GOD DESIRES FOR ME TO WALK,
BETTER YET, RUN ON THE NARROW ROAD
Eph 4:2 -4 "I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly." ... No more pretense (v. 25).
GOD DESIRES FOR ME TO WAKE UP FROM MY SLEEP
Eph. 5:2, 5 "Keep company with God and learn a life of love...You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God. Wake up from your sleep. Climb out of your coffins. Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!"
GOD DESIRES TO HELP ME IN MY FIGHT TO THE FINISH
Eph. 6:11-13 - "This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them."
Paraphrased from p. 262 in 66 LL from the Book of Ephesians:
DISCERN what's more wrong in you than in the churches you're familiar with
DESCEND into the deep darkness of corruption in your own soul
DISCOVER the power to grasp how wide, how long, how high, how deep is My Son's Love
"The Gospel to me is simply irresistible. Being the man I am, full of pride and envy and hatred...to me, the Gospel of the Grace of God is simply irresistible." Pascal
"Pure Grace & nothing but Grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ." Eph. 6:24.
“do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love…” (Ephesians 4:3) Just a personal reminder for me today.
ReplyDelete“No going along with the crowd”(4:17) Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.”(4:6) When it all could feel so lonely going against the crowd of this world’s philosophies, God gives us a sense of belonging and wholeness (ultimate Oneness) that this world can’t begin to match. He’s so personal with us—the most intimate part of ourselves is Oneness.
“Say only what helps, each word a gift.” (4:29) “Thanksgiving is our dialect.”(5:4) The power of words that connect and assist, the beauty of them, poured out in thanksgiving and love, is a holy gift. Lord, one word comes to mind. Help! (66LL, p. 262)
“prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (6:18) I think of you, Mary Lou, when I read these words and am thankful you recommended the Jennifer Kennedy Dean study on prayer this year. That study has been revolutionary in my understanding the purpose of prayer and how essential it is to release God’s power here to accomplish God’s Work. This verse just sums it all up, doesn’t it!
“Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.” (6:24) I bask in the words of the last two Love Letters. They are such encouragement, salve that heals, food that satisfies.
Sweet Annette, Live a Praying Life has changed me too. So thankful He used it in your life. i didn't post yesterday or the day before when I read your post about your friend who had accepted the Lord and will be able to face Him with her sins forgiven..what a praise. My mother also died on Dec 8,2003. I picture her standing tall and whole and also sitting at the feet of Jesus. Passing on to glory must be wonderful, that is the best gift ever that anyone can receive at any time of the year. Thinking of all of you with a heart full of gratitude for your transparency and love for Him and for others. Love Mary Lou
ReplyDeleteToday, I am breathless, speechless with the transparency of the scripture. God read my mail 2000 years ago. What I struggle with t most, is saying things in a hurtful way. God, make each of my words a gift. No more unhelpful comments.
ReplyDeleteEphesians 4:29"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift."
How many times have I grieved Him? Practically on a daily basis. Oh, how I have broken His heart!
30"Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted."
My prayer for this Christmas season when we are all overwhelmed with business, things we "have" to do for tradition, is this :
Dear God,
Please give me a humble heart, gentle spirit, kind words, sensitivity, and forgivness.
Amen
31 -32"Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."
Jan, your desires are so heartfelt, so stirring to find Him and know Him in midst of your own life. Your words invite me in and draw me close. Always. You have such a humility about you that is just beautiful. Love you friend!
ReplyDelete