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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Trusting in WHO?

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I think I used to have a PHD in worry.   God has been working on this in me daily for over  4 years....and in a slow and painful process he is helping me to stop trying to help him. (I tend to try to get a Junior-god pin). I also instinctively want to trust myself and my own abilities instead of going to my creator. I used to stupidly and full of pride shake my fist at God. It is hard to fathom that I was stupid enough to do that....and do that for years. He has been so gracious and merciful to me.

So, my trust issues with people had spilled over to trust issues with God. I wanted to trust in no one to take care of me...other than myself. However, experience and God's gentle correction, I have learned to trust only in Him. I love how Psalm 25:3 says no one who's hope is in God is put to shame. I love how Psalm 37:25-26 says King David was young and now he is old and he had never seen the righteous forsaken. Those are the things that bring me comfort when I want to revert to old ways.

I also have been thinking about Philippians 2:14...Do everything without complaining. You know, as I have said before...complaining is like whistling for the devil. I Don't want to let Satan still my joy. When we choose to magnify the bad, it appears larger than it really is. However, when we choose to magnify God, we begin to get a clearer picture of reality. With confidence in God's goodness, we can approach life in a healthy balanced way that acknowledges the hearth aches and disappointments of life but still chooses to see God's redemptive power at work.

Even now, as I reflect on the outcome of John - Michael's surgery..I have to fight the temptation to worry..to try to figure out how I can solve things..instead of  going to the ONE who REALLY can.  So, I pray that none of the other fibromas are actually plexiform fibromas...I pray that he never needs surgery again.  I pray no more days of his childhood are taken from Neurofibromatosis.  I look to the God who see ME..... so, can you see God's blessings around you?

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