"On earth as it is in heaven"

This is part of what Jesus said in Matt 6:10 concerning how we can pray.
The first part of this section of the prayer, was, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" and then, to finish this thought off, He said, "on earth as it is in heaven"

So, in heaven, God's will is being done. And our prayer, says Jesus is to be along this line, that God's will would also be done on earth as well. In fact, that just as it is in heaven, that it might be that way on earth.

We can only try and imagine, based on our understanding of Scripture as to what it is like in heaven with respect to God's will being done.

We do know that there is nothing evil, sinful, etc, going on there ( short of the mystery of Satan having access there, until he is cast out during the tribulation period ) But, even satan's access to heaven, does not mean there is anything less then the most holy, blessed, glorious, pure, just, merciful, loving, gracious, wise atmosphere anywhere in all that exists going on there.

God's will, that phrase, the best that I understand it, means, "that which is pleasing to God"
So, what's pleasing to Him is what happens in heaven..

What's pleasing to God is what God wants to have happen on earth, and in particular in our own personal lives.

So, what's pleasing to God, that can happen in our lives?

Here are some suggestions........

1. Loving Him with our lives.
2. Loving others with His love.
3. Following Jesus Christ today.
4. Fellowshipping with Jesus Christ today.
5. Meditation in God's Word today.
6. Being a light to others today.
7. Seeking to do whatever God leads us to do today.

I'm sure you can add to the list when you stop and think about it.

But, to close this out, this part of the prayer model given to us, is an encouragement. God wants His will to be done in our lives, and we can pray for it to be done in our lives today.

Finally, "what do you think the Lord might be calling you to do?" May what He wants, actually happen in your life today.

In Jesus name

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

About God's Will.........and prayer.......

See Matt 6:10 "Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven"

In giving us a patter for prayer, Jesus deals with His kingdom coming, and His will being done on this earth, just as it is in heaven.

Yesterday, we looked slightly at the "Your kingdom come" portion, and also a little bit about "Your will"

Today, I just wanted to focus a little more on the "Your will" part, and especially the two things that are said about it. One being in heaven, and the other being on earth.

First of all then, in heaven, God's will is being done, continuously, and without interruption. It's simply being done all of the time, pardon the pun. There is no time in heaven, only eternity, but, in that eternal place called heaven, where God dwells, the 24 elders, the four living creatures, and the angels, and the multitude of redeemed saints, it's a place of all that is pleasing to God. His will is being done there. Imagine that. What a place heaven must be like.

Secondly, the pattern for prayer given to us by Jesus includes this request on our part, for God's will to be done also on earth. Imagine that for a moment. What exactly does this mean, and when does it apply etc, etc? When will this happen, and how does this work in our lives now? These are all questions that come to my mind as I think about this part of the prayer shown us by Jesus.

Some application then.........

1. God's will can be done in my life.
2. I can pray for God's will to be done in my life.
3. God's will is always in sync with His Word.
4. God wants His will done in my life at this time.
5. God's will means, what pleases Him.
6. God's will is the best there is.
7. Nothing is superior to God and God's will.
8. God's will is to be embraced.
9. God's will is shown us in His Word.
10. God's Spirit helps us know and do God's will.
11. God's will is not always easy to walk in.
12. Am I in God's will today?
13. Am I resisting God's will today?
14. Lord help me to walk in your will today.





Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

More teaching by Jesus on how to pray. See Matt 6:9-15

Jesus is giving us a pattern for prayer.
He is not saying that we are to necessarily repeat this prayer word for word, ( although I do not believe that that would be out of line ), but rather, He is giving us the things that go into prayer, what to pray about, how to pray, etc, etc.

Let's look today at just a couple of the things that He lists for us.....

1. Your Kingdom come.

God does have a kingdom, and He does intend to bring it to the earth ( this is the 1000 year reign of Christ that is coming ) and here, Jesus is telling us we can pray about this, and ask Him to bring His kingdom. That it might come to the earth, that Jesus might come to the earth once again.

When you begin to look at Scripture, you very quickly see that it is filled with prophecy. The plans and intentions of God given to us in advance. Most prophecies in the Bible have a dual aspect to them. That is, there is first of all the immediate fulfillment during the time of the people to whom it was given, and then a future aspect to it's fulfillment. A contemporary and future aspect.

Your kingdom come is surely in regards to the future. However, there is something in this petition that can be applied to us today and each day in our walk with the Lord. Your kingdom come, means, "might You rule now" So, we can apply this to our own lives day by day. Lord would You please rule in my life today.

Our part would be to come under His authority and seek to honor Him, and do His will. In fact, He is going to speak about His will be done in this prayer also. So, Lord, Rule in My LIfe. That's one very good application, Rule in my personal life, my family, my work, my church, etc, etc. Let me come under Your rule in all of this areas


2. Your will be done.

There you have it in black and white. Very clear. A petition for God to do His will. A request on our part for the will of God to be done. He goes on to add, "on earth, as it is in heaven"

It's interesting to do a study on the meaning of God's will. When you do, you find out, that God's will means that which is pleasing to Him. Isn't that interesting. It puts the phrase and the concept in a whole new light as it were.

To do God's will is not just to obey rules or regulations that He has put forth in His Word, but rather to yield my life and will to that which pleases Him. Think about that for just a moment. God pleased.
Yes, God is pleased when my life is in sync with His will

Why would He be pleased about that? I believe it's because He knows that our lives will be the most blessed that they can be. When we go His way, we are going in the way of blessing, and nourishment. I also believe that being in His will, means that our lives become transformed into His image, so that we are then more useful for His purposes and plans, It makes us useful instruments.



Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. See Matt 6:9-15

Jesus, having already laid some ground work about prayer in the previous verses, ( Matt 6:5-8 ) explaining what not to do, and what to do when praying. It's so helpful and very encouraging, because it includes a promise about prayer. Jesus now continues to give further teaching on how to pray.

Here is how to pray says Jesus. There are five things I wanted to deal with this morning in this prayer.

1. This is a pattern for prayer.

 Or, a way to pray, it's a guide, it's given to us to help us know what to pray about, how to pray, etc, etc. This teaching from Jesus helps us to know various things to pray about, and how to pray about them.

2. This prayer starts with the words "Our Father"

"Our" it means, we, and us. So, our,  speaks of others besides ourselves. We are one part of God's family. There are others like us. They have a relationship with God just as we do. So, the first thing here in this prayer, is that there are others who know Him, and walk with Him, and belong to Him.

3. This prayer is addressed to Our Father.

This is who we are praying to. It's our Father. By the way, this does not mean that we cannot talk directly to Jesus, or address our prayers to Jesus, or even to the Holy Spirit. But, Jesus is giving us a pattern for prayer. Generally, in the Bible, prayers are addressed in the way Jesus is explaining it. We pray to our Father.
And, in calling God, our Father, it speaks of the fact that we belong to Him as it were, and He belongs to us. We are in a relationship with Him. We were not always in that relationship, but now, having put our trust in Jesus Christ to save us, we now are God's children, and God is our Father.


4. This prayer teaches us that our Father is actually in heaven.

He is of course everywhere, He is omnipresent. But, His visible presence as it were, is in heaven. He is there, in that place, on His throne. We are here on this earth, in this physical dimension. The prayer brings to our minds that there is a heaven, and that we are not there yet. Even though God is in heaven, and we are here on earth, we can still communicate with Him. God does hear our prayers.


5.This prayer recognizes the greatness of God

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Hallowed, means consecrate, sanctify, be holy, dedicate, or to be kept holy. There is no one like God. God Himself in the book of Isaiah, repeatedly, spoke to Judah, asking them this question, "Is there anyone like me?" Of course the answer is no, there is not.
So, in this patter for prayer, Jesus is helping us to acknowledge the greatness and the supremacy of God in our lives. And, it can also be seen as a request, and that is, that God would help us to keep Him holy in our lives It's speaks of who God is, and where He belongs in our lives, and is in a sense asking that He be kept there in our hearts and minds.


Well, many blessings from God to you today. May the Lord help us understand how to pray, and might we then be people of prayer. Jesus anticipates that we would pray, and is here teaching us how to pray. May it be very, very helpful to you.

Pastor Bob Grenier.

A few additional thoughts for reflection and application.

1. You can pray.
2. Even if you don't pray, you can start now.
3. God wants you to pray.
4. God will hear your prayers.
5. God answers prayer.
6. God loves you so much.
7. You can grow in your prayer life and understanding of prayer.
8. May we all grow together.

What not to do in prayer, and a wonderful truth about God and prayer

See Matt 6:7-8


In teaching about prayer, there is this second thing that Jesus says not to do when praying ( the first was do not do it for show, so that other people will see you praying, but pray privately to God alone, and He will reward you openly )


Here Jesus, and again, ( He seems to be anticipating that we would pray, or expecting that we would pray ) says, "do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words" Matt 6:7 


What does this mean?


First of all, He is talking about what heathens or unsaved, or pagan peoples did and do even today in their saying many words to their deities or gods. Jesus says, do not follow this example of thinking that you must repeat over and over for effect, and with the hope of somehow pleasing God, and of getting Him to do what you want Him to do. Simply, don't do that. 


Secondly, He explains the false belief the heathen have, which is not true in any way, and of course is not true when it comes to our praying to the one and only and true living God. Don't use vain receptions, you don't have to do that, it's not needed, nor does it work. 


( By way of explanation......this is what the heathen thought. That if they can just be actively saying certain things, that they can by the repeated use of certain phrases, and or certain sentences etc, etc, they can cause to happen that they want to have happen )


Thirdly, Jesus repeats Himself, and says, "Therefore do not be like them . 


Fourthly, and here is the tremendous blessing for us about God and prayer. "For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" Matt 6:8


There are a couple of things here. First of all, prayer is in large part, an expression of our need. That's far from the only reason or part of prayer, but it's a very, very real and important part. 


Also, God knows everything, and He particularly knows what we have need of before we ask Him. Isn't that wonderful.


And, we can see there then, that prayer is not designed to "inform" God of what our needs are. Why? Because He already knows what they are. So, we are not letting Him in on anything. 


I must say, that I think we often do pray like He does not know what is going on. 


So, this is a mouthful. What Jesus has said is worth just thinking about for awhile. ( Anything Jesus says is worth thinking about awhile ) But, as we consider prayer, this is very helpful.


Some final quick thoughts for application.


1. Let's try to pray today.
2. Get alone and pray to God.
3. Expect that God hears you.
4. Believe that He hears you.
5. Look for His reward because He promises to reward you.
6. Pray for God, not for others to see you.
7. Remember, God knows what we need,
8. He knows before we say what we need
9. We are not informing Him of anything.
10. What comes to your mind to pray about?


Pastor Bob Grenier 
Calvary Chapel Visalia 

Matt 6: 7* “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matt 7: 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Jesus teaches us how to pray....See Matt 6:5-6

Jesus is teaching here on the subject of prayer, explaining to His disciples what not to do when praying, and what to do, so as to experience God's intentions and blessings in our lives.

First of all.......We are told what not to be like when we pray. We are not to be like the hypocrites, ( pretenders, doing it for show and applause so to speak ) The pretenders, love to pray in a public way if you will. Making themselves very visible in the synagogue, and or literally out on a street corner, drawing attention to themselves.

What they were after was not the Lord, but rather that men would see them praying, and admire them etc. Jesus says here, "They have their reward" That is, on contrast to what they could have had, which is the blessing of God in their lives. So, don't pray for show, don't pray so that other people will see you and think how great and spiritual you are. No, that's not the way to pray. 

By the way, the person who prays for show and the acclaim of others, is going to lose out on the reward they could have had in prayer. 

Secondly, Jesus explains how to pray. 

1. Go into your room, or somewhere private where others can't see you or hear you. Get into the room, and shut the door. It's a private place between you and God. So, get alone with Him. It's a secret place if you will. Just for you and your Father in heaven. 

2. Then go ahead and pray to your Father. Or go ahead and begin talking to Him ( and listening to Him ) Notice that Jesus says, "your Father who is in secret ) Or hidden, concealed. He is there with you as it were in your room, with the door closed where no one can hear you, or see you. It's you and Him. 

3. Next, we are told that our Father who sees us in secret, will reward us openly. Wow. What an encouragement that is God sees us and will reward us in our prayers. 

Later in this chapter, Jesus will give more detail as to what to pray about. But, what He has said so far is indeed a blessing. 

Nothing is said here about time in prayer, body posture in prayer, how loud or quiet to be in prayer etc. None of that. The emphasis has been on private intimacy with God. Not praying for show. Putting aside that human prideful desire, and to get alone with just you and God. 

This is God's own prescription and invitation to us if you will. He is inviting us to pray, and He also is promising us that there is a reward, or a blessing that comes from this private encounter with Him. The other blessing if you want to call it that, is "people see how spiritual I am" Yikes. That is not a blessing. That is an empty moment. 

Well, we will continue our study about prayer, and praying in the days ahead. 

But, I sure hope that God is leading you and blessing you as you think about prayer, and then go ahead and pray. 

One final thought. That private room, can be within your own heart and mind, even when you are out in public, it can be in your car, sitting at a stoplight, sitting in a chair waiting at a doctor's office etc. But, wherever it is, God sees, and God promises to reward you.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"And when you pray"

See Matt 6:5-15 for the complete teaching on prayer by Jesus in what is called The Sermon on the Mount.


This sermon by Jesus was given to His disciples, See Matt 5:1-2
It includes many areas of life, but one of them is the area of prayer. Jesus says a lot about prayer. Over the next week or two, I'd like to look closely at what He said, in hopes that His teaching will help us in our own prayer lives.
In our own talking to God. 


So, what did Jesus say about prayer here in Matthew 6? Let's look at the very first thing He said. 


"And when you pray" See 6:5 


1. Jesus spoke as if He anticipated or expected that His followers would pray. 
 "When you pray"


2. In saying this, He is saying that it's possible to pray.


3. Jesus used a common word for prayer. Pray, means just that, to pray, to offer prayers, to make prayers, to talk to the Lord.


4. The you here, is anyone who follows Jesus. His followers can pray, they can talk to God.


In summary then. There is an expectation, or anticipation that God's people would pray. We know that it's possible to pray, or to talk to God. 


That's pretty simple and plain. We can talk to God, and God expects that we would pray.  


If you pause a moment to look at this statement in it's context in the sermon on the mount, especially in chapter 6, you can see that it's part of other things that God's people do, such as being generous and caring, fasting, etc. Prayer is part of the normal christian life, or ought to be. 


If we also pause to think about prayer in the larger context of the entire book of Matthew, we see that Jesus Himself prayed. He did what He was teaching the disciples to do. He prayed.


And, if we look in an even broader way at the NT and the OT, the new testament and the old testament, we find many, many, many people who prayed. It's all through the Bible. 


So, talking to God is normal if you will, in the sense that God's people prayed. 
In fact, if we were to really look closely, we would find that God's people prayed in many different times, and for different reasons, etc, etc. Many prayers, about many things are recorded for us in the Bible. 


But, this morning, here in Matt 6:5 we are just looking at this one simple thought. The Lord spoke with the expectation that we would pray. He anticipated that we would pray. 


That's very encouraging to me. Because, we know that God hears prayer. He both expects that we would pray, and hears us when we do pray.


Here's a scripture to finish up with today.

Jer 29:12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Tomorrow, we will look at the next thing Jesus said in Matt 6 about prayer. In fact, it has to do with what not to do when we pray. 


My prayer today...........


Lord, thank You for teaching us about prayer. And thank You for the promise You made through Jeremiah that for those who call upon You, that you would listen to them. 


I'd like to call upon You today Lord, and throughout the day, and I know that You will listen. Again, thank you.


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"God's plan for the future......A Gathering together"

See Ephesians 1:10

"That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him."


God started time, and God implemented His good pleasure, or His will in what we call time here on earth.

God has been working towards the accomplishment of His plan's and purposes, and is doing that this very day, and will continue to do that up until the end of this world's existence as we know it according to the Book of Revelation. See the last 3 chapters in particular.

But, here in Ephesians 1:10, Paul tells us that in the management of the fullness of times, or the completion of time as we know it, that God intends to bring about a gathering.

The gathering together as it's called here, will gather "all things in Christ" and, Paul goes on to say, "which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him."

I'm not sure what the all things refers to, but, whatever they are, they are "in Christ"

But it is clear that there will be a gathering together of the things that are in heaven, and the things that are on earth.

God is going to bring all of this together.

I certainly means of course, that all the people who have come to faith, will be gathered together.

The Lord is going to bring all of His redeemed ones together in one.

What a large group that will be.

Each and every person who has been saved from the start of time, till the end of time will finally be together.

Jesus Christ is the center of this gathering if you will.

Being in Christ means a person will be in this gathering.

So, the future includes God's plan to bring everything in Christ together in one.

The Bible takes us right to the end of this world, and the creation of a new one. That's where the Bible ends in terms of telling us what will happen. See Revelation 22.

We are living in this world today, but we are headed for the accomplishment of God's great plan, and plans for us, and for eternity.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

God has made known to us the mystery of His will

See Eph 1:9

Having made know to us the mystery of His will, according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

This is something that God has done for us, and is doing for us, and will do for us.

It has to do with His revealing that which otherwise could not be known.

God's mysteries, must be explained and revealed by God, or we could not know them.

He has done this for us, and as mentioned is doing it, and will continue to do it.

What is it?

Well, it has to do with His will, and it's His good pleasure to do so.

One of the great and simple things about the Bible ( no pun intended when talking about mystery ) is that the Bible is the best commentary for explaining and applying what it teaches. In other words, the Bible will tell us what it is teaching.

And such is the case with what's said in Ephesians 1:9, by going to Ephesians 3:3-6, we see that Paul calls it the mystery of Christ, and tells us that in other or past ages it was not made known, but it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

Specifically, that Gentiles, or non Jews should become fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.

When God chose the nation of Israel, no one then knew that God would also save non Jews. In fact, in the Book of Acts, the mystery of the Gentiles being saved, slowly unfolded to the believers and the apostles etc.

God has chosen to make both Jew and Gentile one in Jesus Christ.

The mystery on a personal level, means that anyone can be saved, by placing their faith in Jesus Christ.

In fact, the letter to the Ephesians, is a letter to Greeks, and in the letter speaks of them being saved, chosen, forgiven, accepted etc, etc.

A few applicational thoughts........

1. We can thank God for showing us His love and His will for our lives.
2. We can tell others that God can save them also.
3. We are actually called by God to share His love, truth, mercy and grace.
4. The Gospel is the best news in the whole world.
5. The soul of man is the most valuable thing in all the world.
6. God sent Jesus to save men's souls from judgment.
7. God gives us understanding about His will.
8. Let's be available to Him today, to be used by Him.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

He has made "you accepted in the Beloved"

Wow............See Ephesians 1:6

This is how it reads in the Amplified version. Eph 1:6  [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 


And, in the NKJV.......Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the beloved. 


The word accepted, means, to be highly favored, make accepted, to make graceful, to be charming, lovely, agreeable, to compass with favor, to honor with blessings. 

This is our current position and will always be our position before our God. Accepted in the Beloved.

Jesus is God's only begotten son, Jesus is God's beloved son also, and He has made us accepted in the beloved, in Christ. 

Being in Christ, is the doorway to all the blessings of God. Eternal life, forgiveness, mercy, love, grace, inheritance, power, etc, etc, etc. These blessings come to us through Christ.. 

Thus, as we look to Jesus Christ day by day, we are looking to the one in whom, and through whom these blessings come to us. 

But, this one, "accepted" simply speaks of our position. We are highly favored with His grace and His mercy, and He has through these, to make us accepted.

You in Christ, are as accepted by God as is any of His other children There is no difference. We are joint heirs with Christ 

Blessings to you today.

Pastor Bob Grenier 

Count your blessings......here are two more...

Good morning. So far, we have looked at a number of blessings that are our's in Christ, as listed by Paul in Ephesians Chapter 1. Here's a quick re-cap.....

1. He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
2. We are holy and without blame before Him in love.
3. He predestined us to be adopted as sons by Jesus Christ.
4. We are now accepted in the Beloved.

Here is the next blessing Paul lists in Ephesians 1:7

It's called "redemption" And, we have this redemption through His blood.

What does it mean? The word is also translated "deliverance" and it means, releasing effected by payment of ransom. Or to be liberated by payment of a ransom.

Peter speaks of it this way. in 1st Peter 1:18 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,"

Thus, as we consider this blessing, we understand it to mean, that God has liberated us from what we were once held in. Paul will explain this a little more in the 2nd Chapter of Ephesians. But, overall, redemption means, that we were born in sin, in death, and in darkness, held there under the power of the devil, who is the god of this world.

Christ is the payment that has freed us from this terrible position we were once in. We are now in God's kingdom of life and light. We have been redeemed. God payed the price for our freedom, by having Christ die for our sin, paying the full price for our sins. We are now no longer guilty, and no longer facing eternal judgment and punishment for our sins.

Paul also says very clearly, that "we have redemption through His blood". In other words, we currently have this liberation through the blood of Christ. It's not something that is coming, but, rather it has come to us, we have it at this moment. We have been liberated.

The next blessing is also listed in Ephesians 1:7 and, it's called forgiveness of sins.
Forgiveness, means, remission, liberty, and release from bondage. It means pardon of sins. Letting them go as if they had never been committed. Our sins have been dismissed. They have been sent away, and are now gone.


In summary then, we have been liberated from what we were once held in. And, we have had our sins, forgiven. They are gone from us. We are free and no longer guilty. This is the position we have with God, before God, because of God, and from God. God has done all of these things for us through Christ.

Thoughts for reflection, explanation and application.

1. These blessings are who we are in Christ.
2. These blessings are how to understand our lives.
3. These blessings are for every christian.
4. These blessings indeed bless our souls, our minds, our hearts.
5. These blessings are worth thinking deeply about, and enjoying them.


May God continue to bless you, encourage you, give you strength, power, grace, peace, mercy and love.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

An another blessing from God. "He has adopted us as sons"

See Ephesians 1:5-6

1:5 Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

In this first chapter of Ephesians, long before Paul calls us to any action, or activities, or response, what he does is to explain in wonderful detail the many, many blessings of God given to us in Christ Jesus. You may even want to read through the first chapter and try to count them up. There are many.

Today, I wanted to deal with one of them, and that is, His having "adopted" us as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.


First of all, Paul says, "having predestined us to adoption as sons etc. The word predestined, speaks of God's planning things out in advance, according to His own perfect will. The word "predestined" or determine beforehand, or ordain, means to predetermine, or decide beforehand, or of God making a decree from eternity past, and to appoint beforehand.

This is thrilling to me. Before the world was created, long ago, ( and of course, I did not exist then nor did anyone, or anything ) but, long ago, God determined, that He was going to make me His child. He was going to adopt me into His family. 

He adopted me as a son, and did this by Jesus Christ. We can see how important Jesus Christ is in all of these blessings. For it's through Him, and by Him, and in Him that all these blessings come to us. So, through or by Christ, God adopted me as His son. 

Also, we see that this adoption was "according to the good pleasure of His will" In other words, God has a will, or that which pleases Him, that which He does, or wants to do if you will. Paul says, "the good pleasure of His will". He planned in love to do this. He has revealed His plan to us through Jesus Christ. All of this was in accordance with the purpose of His will, ( because it pleased Him and was His kind intent ) 

He wanted us to be to the praise of His glory and His mercy. Which by the way, He has so freely bestowed on us in Christ. 

Some thoughts in reflection, for further explanation and application.

1. God did this for us.

2. God did this for us when we did not even exist.

3. God did this for us because it pleased Him to do so.

4. God did this through His Son Jesus Christ.

5. God has made us His own children.

6. God has joined us to His family. 

7. God's only begotten son, now has brothers and sisters in us as christians.

8. God's will and pleasure are one and the same thing.

9. God wanted to do this, He wanted to adopt you as His child.

More thoughts for reflection, application and explanation. 

1. We now wind up praising God for what He has done for us. 

2. We praise God's glory.

3. We praise God's grace ( His unmerited favor and blessing to us )

4. We are now accepted in Jesus Christ. 

5. Accepted means, be highly favored, to honor with blessings. 

6. This blessing, is not the end of the line, Paul will mention more also.

7. We can call Him Father, and do so with confidence. 

8. We have been brought into His family. 

9. All Christians have this blessing as theirs. 

10. This blessing is a reason to be very happy today.

11. God's children, also have an inheritance.

12. We will one day be given our full inheritance.

13. When we get to heaven, we will see and understand our inheritance. 

14. Our God has been so good to us. 

15. We love you Lord. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

God has blessed us by choosing us to be in Christ.

See Ephesians 1:3-4

Before we look at the blessings God has given us, Paul the apostle blesses God, or praises God, by saying, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" ( See 1:3a )
The word blessed there, means, to be well spoken of, or to be praised. What Paul is doing here, is to say, Praise God because of all the blessings He has given us etc.

It is interesting, that Paul mentions God as being the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm not sure why he does this ( and he does it often ), but, one thing that comes to my mind, is that it places the focus on, or reminds us of the fact that God gave His Son for us. He sent Jesus to die for our sins, and to save us from wrath, and to give us eternal life, and to take us to heaven, etc, etc, etc.

Then, Paul states that God has blessed us. The idea behind the word "blessed" here, is that of God bestowing a blessing on us, giving us favor, causing us to prosper. He has Paul says, blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. ( See 1:3b ) Now, what does this mean? The heavenly places in Christ?

Well, first of all, where is Jesus today? He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. And, where are Christians located as it were? We are in Christ, placed there by the Holy Spirit upon our being saved by God. This is not easy to simply understand. It's not impossible to understand, it's just that it's not the normal kind of thing or way we would describe ourselves, that is, as being in something, or someone, or somewhere etc.

But, nevertheless, that's where we are. We as Christians, are in our Lord Jesus. We are part of His body, and thus we have these spiritual blessings, in heavenly places. You could say we are right there in heaven with Jesus. Sounds odd, but, it's true, and it won't be until we leave this earth that we will realize and experience it fully. But, we are in Christ, and he is seated at the right hand of the Father. And we have these blessings in Him, in these heavenly places.

Ok so much for that. Now onto the blessings.

The first one listed here is that "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,"

This choice by God was made even before the world was created. Imagine that. Nothing existed, that is, nothing of the world we know, and yet, God the Father chose us to be in Christ etc.

I'm so glad God made this choice. I thank Him for making this choice.

The word "chose" or choose out, make choice, means to pick out, or to choose for oneself, like when Jesus chose His disciples etc. God simply, and wonderfully chose us to be in Christ. This is what God did, wanted to do, wound up doing, and it's who we are today as a result of that choice. We are in Christ.

The rest of the verse, further explains the blessing of this choice by God for us. "That we should be holy and without blame before Him in love" To be holy, means, to be set apart to God for His exclusive use. And, to be without blame is not to hard to understand. We are those in whom there is no blame.

The word blame, here, means, without blame, or unblameable, without spot, faultless, without fault. Without blemish, faultless. Can you believe it. Wow.

How wonderful this is. This is who we are at this moment. We are ( as far as God is concerned before Him, without fault ) That is who we are, and that is how He sees us.

It's not how we see ourselves, but we should. Because it's how He sees us. This glorious truth, makes me want to explode with praise. I can hardly believe it. This blessing, strikes me deep within my heart and mind, and lifts my soul up in joy and happiness and peace.

Well, that's certainly enough to chew on, and to think about, and to enjoy for one day. I do pray that today, you might let this truth sink deep within you, and bless you. You are without fault before Him in Christ.

Blessings to you today.
Pastor Bob Grenier.

Grace and peace to you........

These are two of the wonderful blessings of God for those in Christ Jesus.

When Paul began this letter to the Ephesian Church, ( as he did in most of his letters ) he greeted them with a prayer for God's blessings in their lives. And, here are two of them.

Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What are these two blessings.....? Grace, means, God's unmerited, or undeserved favor in our lives.
Imagine that, God blesses those who do not deserve it

This is so contrary to the way we often think. We think in terms of rewards. If I do what I should, then I will be deserving of what I should get. Even from early childhood I used to hear that Santa Claus is looking for children who are nice, because if they are naughty, he will pass them over when he comes by your home. So, be good, and Santa will give you what you deserve.

Well, as I've grown up, and through my life, now 64 years old, I've certainly come to realize that I'm not deserving of blessings. In fact, If I were to get what I deserve, it would be judgment. For along with everyone else, I'm a sinner.

But, I've discovered that God has taken what I deserve and given it to Jesus Christ instead of me.
Jesus took what I deserve. He paid for my sins. And, thus God has been just, but, He also is so gracious. And, He can and does and wants to give me grace, or blessings in my life.

He gives grace to the undeserving. That's me, and no doubt you. But, thank You Lord for being so gracious.

Secondly, He gives us peace. This word also translated quietness, speaks of a state of tranquility. Of harmony, of concord, of safety, prosperity, etc. Isn't that beautiful?
Frankly, there are so many things in life, each day that seek to rob us of peace. Troubles, problems come our way without even looking for them.

But, here Paul is praying for the believers in Ephesus to have in their lives, this peace. God gives this blessing. He will give it to you. You can ask Him for it.

These things come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are in Christ.
So, if you are a christian, you are in Christ. You are actually in His body, and positioned to receive these two things.

I'm praying for you and myself right now to experience these blessings from God this very day, in this very hour that you may be reading this devotional.

God loves you.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Basic facts about the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet Revelation 13

The Anti-Christ

1. He is a man coming out of humanity.
2. He is called the beast
3. He has heads, horns, crowns, and a blasphemous name.
4. He is given power, his throne, and great authority by satan.
5. He is mortally wounded at some point during the 7 year tribulation period
6. He is healed of his deadly wound. ( comes back to life as it were )
7. He is marveled at, and followed by the world. ( because of this miraculous recovery from death )
8. Satan is worshipped, ( who gave authority to the anti christ )
9. The anti christ is worshipped, as above everyone, and unconquerable.
10. The anti christ speaks great things and blasphemies.
11. He is given power to to continue in his leadership for 42 months ( 3 1/2 years )
12. He begins to blaspheme God, God's name, God's tabernacle or temple, and those who dwell in heaven.
13. It's granted to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them.
14. He is given authority over the entire world.
15. He will be worshipped by all whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.


Facts about the false prophet or the second beast.

1. This second beast ( another man ) comes up and on the scene.
2. He has power, he appears kind and humble, and speaks with power like a dragon.
3. He has as much authority as the anti christ or the first beast.
4. He exercises his authority in the presence of the anti christ.
5. He causes the entire world to worship the anti christ.
6. He performs great signs, even bringing down fire from heaven to earth in front of people.
7. He deceives the entire world by his signs in front of the anti christ
8. He tells the world to make an image of the beast.
9. He gives life to the image of the anti christ, ( it comes alive ) the image will speak
10. He will cause all those who do not worship the image to be killed.
11. He causes everyone to receive a mark on their right hand, or forehead.
12. Only those who have the mark can buy or sell.
13. Everyone will have the mark, or the name of the anti christ on them, and his number.
14. The number of the anti christ is 666.


Tomorrow, we will continue to look at these two demonically empowered persons of the last days.

Blessings to you today, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

The Anti-Christ of Revelation 13

Now, John sees this beast coming up out of the sea. He has 7 heads, and 10 horns, and on his horns are 10 crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

John goes on to describe the beast, he was like a leopard, a bear, a lion. The dragon, or satan gives the beast power, a throne, and great authority.

Then John sees one of the beasts heads, as if it had been mortally wounded, but his deadly wound was healed. And the entire world marveled and followed the beast at this point.

We are also told that "they worshipped the dragon' or satan who had given authority to the beast. And, they also worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

The beast was also given a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue 42 months. It is at this point that he opens his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven.

It was also granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation, ( or the entire world )

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.

We are then given this statement, this principle of reaping and sowing as it were. The one who leads into captivity will himself go into captivity. The one who kills by the sword will die by the sword. This is the patience and faith of the saints.


Some thoughts for reflection, explanation and application......

1. This anti christ has been known to have been coming. See 1st John 3-4
2. Anti Christ, means, against and instead of.
3. Thus, the anti christ is someone who will be against the true Christ.
4. He will rise to power by satan's power. He is supernaturally empowered.
5. He will suffer a deadly wound to one of his heads.
6. He will be healed, or raised from death.
7. The world will marvel at his healing or resurrection.
8. The world will follow this resurrected satan empowered man.


More thoughts for reflection, explanation and application.

1. Satan will also be worshipped.
2. The anti-christ will be worshipped.
3. The world will see the anti christ as above everyone else.
4. No one will be able to fight and win against the anti christ.
5. He will speak great and blasphemous things for 42 months.
6. He will speak against God, God's name, God's tabernacle, and those in heaven.
7. He will make war against believers.
8. He will have power over the entire world.
9. The world will worship him. ( those who are not in the book of life )
10. Anyone who has an ear, is asked to listen.


A few more thoughts.


1. We are told what will happen to the anti christ.
2. This is a principle of sowing and reaping.
3. The anti christ will one day come to an end.
3. God is going to judge this person.
4. This coming judgement is also called the patience and faith of the saints.
5. In other words, it's comforting to know that God will one day bring judgement.


Last few thoughts.

1. This is all going to happen.
2. This person is probably alive today ( assuming we are indeed in the last of the last days )
3. Satan will have a field day as it were.
4. Satan will think he is getting what he has always wanted, ( to be worshipped like God )
5. Satan's power to deceive will affect all but believers.
6. Believers as we will see will suffer greatly from the anti christ.
7. All of this happens today in much smaller ways.
8. The church will already be raptured when the anti christ comes on the scene.
9. The saints of Rev 13, are those who come to faith after the rapture.
10. God will judge the anti christ one day.
11. It's comforting to know God will judge him and all those who persecute the saints.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation 12:11 tells us of 3 principles in overcoming satan.

Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death"


The "him" in verse eleven, is a reference to the enemy, the devil, satan.

And, the word "overcame", means, to conquer, to prevail, to get the victory. It's used in to speak of being victorious, of Jesus being victorious over his foes. Of Christians that hold fast to their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions.
It was also used of people going to a court of law, and winning their case. So, it means to be victorious.

Verse 11 is speaking of people who during the tribulation have come to faith in God, and are being persecuted by the devil for it. And, it speaks of the fact that they were victorious and gives us the three things they did that brought them this victory.

#1. "By the blood of the Lamb" What does this mean? Well, the same author of Revelation, said s similar things in his first epistle. For example, in 1st John 5:4-5 it says, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.
Who's is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

In James we are also told about overcoming the enemy. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

In 1st Peter 5:9 "Resist him, stedfast in the faith etc "

So, when you look at all of these verses, and there are many, many more in the Bible, the phrase that is used in Rev 12:11 means to simply exercise one's faith in Jesus Christ. Having faith in God. Faith in God brings us victory over satan. That's what will happen to the believers spoken of here in Rev 12.


#2. We are told, "by the word of their testimony" What does this mean? I believer it means that they were sharing their faith, they were witnessing of their faith in God. A real blessing comes into the life of the Christian, who is actively sharing their faith. If one is serving the Lord, even in the background of ministry, it still brings a blessing into their lives.

Also, if one is actually speaking to another person about the Lord, it seems to bring a blessing into the life of the one sharing. It's kind of reviving if you will. It brightens one up. It brings the truth of Jesus right into the center of your thinking. I've found it to be so in my life. I can't explain the blessing. I just know that it happens. I find strength in my life, when I'm witnessing to others about  Jesus Christ.

$3. "And they did not love their lives to the death" In other words, it did not matter to them what might happen to them. They are in love with the Lord, not themselves. They were not moved by the fact that they might lose their lives. They were ok with that possibility. They were not counting their own lives dear unto themselves. They were "all in" to say it the way we speak today. They were committed to the Lord.


So, these are principles from the Bible that explain how to have victory over satan.

1. Have faith in God.
2. Tell others about God.
3. Commit yourself to God regardless of the cost.

May you find God's blessing today in your life. If you are currently involved in some attack by the devil against you, remember to simply have faith in Jesus Christ. Tell others about Jesus Christ, and give your life completely to Jesus Christ. I believe you will experience victory over satan as a result.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Can I really know God's will ? See Ephesians 1:1

Yes you can.

Paul said he knew God's will for his life. And he is an example for us to follow and learn from.

In fact, he states here in Eph 1:1, that he was doing what he was doing by the will of God.
Paul had come to know the will of God for his life and was accomplishing God's will in his life and work. God had revealed His will for Paul, and Paul was following God's will for His life. He was actively carrying out what God had for him.

Some questions, and Biblical principles concerning the will of God.

1. What is the will of God anyways? The phrase "will of God", when examined, simply means, that which is pleasing to God. In other words, God is pleased about His plans and purposes for your life, and when you are in His will, it's pleasing to Him.

2. To say it another way, when you do what God wants you to do, then He is pleased. And, I might add, so are you. I've never met anyone who was in God's will, and was not pleased, and was complaining about it. No, it's pleasing all the way around. ( And even to the people around you, believe it or not. It's bound to bring some pleasantness into their life as well )

3. But, how does a person go about getting into God's will, or finding God's will etc. ? That's the question. How can a person know the will of God? How does God reveal His will to someone?


Some additional facts about God's will:

1. We can pray for it. See the Lord's prayer Matt 5:10 "Your will be done etc, "
Jesus instructed us to pray for God's will in our lives. So, this is a major starting point for the Christian, to simply talk to God and ask that His will might be done in your life. That He might reveal His will to you.

2. God has already prepared His will for you, He did this long ago, even before the creation of the world. See Eph 2:10 "Which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them"

3. God reveals His will to people. He did so in Paul's life. See Acts 9. God told Paul just exactly what He wanted him to do. Same with Jeremiah the prophet, Abraham the father of our faith, and so many others down through the Bible, from Gen to Revelation. So, you can be confident that God will reveal His will to you. God is not a respecter of persons.

4. Is there something I must do to know God's will. Yes, pray and ask the Lord to show You His will. Again, Matt 5:10, and in James 1, we are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. 1st John tells us that when we pray according to the will of God, we can be sure God will show us the answers. It's always God's will to seek God's will. He is very willing to reveal it to anyone who wants to know.

5. Is it really that simple? Yes. And, sometimes no. God is not a genie, and He is not our servant. We are His servants. But, He very much wants to lead us and guide us into His will. God has His own timing as well. He is not on our schedule, but has His own timing in all that He does. We do not need to fret, He will take care of it.

6. God's leads us into His will by putting His desires into our hearts. See Ps 37:4

7. Another thing God does is to honor our humility and trust in Him. See Prov 3:5-6

8. God's will often deals with very specific things that are applicable to each and every Christian.
For example, It's God's will to avoid sexual immorality, and getting drunk, and all of what's said in the Ten Commandments. See 1st Thess 4, Eph 5, and Exodus 20.

9. Perhaps the largest, or biggest part of God's will goes by almost without notice. And that is to love the Lord, one another, and follow Jesus Christ with our whole being.


More principles about knowing the will of God, taken from Paul's own life and conversion



1. Christ revealed Himself to Paul. And, He will reveal Himself to you through His Word.

2. Paul asked Christ about His will. You also can ask God to show You His will.

3. Christ answered Paul, and gave him instruction about what to do. You can ask God also.

4. God's will was to be revealed step by step. This is generally how God does it.

5. The Lord used other people to help Paul move forward in God's Will.

6. You can expect the Lord to use some of His people to help you also.

7. God chose Paul, and appointed him to His will.

8. God has a particular plan that He has appointed for you also,

9. Paul took the next step as advised by Jesus.

10. Might you also take the next step that God has shown you to take also.

Revelation 12:12-17

The call now, "rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the seal! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time"

John goes on to describe how the dragon, satan unleashed persecution upon Israel. However Israel is given two wings of a great eagle, to take her to a place of safety where she would be nourished for "a time, and times and half a time" from the presence of the serpent.

The devil at this point spews water out of his mouth like a flood against Israel. He wants to destroy Israel.

Satan become enraged with Israel and goes to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.


Thoughts for reflection, explanation, and application.

1. Interesting to note that heaven is called to rejoice.
2. More judgement was coming. Woe is always used to speak of judgement coming.
3. Specifically the judgment will be against those who have the seal of God, or God's people.
4. Satan is an intelligent being, and he will know the timetable of his future as it were.
5. We see Satan's hatred for God, vented against Israel.
6. We see this today on every news channel.
7. We also see that God will step in to comfort Israel at this time.
8. Satan feels the same way about anyone who truly commits their lives to the Lord. He hates it.

More thoughts for reflection explanation and application.

1. Can you imagine the massive amount of joy there will be in heaven.
2. How many people will be in heaven?
3. That's how much joy there will be.
4. If you throw in the angels, the joy just went up exponentially.
5. The hatred from Satan has been around for a long time.
6. His army of evil/fallen angels share in his hate towards God's people.
7. We are motivated by love, they are by hate.

Even more thoughts for reflection, explanation and application

1. Comfort and love come from God
2. Hatred and evil trouble come from satan.
3. God's comfort is superior to satan's hatred and evil.
4. God's comfort can be found and realized and enjoyed.
5. God has ways to help us that can't be thwarted by satan.
6. God's people, keep His Word, and have the testimony of Christ.

Final thoughts from this chapter.

1. How close do you think we are to these events coming to pass?
2. The problems with Israel and it's enemies are in the news daily.
3. Iran's leaders speak regularly about wanting to obliterate Israel completely.
4. What might happen to the world if an attack takes place in the middle east?
5. Will Iran attack Israel first?
6. Will Israel attack Iran first?
7. Will Russia come against Israel?
8. The Bible says when they do, 5/6ths of their army will be destroyed.
9. Could we really be that close to the end times scenario playing out?
10. I personally believe we are.
11. Everything that God says will happen does happen,
12. Jesus will return for His people.
13. The church will escape the wrath of God.
14. The anti-christ will be revealed and come into power
15, Etc, etc, etc. See Revelation 13-19

May God bless you today. May you fall in love with Jesus Christ all over again. May you find yourself committed to Him, with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia