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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Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

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It is so reassuring when you can see God's fingerprints on your life. You know He is working, but you can't always see it. You know He sees you, but you can't always see Him. You know that He loves, but you can't always feel this love. That's when you have to remember to look for the stones (see my post from last week..or read Joshua 4..lol). God gave me Psalm 62:8 in 2008. I found the verse and felt God say I am saying this to you, Rachel Taylor Pate. Then, the next day, my girlfriend, Kathy Lee, said, "God gave me this verse for you, Psalm 62:8." The verse says, "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." You see, I have had an on-going problem of self-reliance.....how can RAchel Pate fix this... and I have had a problem with trust of others...yes...even trust with God. It is easy to trust God and pour out my heart to Him when things are good....it is another story when things are hard. Faith has feet during these times. Honestly, I didn't FEEL like reading scripture this week, but I KNEW it was what I needed... needed for strength, needed for knowing I am loved and that John-Michael is loved, and needed for Faith itself. So, God gave me a new verse for 2011... "Psalm 61:2- From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I." I know intellectually that is is asinine to trust in Rachel Pate..and not the Lord..but you know what, my emotions aren't very smart. :) Thankfully, I have a Father that sees. I have a Father that is "higher than I".
Thanks for walking the journey with me.

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  1. LauraSJanuary 21, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Rachel,
    I thank God for your sweet gentle spirit and for Him getting us together in a time when I really needed a friend. A friend who would speak truth to me while loving me as Jesus would. I know I get busy in my crazy life and forget to keep in touch, please forgive me. You and your family are always in my heart, often on my mind, and frequently in my prayers. Thank you for your friendship.
    Love, Laura

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