We Are In This Together

“She’s talking rudely to me.” He utters as tears fill his eyes.

“Well I’m tired of you hitting the back of my chair!” She quickly counters with that harsh tone that paints a picture of eyes rolling.

I continue driving, praying for words and an attitude of peace. They carry on back and forth, back and forth- who can injure the other more; who will have the last word?

Finally I’ve had enough and proclaim “No one leaves this car until this is settled.”

We continue down the familiar road in silence. One minute goes by, then two, then five. Who will speak first? Who will confess their unkind words and selfish heart? Who will ask forgiveness?

Neither.

Lord, where have I gone wrong?

We are just minutes from the school. “No one has anything to say?” I demand.

“Sorry for my attitude. Will you forgive me?” She finally says.

“Yes. Sorry for being rude.” He replies.

I exhale. I suppose that that will do, Lord. But I was hoping for a little more.

She exits the car and heads into the school. I look back at my son and the tears come again. Ugh, I thought we settled this.

“What’s the matter, buddy?”

“She’s not sorry for calling me THAT name.”

“What name?”

“A big fat liar.”

I remind him that she said she was sorry and asked forgiveness. I tell him that he doesn’t know his sister’s heart and is wrongly judging her motives.

“But I know she’s not sorry for that.”

Do you know how difficult it is to send your children off to school in this state? Do you know that feeling- like you’re watching opponents in a boxing match, each examining the other’s weaknesses, attempting to take their rival down with the hardest blow?

They are family! They are siblings! They are not enemies!

And this is what the Lord is telling ME this morning. YOU are family! YOU are siblings! YOU are not enemies!

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

-Ephesians 2:4-7

God’s people are my family. His servants are my siblings. Those He loves, I must love also, because we are in this together. We were dead in trespasses together, He made us alive together, He raised us up together, and He made us sit together. And when we walk together, the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us is made known for all to see because they will know us by our love (John 13:35.)

Do I portray a God of love and unity, or a God of anger and division? How often I wrongly judge another’s motives and heart’s intent. How many times has He said to me “Don’t you have something to say to her?” And how many times have I remained sitting in silence, walking among the world with division stirring in my heart. How difficult it must be for Him to send me out into the world carrying hatred and anger for His children, my family, my siblings.  We are in this together!

The Grand Canyon 8/2011

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

-John 17:22-23

Like my Facebook page for regular updates.

Four Truths to Live By

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

–Ephesians 1:18-19

18. This is a continuation of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians and it proceeds fourteen verses of explanation regarding who they were in Christ. Here, Paul talks of their understanding (which refers to their feelings, desires, and thoughts) versus their knowledge (facts which have definite meaning); what they feel as opposed to what they know. So often my feelings, desires, and thoughts contradict and overrule what I know as fact- specifically regarding who God is and who I am. This is why I must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Paul prays they become enlightened (instilled with saving grace- we can only fight this battle of the mind by God’s grace), so that they can grasp and walk in a clear understanding of what the facts are; of what their hope (expectation) is in. What are the facts? 1. They were called (personally invited). 2. They received an inheritance abounding in riches and wealth (This is the third time Paul speaks of their inheritance- Maybe inheritances were a big deal to the Ephesians?). 3. They are saints- most holy thing! Wow! Should a most holy thing have a problem with identity and receiving what’s already been given?

19. He goes on- not only does he want them to grasp who they are and what they have received, but also the power of the One who made them who they are and gave them all they have. He pleads for them to grasp this exceeding (surpassing; excelling) strength and ability of God toward us who believe. Beth Moore teaches this word ‘believe’ to be ‘presently, actively, continually believing,’ and it refers to being persuaded and confidently trusting. Paul uses three different words for ‘power’ in this one verse. I think he wants us to grasp one last thing: 4.The power of our God.

My takeaway- What I know must overrule what I feel, desire, and think. I don't always feel or act like a daughter of the King, but that doesn't change the fact that I am. Do not cease to pray for God’s grace to confidently walk in the knowledge that my hope is in Christ and He has called me by name to receive an inheritance overflowing with an abundance of riches and wealth that will not perish. I am a saint; a most holy daughter of the King, and I should walk as that, with my head held high. Before I can walk as a confident ‘princess,’ I must understand the power of the King I’ve been accepted by. WHO IS HE? He made me who I am and has given me all I have. His exceeding strength is toward me, because I believe in Him. I pray that my belief would be not only for this moment, but presently, actively, and continually.

Walk in these truths:

1. I am called

2. I have received an inheritance

3. I am a saint

4. My God is powerful



Like my Facebook page for regular updates.

Ephesians 1:1-14 -Who I Am In Christ

I have completed my first week together with a group of 15 other ladies in the book of Ephesians. If I ever again doubt who I am in Christ, I have only to turn to this first chapter to regain full confidence of my state before Him! I praise God for using Paul to write this letter to the Ephesians and to us.
Go here for a quick Introduction to the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:1-14

(vs 1-2)

Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to God’s will, not the will of any man. Paul was formerly a murderer of Christians, yet God willed him to be a changed man, an apostle, a delegated messenger sent forth with orders. If God can turn a murderer into a messenger of life, what can He do with you and me?

He writes to the saints, those already saved, you and me, and he begins with the words grace and peace. Paul was a zealous man of God. Can you imagine receiving a letter from him? I wonder if the Ephesians’ chests became tight with thoughts of ‘oh dear, what’s he going to say? What have we done wrong?’  Then the letter is read and they hear those words: grace and peace. What a release! What a huge weight lifted off the shoulders of these believers! What a vital message for me as mom, wife, friend. Paul didn’t immediately zero in on the issues of wives submitting to husbands, children honoring parents, or slaves obeying masters (or keeping a clean house, having dinner on the table by 5:00). I want to offer my children grace and peace BEFORE I press them about hanging up their coats, putting their shoes away, or getting their homework finished. How much more willingly they will do these things if grace and peace are in the forefront!

(vs 3-4)

Paul doesn’t attempt to understand, rationalize, or explain every spiritual blessing or what exactly it means that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. Predestination? Isn’t that a can of worms we all want to jump right into? Paul simply rejoices that it is so. He praises God for our blessings and takes comfort in his salvation. Do I think it was easy for Paul to look back and realize that while he was slaying God’s people, God looked upon him and said, “He’s mine. I already chose him.” I doubt Paul could wrap his mind around that! However, he chose to accept it, praise God for it, and walk in it. Because of that, he was able to see himself in the eyes of his Lord as holy and without blame and was able to offer this same confidence to other believers as well. This is a high calling for me as a wife and mom. It is by accepting and walking in my identity in Christ as chosen in Him before the foundation of the world and holy and without blame that peace and grace will flow from me to others.

(vs 5-6)

There’s that controversial issue again- predestined. Only, Paul takes it further and reminds us that we are adopted children. The fact that I’m not a Jew should disqualify me, but no, He adopted me and made me His. Most adopted children don’t resemble their adopted parents, but I resemble my adopted Father, bearing His Spirit, His attributes, being created in His image. Not only are we adopted but we are accepted! I have not adopted children, nor was I adopted by my parents, but I have had foster children in my home, and I know they struggled to feel accepted. They also desperately wanted to be with their unsafe, unhealthy parents because that was the situation they knew and were comfortable in. I was adopted by my heavenly Father almost 14 years ago, yet there are times I still feel unaccepted by my new family. I feel like I don’t quite fit in, yet I don’t fit in with the world anymore either. Adoption can be a tough road, but we ARE accepted in the Beloved. My adoption is final and it brings praise of the glory of His grace.

(vs 7-10) taken from a previous post-

It is only in Jesus Christ that we have redemption from our sins. This redemption is a releasing, a deliverance, a freedom from the price required for my sin, and that price is death. Christ died in my place and I am free! This grace, this receiving what I don’t deserve, is found in His forgiveness and it abounds toward me!  I am to live as one who has received COMPLETE freedom and deliverance. Rather bear the countless horrible things I’ve done, said, or thought on my shoulders, I want to walk in COMPLETE forgiveness (letting the sin go as if it had never been committed) because this is what Christ has done for me! And this forgiveness He made to ABOUND toward me. I like what the online strong’s says about this word ABOUND- “Abounding is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom.”

I feel like that bud, not allowing myself to fully bloom, not receiving the abundance of God’s forgiveness.  The word says He made known to me (confided in me- you only confide in those you trust) His forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. I want to walk in that. If I can only receive this forgiveness toward myself, wouldn’t I be able to freely offer it to others! I sit as if chained in shackles when those shackles have been released! I stay as a caged bird while the door is wide open and freedom one step away. Lord, help me choose to walk in freedom rather than sit in a bondage I’ve been released from.

(vs 11-12)

This word inheritance is different than the one used in verse 14 and is the only time this word is used in the bible. It refers to casting/determining by lots; receiving and inheritance; a private possession we’ve already obtained. Because I am adopted, I am an heir of Christ and a receiver of the inheritance. As the people of Ephesus were growing rich making and selling idols of the goddess Diana, Paul reminds the Christians that they have real, true riches. How easily I’m deceived into coveting this world’s riches rather than embracing the heavenly riches of my inheritance. Yes, oftentimes the ungodly prosper and seem to have it all, but I must trust God’s will for my life. This trusting in Him brings praise because this kind of trust makes no worldly sense and brings all the glory of my life to Him alone. I must not just believe IN Him, but believe Him.

(vs 13-14)

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17). I heard, I trusted, I believed, I was SEALED by the Holy Spirit. This word ‘sealed’ is the same word used in Matt 27:66 when the stone was sealed over Jesus’ tomb, in John6:27 God set a seal on Jesus, in Rev 7:3-8 the tribes and believers are sealed, and my favorite Rev 20:3- God shuts up Satan in the bottomless pit and seals him there. This is a mighty seal! The seal of the Holy Spirit I have CANNOT be broken by Satan and it is secure until the time of REDEMPTION- A releasing affected by payments of ransom. I am already redeemed, but there’s more to come in my REDEMPTION! My redemption will be complete when I am brought into perfection.

I am the PURCHASED POSSESSION! I was purchased by Him and I belong to Him. This word means- a preserving; a preservation. I am reminded of sealed canning jars. Don’t you just love that ‘pop’ of those jars as they seal up one at a time? Such satisfaction! What a picture of His satisfaction when we receive the Holy Spirit and are SEALED- preserved, until the day that we are released from this tent and brought into completed perfect redemption. The Holy Spirit guarantees this! It’s like dumping that jar of pie filling into the crust. Completed! Perfected! Finished!

And the result of ALL OF THIS- to the praise of His glory! May He be praised and glorified through the work He does in this chosen, holy, blameless, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, saved, sealed, purchased possession of His! Wow! No, I will not try to fully understand it all, but to fully believe it and walk in it J

'Forgiven' Sanctus Real You Tube

Like my Facebook page for regular updates.

Ephesians-An Introduction

I’ve been diving into the book of Ephesians with a group of women online, taking it verse by verse, day by day. Before beginning, I decided to set the scene for myself and gain a better understanding of the purpose and heart behind this epistle. This is my intro into the book of Ephesians.

As I study the book of Ephesians, I want to remember, as with all books of the bible, that what I am reading is real. Ephesus was a real place, with real Christians, who had real life issues.  The people of Ephesus were known as Ephesians, and the apostle Paul wrote a very personal letter to the Christians living in Ephesus. This letter was passed around and, because it was found to be not just a simple letter written by an average guy, but rather inspired by the Holy Spirit, it was included in our bible as ‘The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians.’  Although written for this specific group of Christians, the message applies to our lives as well.

The first time we see the city of Ephesus in the bible is in the book of Acts, which tells of the spreading of the gospel and the growth of the church after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Acts18:19-21 tells us that Paul visited Ephesus (about 25 years after Jesus’ death), reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, and left shortly afterward, promising to return, if the Lord allowed. Upon his return, he baptized and laid hands on about twelve disciples, who in turn received the Holy Spirit, spoke with tongues, and prophesied. Paul ministered to these disciples daily for two years and all the Jews and Gentiles heard about Jesus Christ because of him (Acts19:1-10).

The enormous city of Ephesus, with a population of almost ¼ million people, was known all across Asia for its temple and worship of the goddess Diana. Its local merchants made a substantial profit producing handmade goddesses. Yet, as the gospel of Jesus spread, many were converted and their proceeds took a significant hit. Likewise, those practicing magic gave up their traditions, burned their books, and followed the teachings of Christ. This resulted in an enormous riot against Paul and the teaching of the gospel throughout the entire city of Ephesus (Acts 19:11-41). Following the riot, Paul left Ephesus, but was able return for one final visit to encourage the church elders, warn them of the dangers of false doctrine and leaders, and bid them an emotional farewell, assured he would never see their faces again (Acts20:17-38).

After spending two years teaching and living among them, the Christians of Ephesus became near and dear to Paul’s heart, and about three years later, as he sat chained in a Roman prison, Paul took time to write a very heartfelt letter to those in Ephesus. However, these God inspired words are not solely for the church of Ephesus, but for each of us.  So my hope is to take each chapter, each verse, each word, and receive it as a personal letter from my Lord to me. He speaks to us! He has a message for us, and that message is found throughout this book.

So, let’s dig in! I hope you decide to study this book also. Either way, check back occasionally so I can share with you all the jewels He gives me. I look forward to reading yours as well! J

Like my Facebook page for regular updates.

Redemption, Forgiveness, Freedom

This past Monday, I started an online bible study through the book of Ephesians with a group of wonderful women. Wow!  When you take teeny tiny pieces of scripture, write them out, and focus on each little word and phrase, God opens up the floodgate! I am prone to bulldoze through an entire chapter or two, check it off the list, and move on with my day. Generally this results in the question, what was it I read this morning?

Today (day three) we looked at Ephesians 1:7-10.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth- in Him.

Yes, we are moving v-e-r-y  s-l-o-w, and yes, it has been like an abundance of food for my soul to glean from God’s word, His Spirit, and His people! I absolutely love what my sister’s share each day!

I want to share with you my application for today.

I am really challenged to live as one who has received COMPLETE freedom and deliverance from the penalty of my sin. We live in a world that requires you pay the price for your wrongdoing and requires you live your life bearing that wrongdoing... Once a _________ always a _________.  Rather than live the rest of my life bearing the countless horrible things I’ve done, said, or thought on my shoulders, I want to walk in COMPLETE forgiveness (letting the sin go as if it had never been committed) because this is what Christ has done for me! And this forgiveness He made to ABOUND toward me. I like what the online strong’s says about this word ABOUND- “Abounding is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom.”

I feel like that bud, not allowing myself to fully bloom, not receiving the abundance of God’s forgiveness.  The word says He made known to me (confided in me- you only confide in those you trust) His forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. I want to walk in that. If I can only receive this forgiveness toward myself, wouldn’t I be able to freely offer it to others! Lord, help me walk in FREEDOM! I sit as if chained in shackles when those shackles have been released! I stay as a caged bird while the door is wide open and freedom one step away. Lord, help me choose to walk in freedom rather than sit in a bondage I’ve been released from.

 The idea of this study is offered by the Good Morning Girls.

Like my Facebook page for regular updates.