Ephesians Week 6

-
 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...
Post a Comment

Holding on to Hope...

-
I have been reading a book by Nancy Guthrie called Holding on to Hope. This is her journey of losing two babies at 6 months of age to a rare genetic issue. In this book she teaches the lessons she has learned and is learning through suffering and grief, while knowing God could have chosen a different path. She starts by having us look at Job from the Bible. You see, the book of Job starts with God saying to Satan…”have you not considered my servant Job?”… As much as we don’t want to see it, God gave Satan permission to hurt Job. Our understanding of a loving God doesn’t comprehend it.
I can’t comprehend why God has woven NF into John-Michael. NF is like a volcano in his life. I don’t know if the NF volcano will lay dormant forever (literally)…or if it will erupt and cause a little damage…....or catastrophic damage. I just don’t know. It is a scary road to be on. However, God’s word…and my own life experiences, has shown that God is faithful and God is good. When I can’t see the goodness, I have to trust in His character and not just look at the circumstances in my life. My faith doesn’t make the journey hurt any less but my faith keeps me from being swallowed up by despair.
Jesus understands. Isaiah 53:3 says “He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness.” Hebrews 5:7-9 says “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” Jesus, perfect, sinless… wrestled with God’s plan, but He submitted to it. We might cry out to God with frustration and with questions about how He could have the power to heal and yet chooses not to heal.. We might agonize in an effort to reconcile our understanding of a loving God with one who allows atrocities, rejections, abuses, illnesses, etc. Jesus understands. He understands what it is to cry out to the Father, who has the power to make another way, but choose not to. God required such intense suffering of his son whom He loved to “accomplish a holy purpose. He has a purpose for your pain and my pain”, says Nancy Guthrie. She reminds us that scriptures say the main purpose is to make us look like Christ. It is often pain that refines our character and removes selfish, sinful attitudes. I do believe God has a purpose for the pain in our lives. It is for our ultimate good, even though everything about it looks and feels bad. James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. MORE TO COME>>> Joy in the midst of Trial....

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why does God call us sheep?

-
Image
Before you jump to the conclusion that I am saying Christian are "brainless" sheep, read this post completely.  If you still aren't sure, read this post:  Are Christians brainless? Why does He call us SHEEP? ( The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times).   A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23 rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10.  There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep-the  nature of  sheep.  Let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the pro...
Read more

Lessons learned the first 50 years

-
Image
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that a...
Read more

Ephesians 2- Part 2

-
Image
Study and learn. Be changed.  Ephesians 2 Made Alive in Christ 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9...
Read more