Saturday, March 7 - Ephesians 5
"Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the Lord consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
At times I wonder what the will of God is for me. I questions which direction God would have me go. What if God is not as nearly concerned about which direction I go, but more concerned about who I am? What if God's desire is the development of my character? What if God's concern is not where I go on vacation, which house I purchase or where I work, but that I am living my life in a way that pleases God?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, March 6
Friday, March 6 - Ephesians 4
My thoughts have changed dramatically over the last hour. The last hour is how long I have been trying to post something. During that hour my computer has crashed three times. This has been a very frustrating experience. Each time just as I was ready to hit the "publish post" button, it crashed. So now the part of the passage has my complete attention is:
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger...."
Enough said.
My thoughts have changed dramatically over the last hour. The last hour is how long I have been trying to post something. During that hour my computer has crashed three times. This has been a very frustrating experience. Each time just as I was ready to hit the "publish post" button, it crashed. So now the part of the passage has my complete attention is:
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger...."
Enough said.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thursday, March 5
Thursday, March 5 - Ephesians 3
"to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus demonstrated the truth of these words. The love God is so great for me, that nothing can separate me from that love. The problem for me is the first two words, "to grasp". It is difficult to imagine such a love. The odd thing, is that while it is difficult to grasp, I must confess that at times I take it for granted.
"to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus demonstrated the truth of these words. The love God is so great for me, that nothing can separate me from that love. The problem for me is the first two words, "to grasp". It is difficult to imagine such a love. The odd thing, is that while it is difficult to grasp, I must confess that at times I take it for granted.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday, March 4
Wednesday, March 4 - Ephesians 2
"For it is by grace you have been saved, thruogh faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so no one can boast."
Grace is God's gift to me. The possibility of relationship with God is God's gift to me. I can not earn this, I can not deserve this. My only role in this is to decide whether to receive the gift. This passage puts my relationship with God in perspective. The relationship is built on God's goodness, not mine. I can never be good enough or work hard enough to earn the relationship. What I can do is live a life of gratitude in response to what God has done.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, thruogh faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so no one can boast."
Grace is God's gift to me. The possibility of relationship with God is God's gift to me. I can not earn this, I can not deserve this. My only role in this is to decide whether to receive the gift. This passage puts my relationship with God in perspective. The relationship is built on God's goodness, not mine. I can never be good enough or work hard enough to earn the relationship. What I can do is live a life of gratitude in response to what God has done.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, March 3
Tuesday, March 3 - Ephesians 1
In Greek verses 3-14 is one sentence. Paul is so caught up into giving praise to God that he keeps adding more reasons to give praise. He praises God for choosing the people to be his children, for redemption from sin, for the seal of the Holy Spirit..... So if Paul did that maybe I should. In my prayer time this morning I am going to spend time giving God praise. Praise for all that God has done for me and for those I love. I invite you to do the same.
In Greek verses 3-14 is one sentence. Paul is so caught up into giving praise to God that he keeps adding more reasons to give praise. He praises God for choosing the people to be his children, for redemption from sin, for the seal of the Holy Spirit..... So if Paul did that maybe I should. In my prayer time this morning I am going to spend time giving God praise. Praise for all that God has done for me and for those I love. I invite you to do the same.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday, March 2
Monday, March 2 - Galatians 6
Several people yesterday mentioned how I seem to be up in the middle of the night posting. The clock on this blog is wrong. Most mornings I am posting between 5:30 - 6:30 AM.
What passage spoke to you?
"A man reaps what he sows....Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
The basic principal is that as I treat others, they will treat me. There are always exceptions, but sometimes in America we get so caught up on the exceptions that we reject the principal. As I am kind, loving, and generous towards others, especially in the family of believers, they will be so towards me. What I reap in my relationships is what I have sown into them.
Several people yesterday mentioned how I seem to be up in the middle of the night posting. The clock on this blog is wrong. Most mornings I am posting between 5:30 - 6:30 AM.
What passage spoke to you?
"A man reaps what he sows....Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
The basic principal is that as I treat others, they will treat me. There are always exceptions, but sometimes in America we get so caught up on the exceptions that we reject the principal. As I am kind, loving, and generous towards others, especially in the family of believers, they will be so towards me. What I reap in my relationships is what I have sown into them.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, March 1
Sunday, March 1 - Galatians 5
What verse spoke to you in this chapter?
"For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the children of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
Who am I? What defines my life? How am I to live? Paul uses this chapter to answer these questions over and over. I am a child of God. I have come out of the darkness of sin to live in the light of God. What he is saying is that I should never forget this and allow this to shape how I live. This is the will of God for my life.
What verse spoke to you in this chapter?
"For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the children of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
Who am I? What defines my life? How am I to live? Paul uses this chapter to answer these questions over and over. I am a child of God. I have come out of the darkness of sin to live in the light of God. What he is saying is that I should never forget this and allow this to shape how I live. This is the will of God for my life.
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