Ephesians 2- Part 2

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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 not
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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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