Walk out Your Faith

Paul continues to tell the people about the kinds of behavior they need to rid themselves of and closes off the passage with ways they should behave instead.

Ephesians 4:28-32

²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

As Paul closes out this fourth chapter of Ephesians, he is very clear about the type of activities and attitudes we need to rid ourselves of. Paul not only talks about what we need to get rid of but what we need to replace them with. In verse 28 Paul reminds us that we are not to steal. He then follows it with specific instructions of what to do instead of stealing – to work, not just to provide for ourselves, but in order to have surplus to share with those in need. How well do you share your abundance with those in need? We work hard to provide for our families and to have the things we want, but do we have too much? Do we share with those in need?

Paul again addresses our speech. He not only tells us to not let unwholesome talk come from us but adds that our words should build others up. What was your speech like this past week? Did your words tear people down or build people up? When we continue to live our old lives and old ways of satisfying ourselves versus living our lives for Christ, we grieve the Holy Spirit.

Verse 31 gives a laundry list of attitudes we should be rid of if we are living into our new creations in Christ. Paul doesn’t just admonish us in this passage, he builds us up by encouraging us in verse 32 to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord. He tells us to be kind and compassionate. Who in your life needs to experience your kindness and compassion today? Who in your life needs to experience your forgiveness? Walk out your faith today by showing kindness and compassion, using your words to build up another and by forgiving others the way Christ forgives you.

• Scripture from http://www.biblegateway.com

• Picture from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

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Paul’s Greeting in Ephesians

Today we are going to look at Paul’s greeting in Ephesians. 

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

I love the way Paul starts this letter. Paul begins by describing himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus”. According to the notes in the NIV Study Bible, an apostle is “one specially commissioned by Christ”. What a beautiful way to describe yourself first and foremost as an apostle of Jesus Christ. What is the first thing you tell people about yourself? Do you tell people you are a follower of Christ first or do you describe yourself by your job or your relationships? Most of us describe ourselves by what we do, I’m a teacher, I’m an engineer, I’m a secretary, etc. The other way we usually describe ourselves is by our family relationships, I’m Bill’s wife, I’m Allison and Emily’s mom, etc.

In describing himself right off the bat as an apostle, Paul is making it clear what his priority is. He is someone who sees his main responsibility as serving Christ. Where does serving Christ fall on your priority list? Do you seek Him first thing in the morning to see what He has for you each day? Does your to-do list already look so full that you don’t have any time for Him today? Maybe we need to rethink the way we plan our days and find ways to include more conversation time with the Lord. For example, praying in the car, while you are working out or while you are getting ready. Talking to God during the regular routines of our day is one way to stay in touch with Him.

Paul says he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God”. He acknowledges being an apostle is God’s will for his life. It is His will for our lives as well. As believers, we are all called to serve Him. How can you serve God today? Sometimes it is in the small things we do that really make the biggest impact on others. Who do you need to lift in prayer today? Who do you need to encourage today? Remember that you are “specially commissioned by Christ” and He will empower you to do His work. Be a blessing to someone today!

• All Scripture references from http://www.biblegateway.com

• Quote from “NIV Study Bible”, 1987, Zondervan

 

Be an Encourager

Life is hard. We are busy, overwhelmed, stressed and tired. Ever have a day where nothing seems to go right?  Sometimes a simple word of encouragement can completely turn your day around. Our local Christian radio station, KSBJ, is promoting “love that sticks” for the month of February and they are asking people to write encouraging words on sticky notes and leave them in random places. I love this idea.

I can remember last year seeing some of these notes on items in the grocery store, on gas pumps and even in the women’s restroom. Every time I saw one, it brought a smile to my face. It is truly amazing how one small word of encouragement can change your perspective and your mood. If seeing a random sticky note that says “Smile, Jesus loves you” or “God is proud of you” or “God cares about you” can brighten someone’s day, imagine how much more a personal word of encouragement  can do.

We are so quick to complain or criticize. What if today, you choose not to complain or criticize? What if when the thoughts of complaints or criticisms come, you instead speak a word of encouragement. Instead of complaining to a friend or coworker, you encourage them? What if instead of criticizing your spouse or child, you encourage them? 

I know in the world of text messages, Facebook posts and emails, writing a note or a card and sending it to someone almost seems out of date. However, receiving a note or card someone has taken the time to write can be very special. Take the time this week to write one note of encouragement to someone. Look around at the people in your life and see who might need to be encouraged. Do you have a friend who has been there for you? Tell them and thank them for what they have done for you and what they mean to you. Do you have a family member, coworker or friend who is struggling in their marriage, with finances or with an illness? Write a note to uplift them.

Hebrews 3:13

But encourage one another daily…

We have the ability to impact people’s lives everyday. Let’s choose today to make a positive impact by encouraging one another.

 

As followers of Christ, we have the blessing of His Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It can help us s

Why Blog?

I had a couple of friends who really encouraged me to start a blog. Honestly, I didn’t know if I would like doing it, but it has been such a blessing to me. It is a wonderful way to be able to share my faith with people all over the world, that otherwise I would never be able to connect with. I have been blown away by where some of the people who read the blog are reading from. It is one way to make our big world smaller.

Technology, especially the internet can be so misused, but writing a Christian blog is one way to use technology in a positive way to spread the word of God and the gospel to people all over the world. 

Matthew 38:19-20

 ^“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Writing the blog has helped give me a platform to teach others about God’s Word, how to apply it to their lives and most importantly how to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. As I have read other blogs, I have also been able to learn from others different ways to look at Scriptures and have been challenged to live out those Scriptures in my life.

I have been incredibly humbled and blessed by the comments people have left. It is clear the Lord is using blogs to reach others for Himself and is using them to speak to His people. It has helped create a community of believers who have another way to encourage one another. Walking the Christian walk is difficult and is not something we were meant to do alone. Blogs are another way to walk alongside each other with words of inspiration and encouragement. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Through reading other blogs and comments on this blog, I have been called to prayer for others and their situations. I pray God continues to use this blog to reach people all over the world. Thank you for reading and commenting on the blog; it has encouraged, humbled, inspired and challenged me. To God be the glory!