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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The Gift of You

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Why are we here? What's life about?  Is it to get as much money as we can before we die even though we take none of it with us?  We can all name millionaires who have committed suicide or accidentally died from drugs, trying to fill up their own hurts. Therefore, we know that money does NOT buy happiness or fulfillment.  Is it to live a life as self-centered as possible; would that bring happiness?  I think anyone that is over 40 can affirm that the most special and memorable times in their lives are when they put others first.  Why is this true? Because God gave us purpose, and told us what He wants us to do to in Matthew 22. 

  36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[     

God calls us to have love for one another. Love is the Greek word AGAPE, meaning good-will, concern, affection for one another It is a unselfish love rather than a self-serving love.      Jesus tells us that the person who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for Jesus’s sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)  True life, a life not wasted, is a life of service, making a difference for others.  Giving of ourselves seems foolish to selfish people, but when lived out, we see experience the happiness we possess when we put on love for others. Giving your life away to others, caring for their needs, will give a sense of purpose and fulfillment beyond anything the world can provide.  Life’s meaning is not found in getting more for yourself, but in giving more of yourself.  Jesus illustrated this by His own life. He was the servant King, who humbled Himself and served others.
But, how do you live that out? How does one really love like Jesus? How does one give the gift of service? 

Karen Ehman wrote Listen, Love, Repeat (Other-centered living in a Self-Centered World). She walks us through God’s word to show us how God tells us to listen to people, build relationships with people, give of yourself, and how to help people through tremendous loss.  She discusses how to love the lonely or the cranky. She discusses in practical steps how to scatter kindness.  Does this seem overwhelming?  Karen points out that Jesus “didn’t preach to everyone, heal everyone, comfort everyone…”, but he did  show go where God told Him to go and do what He told Him to do… loving the people He placed before Him.    So, get this book as a gift to yourself so you can gift yourself to others.
Philippians 2     Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!  9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.  12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Did you see that?   Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (NAS, Philippians 2:3-4)

Each of us has something to give.   Whatever you are, you should share and love generously, even the cranky ones.. When we do, we fulfill God's purposes and find true meaning and fulfillment in our own lives. By loving others through kindness, we bring glory to our Loving Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).





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