Ephesians Challenge 4

Ephesians 4

1  I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service,2  Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.3  Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.4  [There is] one body and one Spirit--just as there is also one hope [that belongs] to the calling you received--5  [There is] one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6  One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.7  Yet grace (God’s unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and bounteous] gift. (Amplified Bible)

This is easier said than done! I could give you a laundry list of every time I have fallen on my face in these areas (it would take a lot of paper). However the challenge is still there for me. God wants to rise me to His world. I would rather bring God down to mine. Since I have no standards, I will accept things that are far from the ways of our Lord ... unless I live my life according to Him and not me. That's why putting Him first puts everything in a new perspective. I know from personal experience that with me first, I will waste my life. Please consider rising above my standard and letting God take flight with you. Isaiah 40:31 " But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired." (Amplified Bible) 

We all will want to look back with confidence that our brief life was lived counted as worthy of the calling. We may be leading those whose whole life is in front of them. Let's rise to the call and leave the results to God.

In Christ,

Dan

Ephesians Challenge Chapter 3

Ephesians 3 Verse 10  [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.11  This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord,12  In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).

According to this passage the vast wisdom of God is to revealed through the church. We understand this to be the body of believers. How can we be an active participant in revealing God’s great wisdom? According to John 15 we get it through the vine of Christ by staying connected to the father who removes the branches that do not have real life (which bears fruit). I believe many times we miss the blessings of God by failing to see His purpose in our place in the body of Christ – bearing fruit. That is where we find real complete joy (John 15:11). It is impossible to have the wisdom of God without being connected to the source. As we continue on mission with Him He will do His work in us then through us.

This is one of my favorite passages. I hope it ministers to you as it does to me.

Ephesians 3:13 “So I ask you not to lose heart [not to faint or become despondent through fear] at what I am suffering in your behalf. [Rather glory in it] for it is an honor to you.14  For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15  For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].16  May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].17  May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,18  That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];19  [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!20  Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far overand above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--21  To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)” - Amplified Bible.

Hope you have a day that just blesses your socks off.

In Christ,

Dan

Ephesians Challenge Chapter 1

Ephesians deals with divine election. It is the most debated doctrines in theology today. One thing that may help is to remember 1. God is sovereign. I don't feel qualified to comment on God's ability to rule the creation & the created. He knows what's best and has put the plan into place that predestined us to be adopted as true children. He knew who would accept Him though divine foreknowledge, and put everything in place in order for us to have a choice to do that. He had to be fair and create those who would not choose Him. He loves them just as much and does not desire their destruction, but their redemption through His Son. Since the word God Elohim means Gods (actually a plurality of one), to be fair He gave Himself for us. We understand Him to be Emanuel, Jesus Christ, God with us. 

1:7 says "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in tChrist would be to the praise of His glory." (NASB)


Wow, what else could we ask for. We have a God who loved us as sinners and wants no one to perish. And cared enough to leave His throne to dwell among us. How great is our God!


Have a great week in Him.
Dan

Romans Challenge Chapter 16

Jesus prayed in John 17 for us to be one as He and the father are one. That is God's plan. How can that be? Romans 8 talks about the spirit testifying to our spirit that we are children of God. Our spirit will have peace through the simple plan God has to bring us into His complete joy.
17  I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them.18  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetitesand base desires, and by ingratiating and flattering speech, they beguile the hearts of the unsuspecting and simpleminded [people].19  For while your loyalty and obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you well versed and wise as to what is good and innocent and guileless as to what is evil.20  And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you. (Amplified Bible)


Satan's plan is to destroy that joy. The scripture is permeated with scriptures about joy. It also says the joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of theLord is your strength."  


That undermines the strength Satan has and threatens him into driving fear into our midst. From fear of not getting our way to fear of being wronged or hurt again. Concentrate on great things God has done and will do. Walk in joy, faith and unity being content where He has you serving and your joy will return. He wants it to be complete so trust and obey that His plan is best and you will walk in love and fellowship with Him as the Lord leads.


"The love of Christ compels us,"
Dan

Romans Challenge Chapter 10

Paul's prayer is that his fellow churchmen might be saved. As Jesus he was born Jewish (God's chosen people). As we read further we see a rejection of the Spirit of God. We all are capable of grieving God in certain ways (Ephesians 4:30). Rejection of His Spirit is something that we should all take serious. Romans 8:16 talks about the Spirit testifying (agreeing) with our spirit that we are His. If we are His we know when we are not right with Him. Then we look at how beautiful the feet of the one with good news. Romans 10:13  "For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. 14  But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?15  And how can men [be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!]" (Amplified Bible) 
So do you think our feet will look different when we get to heaven? I don't have the best looking feet. In fact my toenails are getting downright scary. 


So how can we respond so it not be said of this generation of God's people 21...  All day long I have stretched out My hands to a people unyielding and disobedient and self-willed [to a faultfinding, contrary, and contradicting people]? 


I believe if we trust God by putting feet to what we believe and share (as the Spirit of the Lord brings those in our world to us to be drawn to Him.) Share what? The story of Jesus (our personal testimony) by telling how our life is different since encountering Him. Are you not ready for that? I encourage you to pray for those you encounter today, tomorrow and for one month. They may be lost. Then God will  eventually start to use you as He prepares your heart for those He intends to reach with His good news. Prepare your testimony and share as He leads and you will be on mission with Him. Then He can do more with you than you can think or imagine and we will be able to say with confidence what great things He has done. 


Thankfully,
Dan

Romans Challenge Chapter 8

There is a lot here but the theme that jumped out today was life by the Spirit. That is the challenge to us is to not go back to what may make more sense. Satan is always challenging what the spirit is doing. Knowing scripture is key to understanding the real deal. In 8:6 we are told "Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.8  So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.9  But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]...13  For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.14  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15  For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! 
(Amplified Bible) 


How can we experience the new life that is intended? John 15:5 and following tells us to remain in the vine. We are not the vine but are branches. The vine gives life sustaining "Spirit" (of God) to remain alive, grow and be productive.


Stay in the vine. There is an enemy that will lie and tell you that is not necessary. We all need wisdom to follow God's plan and not take off on our own.


Be intentional; ask the enemy to leave and follow God's ways.


In Christ,
Dan

Romans Challenge Chapter 1

Romans Challenge - I encourage you to read the book of Romans with us this month. We will be commenting from time to time and I would like your input as the word speaks personally to you. Thanks for reading through Acts with us. I hope it lifted you up as it did me.


In Chapter 1 Paul's calling and commitment are clear. His primary focus was to preach the Gospel - Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . . —1 Corinthians 1:17 Oswald Chambers talks about that today in today's Utmost for His Highest. We all have a primary focus for our life in Christ. We are commissioned to spread the good news of Christ. When we look at what Jesus commanded us to do our life takes on new meaning. 


As the chapter goes on he talks about our spiritual condition that keeps us in Christ. Does that mean I'm then lost when I sin? No! You are Christ's. It means you will lose focus and your spiritual condition is starting to suffer. You're getting ready to open yourself up for a spiritual battle that will take on a life of it's own because the enemy is involved. It will be impossible to continue the same trek because of discouragement and lack of zeal that only comes from God.
It attack our thought process first and starts the spiritual virus that effects every area of our life. We look fine on the outside, but on the inside we are a wreck and spiritual growth is stunted while we are here. The enemy has been working the same way for millenniums. That's how believers begin the process of becoming what Christ calls "whitewashed tombs." Looking good on the outside and rotting inside Matt 23:27. Was Christ being critical? He came to earth because of a spiritual condition that only He has the cure (antiviral hardware) for. His desire is to clean us up and get us running to accomplish our full potential. This deeply concerns Him because without Him involved we are building a spiritual house of cards that will be blown down at the first storm. He is the answer and we can find the code for breaking the virus in Him. Start on the road to a full life in Him today.

In Christ,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 28

God had just put them safely in Malta when a snake bit Paul in front of everyone there. He is setting up camp & suddenly a deadly snake attaches itself and will not let go. Justice (which may have been understood as the goddess of avenging) has not permitted him to live was their thinking. What do we think when things happen that we don't understand? When he did not die they decided he must be a god. When we really live what God says we do not panic (Paul went on about his day), but we trust God in all things. Until that happens we cannot live the power of the cross. We will be on the reactionary yo-yo living a life of fear driving out the presence of God in our daily activity. Paul could have had a meltdown and said; God you have nearly killed me, I've just survived a shipwreck because they would not listen when I told them I've been taking with you, and now you allow me to get snake-bitten and die. Don't tell me you haven't had days and responses like that because we all have. Right then instead of making that meltdown phone call if you can muster up some trust in God He will sustain you and show His power then He can be a tremendous inspiration to others using your life of faith. What do our meltdowns do to hinder that? More later...

In Christ,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 26

This is one of my favorite stories. Paul is appealing to King Agrippa. The king wants firsthand knowledge (Paul's testimony) to help make a recommendation. Festus didn't know what to tell Rome. Paul gives his testimony in just a few minutes. Have you worked on your testimony? We should have a 3 minute department store, a 10 minute lunch version, and 30 minute large group worship version. Everyone who has accepted Christ has a story of our encounter with Him. All Paul's friends saw the light, but only Paul heard the voice of God. 15  "And I said, Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.16  But arise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, that I might appoint you to serve as [My] minister and to bear witness both to what you have seen of Me and to that in which I will appear to you,17  Choosing you out [selecting you for Myself] and delivering you from among this [Jewish] people and the Gentiles to whom I am sending you--18  To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me". 


Then Paul is hoping King Agrippa will accept Christ after his testimony. Paul knew God was working on him and King Agrippa did not deny it. Only the Lord knows if he let his position on earth keep him from having a position in heaven. We all have that choice. I encourage you to choose the right one.


Saved through the encounter,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 24

Acts 24:16 " Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men... 25 But as he (Paul) continued to argue about uprightness, purity of life (the control of the passions), and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and terrified and said, Go away for the present; when I have a convenient opportunity, I will send for you." (Amplified Bible)

Have we become numb to the bombarding of info that we see from murder, war, martyrdom, to purity of life issues that modern communication accepts and trows out there daily in all varieties of ways. We can just choose a desire to feed and make our selection and justify it by today's thinking. My desire is not to bring us back 100 years in our thinking, but 2000 years and search the heat of God in His thinking. In doing so it is a process that takes us from the worlds position and puts us in position to hear and be adjusted by God. Everything may seem to be operating just fine till we plug into God's diagnostic computer letting the Spirit of God make the necessary adjustments. Getting us running the race spiritually fit in all areas of our assignment.

People have put this off until a convenient opportunity presents itself since the beginning of time. God wants to complete a work in us in order to work through us. In this way the body of Christ will truly reflect our Lord and Savior who adjusted His schedule and came to be conformed to the will of the Father in order that we would have our condition transformed into the image of the one who paid the ultimate price. See Romans chapter 12 and begin the restoration that is only possible in Christ.

In Christ,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 18

Acts Challenge. In Chapter 18 Paul is frustrated in Corinth due to opposition in the form of arguing and contradicting him in all that he did. His response is to leave and go to the gentiles, an easier people group. Debating with an expert is difficult when they have stopped learning and have become unteachable. What God intended here is different than Paul's plan. Paul is to stay in a difficult situation because it is God's plan. Paul obey's God and is used here another year and a half. This fits the definition of Godly obedience as I begin to understand it. It is immediate, costly and radical. Immediate because he changed what he was about to do. Costly because he was to endure these exhausting people. Radical because it made him have to take his pride and swallow it in order to face them. I imagine he said something like I wanted to leave but could not for the obedience of God is the highest calling in my life. Any thoughts?

In Christ,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 12

King Herod is pleased to gain popularity by executing Christians. He did this to John the Baptist for speaking boldly against sin and at that time it bothered him to carry it out. Now he is openly killing Christians because it pleased the people and he gained their praise. He beheaded James (Apostle John’s brother) the son of Zebedee. His next target was Peter and we see him delivered by an Angel of the Lord. The church was praying at the time he was released, but had to see Peter to believe it was him. Wow, that speaks volumes about believing God to answer literally. Tell “James and the brothers.” This is James, Jesus’ brother who is a leader in the Jerusalem Church. Herod put Peter’s guards to death and with his inflated ego addresses the people of Tyre and Sidon accepting their praise and letting them praise him as a god while giving no credit to the real God. God removed him by taking his life. God allowed him to kill John the Baptist and it was easier to kill James. Peter was rescued by the Lord as the church prayed, then God stopped Herod when he went to the next level. This is the process sin takes. It always goes to the next level when we are more interested in pleasing ourselves and others than God. God adds as we seek Him and His righteousness - Matt 6:33. Acts 12:24 “Then God's message flourished and multiplied.”

So far God has removed King Herod, Ananias & Sapphira, transformed Paul, deal with Simon the Sorcerer and the message is being spread.

Do you personalize the promise of Abraham in Genesis 12?

What capacity does God have to bring a person down?

Hope you have a great day,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 10

Chapter 10; God’s plan unfolds to the nations receiving the Gospel. The main Characters are the 1-Holy Spirit who carries out God’s plans; 2-Cornelius in Caesarea whose life is totally devoted to God praying, serving and leading his house to love and honor God; 3-Peter the young leader of the new church; and 4-witnesses on both sides. This chapter is an eye opening picture of how God works in the church using ordinary people who have experienced Him and are open to believing what He shows them and not afraid to trust in that. More later…

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 9

Today we see the total transformation of an opponent of the Gospel. Paul's life completely took a radical turn of repentance and he now became as bold for the new "Way" as he was against it. He was all in. When we have an encounter with God how do we leave? Do we go boldly giving credit of what God is doing? Rev 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot." - Ouch! The believers were at first reluctant to take Paul in. Forgiveness and trust are difficult and I believe they go hand in hand. They all worked through it, took Paul in and then took steps to protect him. Recognizing what God is doing is difficult when we have ideas of how it should go. We then see God doing signs and wonders. I see God still in the miracle business. How we view that will have a tremendous impact of what He is allowed to accomplish in our lives. His primary business is transforming lives from hopelessness to wholeness with New Life through the life cleansing blood of Jesus.

Thankfully,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 7

Wow! Here we have the history of the people of God in one chapter. It covers the entire First Covenant to the New Covenant defining rejection of God and His chosen deliverers, rebellion, God's real dwelling place, resisting the Holy Spirit showing what we are capable of when rightfully accused and confronted with our sinful activities. Stephen the first Christian martyr had powerful last words 59 They were stoning Stephen as he called out: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin!" And saying this, he fell asleep.   What would your last words be?
Today there are many martyred yearly. http://www.persecution.com

Deserving condemnation,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 6

Here we see needs of the people of God being addressed by the new leaders. They added deacons to serve and they looked for men full of wisdom and the Spirit. Stephen was a man of faith and of the Spirit. The word was preached, the number of disciples multiplied & a large group of priests became obedient. Stephen took the call seriously and began working out his assignment doing great wonders and signs. This stirred up the opposition and he was dragged off and had an opportunity to face their leaders. 15 "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was the face of an angel." How do you respond in a Godly way when faced with opposition?

Acts Challenge Chapter 5

Acts Challenge day 5. Wow! How many people do we see die for deceit? The power of God is real and we are challenged to be bold in our following and let God handle the outcome, and oh yes, rejoice for any associated persecution because it is an honor to suffer as our Lord did. This all throws a big hole in the prosperity Gospel sham. Do we find it important do serve God every day? Read this chapter prayerfully and see what God says about it ;)

Acts Challenge Chapter 4

Peter and James were arrested and the fruit from Peter’s two messages were about 5000 people. All of the credit was going to God in the name of Jesus yet those who opposed were offended and tried to stop the work of God. That’s like trying to stop a river. We must all come to the point where we say “whose directions do we listen to God or man? It may even be in a spouse, close friend or family member that we find opposition. Then when we choose to follow the Lord, seek His direction praying alone and with other believers is when God shakes things up and reveals His power over the circumstances. Choose to trust Him in all areas even with your possessions and you will find His presence and provision in every area.



In His name,

Dan