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