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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Purpose keeps you young

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The older I get ... the more my gratitude grows for those older than me who keep young by living out a purpose.  Think about it!  A thousand years ago, the typical lifespan was 24 years of age.  A child that was born 100 years ago lived to be 50.   A child born today can expect to live to 80.   Why?  Why is this generation living longer than any other generation?  Is it to just fish through retirement?  To walk the beaches in Florida?  Is it to check out on others before you "check out"?   Of course NOT!    Psalm 92: 14 tells us that we shall "still bear fruit in old age".    Fruit... that's our purpose.  Purpose keeps you young.   I am thankful for the older people in my life who look for ways to bear fruits of  love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.   I am thankful for my dad who doesn't let  the chronic  pain  in his back force him to tell others he can't help them.  I am thankful for my mother in law who still volunteers at the hospital even though she is admitted too often to the hospital herself.   I am thankful for Cheryl who doesn't let her age dictate what she can and can't do and who she can help...and how many  four legged and two legged ones she can help.  I am thankful for AnnaLou who is still up for new friendships and investing in others.

I am thankful for you older people that stay young through answering God's call... His purpose for you! Thank you for modeling that well!  May I be the same...  



Psalm  92: 12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

 Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.

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