Email from Abiding Place Daily Bread – August 14, 2025 (The Fifth Day – Genesis 1:20-23) Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with all spiritual blessings in Heaven. Spiritual Blessings Revealing Jesus The Greek word ‘pneumatikos’ (spiritual) is only found in the New Testament. It was first used in Romans 1:11 with respect to Paul’s desire to impart spiritual abilities, or gifts, to the brethren. The spiritual blessings include every benefit and manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Its association with the heavenly is essential – these are not spiritual blessings in an earthly realm, but a heavenly one. Paul clarifies this more later when he reveals how we have been seated together with Christ in this heavenly place (Ephesians 2:6). When we were born of God, an invisible transition took place that transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of the Dear Son (Colossians 1:13). The knowledge and consciousness of this present reality in God causes us to think differently about our identity and how we are to function as the representatives of Christ in the Earth. When we consider the meaning of the ‘spiritual’, the emphasis is placed on the operation of the Spirit through those in the Church. When God set up the Church, He empowered the Church to fully reveal the power and glory of the risen Savior Jesus Christ. If Jesus is to be revealed, then we must yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, Who has come to make Him known (John 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11). The final words Jesus spoke to His disciples before He ascended to the throne of God was, “ You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). Jesus turned us over to the same Spirit and same anointing He had received for His earthly ministry. He gave us the same ability to represent the Kingdom of God and to do the works of the Father that He had received. Paul solidifies the connection between the ‘spiritual’ and this demonstration of the Holy Spirit that produces the manifestation of miracles, signs, and wonders. We are to understand the spiritual as the administration, operation, and manifestation of the Holy Spirit – beginning with the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and then on to every gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Paul makes our assignment clear in 1 Corinthians 14:1 and directs our attention to following after love and the realm of the spiritual. Our citizenship is in Heaven, our spiritual blessings are in Heaven, and our life and conduct exist in the Spirit (Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 5:25; Romans 8:4). Take hold of the good news of the Gospel and be liberated to fully live your life in the Kingdom of the Dear Son! Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 8/14/2025
