Ephesians 2- Part 2

-
Image
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
Post a Comment

Feeling like Pâté

-
Pâté (French pronunciation: [pɑte]; UK: /ˈpæteɪ/, US: /pɑˈteɪ/) is a mixture of cooked ground meat and fat minced into a spreadable paste.

Trust has always been an issue for me.  ...  My distrust of God's plan and love for me used to be strong.  I am so much better about knowing God's word and knowing His character that when daily life isn't so daily... or just isn't easy... I am usually..  able to quickly state the truth (He is slow to anger/ abounding in love)..and go on with life. 

This week..it has been much more difficult.  I discovered John-Michael has two fibromas on his arm and two pecan sized fibromas by or on his spine.  The pea-sized ones on his back are now gumball sized.  John-Michael is growing...and with his body makes growth hormone...this happens.   His next Mri isn't until June.  I refuse to loose my joy and waste my time worrying.  It isn't good for John-Michael, me, or anyone else in my family.

Secondly,  I found out a woman I trusted..gave time, energy, food, money, etc..to for over a year was scamming me and many of my friends.  She said she had cancer and as a result, we watched her young children, brought meals, cooked food... and gave money for her "medical bills'.  The part that hurts most is she KNOWS that John-Michael really does have tumors...  heartbreaking.

Thirdly, we have many other BIG issues that need equally BIG decisions, decisions that need answers that aren't black and white in the Bible.    Please, those who love us, pray for us.

I am thankful that if I choose to go to God...if I choose to open His word... He isn't silent.  I told a friend.. yesterday... that I was worried  and I told her that I knew I wasn't suppose to be.  I told her I knew the Bible verse " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God".. (Phillipians 4:6)  I also told her I was having a very hard time doing that.

Yesterday afternoon I opened my Bible and opened my  devotion (Jesus Calling) to the devotion for April 18th.  Here it is:
Bible Verses: Exodus 16:14-20, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 4:16

Peace is my continual gift to you. It  flows abundantly from My throne of grace. Just as the Israelites could not store up manna for the future but had to gather it daily, so it is with My Peace. The day by day collecting of manna kept My People aware of their dependence on Me. Similarly, I give you sufficient Peace for the present, when you come to me by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. If I gave you permanent Peace, independent for My presence, you might fall into the trap of self-sufficiently. may that never be?   I have designed you to need Me ..moment by moment. As your awareness of your neediness increases, so does your realization of My abundant sufficiency.  I can meet every one of your needs without draining My resources at all.  Approach My throne of grace with bold confidence, receiving My Peace with a thankful heart.

Comments

  1. Vicki MillerApril 19, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    Here are a few more verses I have found encouraging when tempted to worry or yield to hurt feelings... "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
    because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. " Isaiah 26:3-4 and "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free." Psalm 118:5. Thanks for sharing your heart. Praying for you today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vicki MillerApril 20, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    I also wanted to post this to encourage you. I was thinking of writing something on it soon. " Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism." Col. 3:23-25. The good works you displayed towards that woman and her family were seen by God... and He delights in you doing that. When we serve in love, sometimes we can't see the fruit of our labor, but God uses it. Be blessed and keep loving those He brings in your path, as unto Him. He is worthy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RachelpApril 20, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Vicki... thank you for taking me to the Rock higher than I! See you Sunday!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why does God call us sheep?

-
Image
Before you jump to the conclusion that I am saying Christian are "brainless" sheep, read this post completely.  If you still aren't sure, read this post:  Are Christians brainless? Why does He call us SHEEP? ( The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times).   A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23 rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10.  There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep-the  nature of  sheep.  Let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the prote
Read more

Lessons learned the first 50 years

-
Image
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
Read more

Rayman Rabbids Cake- 1/2 Birthday celebration

-
Image
At a certain age... I suppose 18 or so... half-birthdays are no longer as important to you as when you are young.  Right now, the kids love having their 1/2 birthdays celebrated.  We don't do much. We tell them "Happy half-birthday!"... and they are allowed to choose what we have for dinner (within reason... no  super expensive choices .. like crab legs or sushi).  And, they do get to have a  cake.   John-Michael is 8 1/2 today. I haven't had any of my children ask for a character-cake in quite some time...until last night.  We were out very late watching the laser light show at Stone Mountain Park.  A few hours before... John-Michael springs on me that he wants a Rayman Rabbids cake for his half-birthday.  Now, I have church in the morning and knew I wouldn't get home before midnight last night... not much time to figure our how to make that kind of cake.  So, like most things...I just went for it.   I bought Twinkies ...pretty sure the first Twinkies ,,,. th
Read more