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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Are you owned by what you can't afford?

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Why do people who say they KNOW who they are in Christ choose to enslaving themselves to status symbols such as new cellphones, new cars, giant TVs, lavish vacations, etc?    (Remember for Galatians 4 says) ... It just leads to not being able to pay your bills on time...or you have to overwork yourself to pay the bills.     My husband and I learned this lesson 14 years ago... Until that point, we didn’t have a budget.    We went out to eat several times a week... bought with credit. bought ... more than we could afford..... Now, we buy only what we actually need. When our car dies, we buy an older car with a few miles...not new. When we have a “date night”, we go to a place we can afford.     We made a budget and we stick to it. I don’t have a phone that goes on the Internet... I color my own hair every other month... I buy things on sale! Do these things  make me sad?     No, it makes me free! I don’t feel that I have been cheated or that there are things that I want. The things that really matter can’t be bought. My family, my friends...time together..these are  the things that REALLY matter...     The things that do MATTER.. you don’t purchase...you can't purchase. I hope all of America learns this lesson and enjoys the peace that comes from it!
What does the Bible say? Romans 13:8
8Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one's fellowmen, meeting all its requirements]."Owe no man anything" (Rom. 13:8) It doesn't mean "Don't borrow anything" — it means "Don't refuse to pay your bills."
How about "The borrower is slave to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7)?

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 This verse is reporting an economic fact! Debt reduces freedom, because you are obligated to work to pay the debt, regardless of what else you might be tempted to do...

What else does the Bible say?
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; Psalm 37:21

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Sometimes spending more than you make means you are NOT trusting in what God has for you...that you are coveting your neighbor's stuff....   Where should our trust be?

Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7
 
Praying you find freedom......

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