Ephesians Week 6

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 Ephesians 5   5  1  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children   2  and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.   4  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.   5  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [ a ]   6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.   7  Therefore do not be partners with them. 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light i...
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Hiding Place

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Sometimes we just need a hiding place; a place to be protected either mentally, physically, emotionally, or all of the above. I am so guilty of not going to the correct hiding place for comfort and protection. Too often I fall back into old habits of looking to other things to temporarily comforting me instead of going to the ONE that can give that comfort permanently. Sometimes I am mad and don't want to go to Him. "How could He allow this to happen to me? To us?" Sometimes I am hurt and He is the last I want to run to....my own pride is in the way.

God gave me such a good picture of this a few days ago. I was cutting the grass and I noticed a "leaf" that I was about to run over with the mower..but I stopped and looked again. A butterfly, a beautiful, black butterfly with blue detail. ..a black swallowtail butterfly like the photo above, except for one major detail. It had a torn wing. It appeared as if a bird had attempted to eat it and decided better of it. So, it laid there unable to do much other than hop around. I shut off the mower and gently picked it up and placed it on a butterfly bush. It did NOT want me to pick him up as he was thrashing around the best he could....if only it could understand that I was trying to help him. If only it understood that I had the knowledge and material (the butterfly bush) where he could live at least a few more days if not weeks, in peace. He immediately jumped off the "hiding place" into the heat of the grass. Again, I gently picked him up, sheltering him from the sun, and placed him on a flower. Again, he jumped out of the safe hiding place, onto the grass. At this point, I picked him up again and moved him into the shade and a large batch of Mexican petunia. He stayed and I watched him for awhile ...walking away...thinking. If the butterfly had just stayed the first time, he wouldn't have been so stressed. If he had just trusted me to help him, it would haven't fallen over and over again. How like people! We don't want to trust the LORD. We don't want to REST in His hands...especially when we are scared and tired.
Relax in his hands. Seek him for protections. Let Him spread protection over you !

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 5:11But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

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