McKeighen November 2024
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3).
As we look to this season of Thanksgiving and celebrating the birth of Christ, I find encouragement in the Book of Ephesians. Paul reminds us to bless God for the blessing He has given us, the blessing in Christ of every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. This Thanksgiving let us first stop to thank God for the “peace that passes understanding,” the “calm in the midst of the storm,” and the “rest we have only in Him, remembering that God is sovereign over all things.”
My study of Ephesians this past month has reminded me of these things. Ephesians 1:11 says God “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” He is at work, and His will is good, even when our understanding cannot yet see or comprehend it. He says that we are to “be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12).
Paul reminds us in chapter three that we can have boldness and confident access to the Father through faith in Christ. In chapter four, Paul implores us “to walk in a manner worthy” of our calling. He says we are to “grow up,” to become a mature follower of Christ, our example. Chapter five says we are to be imitators of God and walk in love as Christ did, giving Himself up for us. Chapter six calls us to put on the full armor of God that we may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil reminding us that the battle is not with flesh but with forces of darkness and wickedness in heavenly places.
New graduate and now RICE student
Victoria from kindergarten
New remodeled kitchen serves over 500 meals a day
This Fall I have been blessed to have a sabbatical for a few months to spend time with family and welcome a new baby granddaughter. This holiday season I will be able to spend with some of my personal family. Most years it is spent with other spiritual family in Liberia. Though I am in the U.S., I am still quite connected to the work and people in Liberia. With WhatsApp, I hear from students, teachers, missionaries, and other workers. Our graduates are set in their continuing education, our younger students continue to learn and grow. Requests continue to come in for materials and training in classical Christian education for other schools and above all hearts are being drawn to the Father.
With thanksgiving, I rejoice in the blessings of the Lord. I am blessed by the wonderful support that you have been and continue to be for this work. I thank God for each one of you who are a part of this work through encouragement, prayer, and financial support. Please continue to pray for God’s willandwork, for we know that the workis His and it is good. Pray for our youth to serve God faithfully, for the gospel to be proclaimed, and for more workers—the harvest is plentiful .
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
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