment

to family is a testimony of his courage and his character.

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Acknowledgements

A very special thank you to my mother, Estella Lyons,

for her constant love and support

Thank you to my sons, Curtis and Christopher,

who always believe the best in me

Thank you to my family and friends whose help and

encouragement inspired me to complete this work

To God be the Glory!

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Introduction

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Have you ever asked yourself, what is my purpose in life or what is my reason for being? Possibly the questions were phrased more like, why was I born and what is the meaning of my existence? Further contemplation and self-examination may find you wondering, why did God create me like I am and what am I meant to do in this life?

We all look for ways to validate our identity, a reason for being, and a purpose for living. The truth is that we often search for it in people, things, accomplishments and successes. We affirm ourselves by our age, looks, financial status, worldly achievements, and things of like manner. We naturally look to family, friends, co-workers and associates to substantiate our self-worth and to give us a sense of significance.

This inner struggle, rendering countless thoughts of, who am I, why am I, and what is my destiny in life, fill our minds constantly. Inevitably, this internal inquisition will yield feelings of emptiness, discouragement and disappointment if we do not seek the answer to these unsettling questions in the one who is the Creator of Life and the Author of Purpose.

The Living God, who made the heavens and the earth, created each one of us according to His perfect will and His divine plan for the world. Everything that we are meant to be and do upon this earth can only be found in Him.

Unless we have confessed with our mouths and believed in our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He died for the sins of humanity and God raised Him from the dead, we have not yet entered into right relationship with God, experienced a relationship with Jesus, nor understood the intimacy of His Holy Spirit. Consequently, everything outside of the realm and regency of God is futile, counterfeit, unfulfilling and temporal.

In Christ, we are children of God, recipients of every spiritual blessing and heirs of eternal life. We have a heavenly Father who is not only able, but also willing to meet our every need. We have a Savior in Jesus who loves us unconditionally and gave His own life that we might live through Him. We have God’s Spirit who dwells within us to help us discern the will of God and to experience the mighty working of His power. Ultimately, we have a divine destiny, with the glorious promise that God Himself will dwell with us forever.

As you read this devotional expect the Holy Spirit to give you greater revelation of your position in Christ, for only in Christ will you attain your true identity. Only in the scriptures will you find God’s perfect will and only by His Spirit will you be able to comprehend the reason for your existence and the purpose in which you were born.

Preface

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God has encouraged me through the Epistle of Ephesians and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write this devotional as a tool to help believers and unbelievers experience a new dimension of dialogue with Him.

It is not a commentary on the book of Ephesians, but an aid to help you learn how to use the scriptures as a means for intimate and fruitful fellowship with God.

I have full confidence that as you incorporate the principles of this devotional consistently and continually, you will experience a deeper knowledge of the blessings you have in Christ and your purpose as a child of God.

Challenge yourself to read the prayers aloud until they become real in your spirit and effectual in your Christian walk. Expect God to speak to you as you dialogue with Him. Listen to the words you are saying. Allow them to penetrate your heart and acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence as you worship and fellowship with God.

I pray that as you exercise the disciplines in this devotional, realizing your