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



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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.

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White as Snow

This is what we woke to this morning. No it’s not much, but we are hoping for more! Who doesn’t anticipate a day filled with snow? I know my kids do, and I don’t think it’s just because they get to skip school for a day. Yes, they enjoy standing under falling flakes, constructing snow men, and taking advantage of the opportunity to throw frozen balls of ice at one another’s face, while mom is totally ok with it. But what else is it about snow?

Snow- it blankets the ground with cleanliness and purity. It covers all the dirt, mud, muck, and grime that life leaves behind. What a perfect glimpse of God’s holiness! What a wonderful picture of His righteousness which covers our imperfections!

Just as He chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love 

-Ephesians 1:4

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

-2 Corinthians 5:21

That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

–Ephesians 5:27

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless 

-2 Peter 3:14

Just as the snow eventually melts, reminding us again of the filth surrounding us, our sins and failures can fill our thoughts, clouding the truth of who we are before God. Let us be diligent to walk in the righteousness we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We ARE white as snow. We ARE blameless before God. We are set apart and sanctified. When the enemy throws our sins before us, we CAN confidently throw the holiness we have in Christ right back at him because we ARE clean, we ARE washed, we ARE holy in Christ.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

-1 John 1:7

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It is Written

This morning I read about the temptation of Jesus in Matthew chapter 4. The preceding chapter tells us that Jesus was baptized by a reluctant (who wouldn’t be) John the Baptist. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove, and an audible voice spoke from heaven proclaiming “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:13-17). What a glorious moment this must have been! I am constantly seeking to envision these events as exactly that, actual events; to see them as more than a simple ‘story’ from a book, but rather real life occurrences with real living people. When it comes to the life of Jesus however, it is the most daunting task because, well, He was and is not only Man but God. It doesn’t really get any more complicated than that. So, I am left struggling to relate to the life of this God-Man.

However, as I read this morning, I’m able to see some of my own circumstances and difficulties. It seems that immediately following this wondrous event, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1). What a way to ruin a perfectly wonderful day! Looking back on my own baptism years ago, I recall it being so foundational for me; knowing nothing of the scriptures, only that I desperately needed Christ, I came out of that water a changed child of God. There was no dove or audible voice from heaven, but the Spirit of God was active in my life, and has been ever since. I wish I could say I have walked in obedience to Him from that moment on, but no, I still am and always will be a work in progress. And His incessant message to me: YOU ARE MY BELOVED.

It wasn’t until I read this passage again this morning that I realized these are the exact words the Father said regarding His Son, “This is My beloved Son.” 

Oh how often I need this reminder! Remind me again, Lord, remind me again! I can’t help but pay special attention to the fact that Satan tried desperately to make Jesus doubt who He was “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” And again “If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down” (Matt 4:3,6). Now, I’m in no way implying Jesus ever doubted his identity as the Son of God, but there is no question Satan tried desperately to tempt Him into doing so. Likewise I have no doubt he tempts me in the same way and truth be told, he is quite successful at times.

How do I defeat my enemy in this battle? How do I proclaim victory from doubt? Exactly how Jesus did: with the Word of God. There it is again, the Word of God. Are you growing weary yet? Have I frustrated you into deleting my web address so you never have to endure this again? God is urgently trying to speak to one of us, and I presume it must be YOU! (Just kidding! Please know I never share something He is not actively striving to teach me. I suspect I gain substantially more from my ramblings than you do!) Jesus combated Satan’s lies with scripture “It is written” “It is written” “It is written” (Matt 4:4,7,10). Do you know what is written? When Satan says you are not God’s, can you swing that sword, confidently proclaiming “Away with you, Satan! It is written that I have been redeemed! It is written that I have been called by name! It is written that I am a child of God!” (Isa 43:1)? Lord, I pray You would grant us strength to live according to the example of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we

are, yet without sin.

-Hebrews 4:15

 

Voice Of Truth - Casting Crowns- YouTube

Images courtesy of: http://wallpaper4god.com/en/background_jesus-baptism-2/, http://wordincarnate.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/the-appearing-of-our-blessed-hope/, http://taitegallery.net/2011/03/if-parody.html, http://greg-hansen.com/albums/armorofgod.html, http://www.kineticfaith.com/blog/?tag=temptation

Not as it Seems

Our family wrapped up the story of Joseph last night.  What a man with a testimony! I pray for even just a measure of the faith he had in the God of his fathers. We joked about Jacob’s “last words” to his sons (Genesis chapter 49) concluding they sound far more like curses than blessings.  Oh how many of the twelve must have been dreading that moment! However, the final words to Joseph (the most favored) reflect not only his earthly father’s love, but his Heavenly Father’s approval, and intended purpose throughout his life.

One key thing sticks out to me over and over again

throughout the history of Joseph:

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM.

Joseph was a real man, with real parents, real brothers, real ambitions, and real problems. Most importantly, Joseph was a man who served a real God.  That living God gave Joseph dreams; dreams of rising in power over his brothers and even his own parents (Gen 37:5-11). Shortly after these dreams, Joseph was captured by his brothers and sold to a band of Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. He became a slave of Potiphar and was thrown into prison on false accusations by Potiphar’s wife. Some rise to power that is! Can you imagine Joseph sitting in prison, an innocent man, praising God and thinking “I am exactly where God wants me!” It’s happened before (Acts 16:25)! Is that the state of mind I would be in? I hardly think so! However, the scriptures reveal that Joseph was unlike most men. Over and over again they tell us the LORD was with Joseph, the LORD made all he did to prosper, the LORD showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of those over him. Despite the hardship and pain Joseph experienced emotionally, physically, and spiritually, Joseph’s LORD was always with him, and Joseph knew it.

Have you been in a similar place? Has God spoken to you and given you a promise? Has He shown you gifts? Did He reveal that you would teach others, pray in tongues, journey to a foreign land, receive a gift of healing or intercession?  Perhaps He simply said that you would adopt, gain employment, receive a raise, or just that everything would be ok. Have things gone at all the way you expected? Maybe events have taken a turn in the opposite direction. I know I’ve been there: certain I heard God speak, then not seeing any sign of the promise, I doubted God, doubted it was His voice I heard, doubted His plans for me. I wonder if Joseph ever doubted. Possibly. Whether he did or not, He knew God was good, right, and perfect regardless of his circumstances. Just as Abraham knew that God would simply raise his son Isaac from the dead after the sacrifice (Heb 11:17-19), Joseph knew the God of his fathers was a God to be trusted.

I think Joseph’s heart is revealed as he comforts his fearful brothers - “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen 50:19-20). Joseph discerned not only dreams, but that things were not always as they seemed. Joseph trusted in His God.

Lord, I ask for Your help to walk by faith and not by sight. I pray You would remind me every day, every minute, every second if necessary of the promises You have bestowed upon me. Your Word says that all my days are written in Your Book. When things don’t go as I expect, please help me to trust that You know the end from the beginning; that You are not surprised, shocked, stumped, or unsure about what to do with my circumstances.  Remind me what a big God You really are; what a big God I serve, and help me to truly serve You.  ~Amen

A New Name

Last night my family read and meditated on Genesis Chapter 45.  Here we see Joseph finally reveal his identity to the brothers standing before him.  Overcome with love and a longing to know the welfare of his family, Joseph asks about his father Israel, or shall we call him Jacob… The final two verses in this chapter reveal the complexity of the father of 12.

“But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” (Gen 45:27-28)

You see, Jacob was a cheat, a liar, a deceiver, the list goes on.  One night, God not only meets Jacob, but physically wrestles with him.  The deceptive cheat that he is, Jacob does not give up the fight and the scripture says, “[God] saw that He did not prevail against him” and therefore knocked Jacob’s hip socket out of joint (Gen 32:25). After some pleading and begging on Jacob’s part to be blessed, God grants him a new name: Israel. Overnight the man is transformed from a dirty, rotten, no good liar, into a Prince with God! Or is he? Time and again I have questioned why this man, after receiving his new name is sometimes referred to by that new name, and other times simply recognized again as the old Jacob.  When God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, he was never again known by the old man Abram.  Nor was Sarah called Sarai or Paul called Saul. So I ask the question: why Jacob?

Maybe we need to ask ourselves this same question.  Have we received a new name as a child of God?  Has He wiped away the old woman and resurrected in us a new identity?  If the answer is yes, then He has triumphantly prevailed in our lives. However, what if our situation resembles Jacob’s: one minute known as Jacob, the next as Israel; one minute wallowing in sorrow, pain, self-pity, and unbelief, the next minute standing in confidence of God’s work, only to turn back in doubt, frustration, and fear? The scripture says God did not prevail against Jacob, Jacob prevailed (Gen 32:25,28). Has God prevailed in your life?  Has God prevailed in mine?

God tells me He loves me and He says I am His beloved.  Do you see this?  Beloved = BeLoved!  To be His beloved, I must be loved!  I must receive His love and so walk in it (Rom 6:4). As I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5), casting aside the strongholds and lies of Satan which tell me I am stupid, fat, ugly, incapable, unworthy, and UNLOVED, then and only then do I begin to walk in my new identity.  So today I choose to cast aside the old me and put on the new me. Today I am the Beloved!

Jason Gray 'Remind Me Who I Am' -You Tube

-Scriptures taken from the New King James Version