Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Who is our real enemy here? Supernatural forces, demons, and evil spirits, sounds like a haunted hayride doesn't it? We really lose sight of this fact. Our enemies are not the people around us, but the spirits controlling those people. There are good spirits and there are bad spirits. The closer we walk in fellowship with God, the better able we are to discern those spirits and to know whether they are good or bad.
Make no mistake though, God has defeated the evil general-Satan and his forces. Colossians 2:15 says "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Here's the final outcome: the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20), the devil, who deceived the nations during the final years of the earths existence, is cast into the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet (Revelation 20:10), and the last enemy "death"- God will destroy (1Corinthians 15:26). And in the end of all ages, "...God will be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:28) You see the bible tells us the whole story, we know in the end God will have the final victory and death will be defeated. Sweet!
For now Satan has been given the title "prince of the power of the air" or ruler of this world. He's the deceiver of men who have chosen not to follow Christ. If your not following Christ your are following and being deceived by "the prince of this world", and he wants to take with him as many as he can, to steal our inheritance and our reward. When Christ comes to take His own at the rapture, which by the way could happen at any moment (1 Thess 4:13-5:2), will you be ready? Don't give Satan the satisfaction. Ask Jesus Christ into your heart today, thank Him for forgiving all your sins, and make Him your master. Only then can you see who the real enemy is.
In His Grace, MB
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Ephesians 6:5-8 Are You a Bondservant?
Ephesians 6:5-8 is addressed to bondservants. In the past I've always skimmed through these 3 verses, not giving much attention to them because they were written for slaves. Not the kind of slaves we think of, held against their will, but the bondservants of old who volunteered to work under different circumstances. As I read it today the thought occurred to me, "What if we saw ourselves as bondservants all the time?"
How do you see yourself, humbly or proud? Do you see yourself as better than or less than or equal to those around you? Is there jealousy? Are you angry with anyone now because they are succeeding and you are struggling? Are you mad at your boss? Ticked off at Bush? Wishing McCain was MIA or Obama was exposed for who he is? These kinds of thoughts were most likely the very thoughts bondservants of old had toward their masters. These thoughts manifest on a daily basis with us if we're honest with ourselves. What would the world be like if people listened to God's advice for the bondservant?
"Be obedient to your masters(those in authority over you), with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as brown nosers, but like Christ were your master, doing what He wants you to do from your heart, with goodwill, like you were doing it for God, not for a man or woman. Knowing that whatever good you do for someone else, it will be returned to you from God."
Grace, MB
How do you see yourself, humbly or proud? Do you see yourself as better than or less than or equal to those around you? Is there jealousy? Are you angry with anyone now because they are succeeding and you are struggling? Are you mad at your boss? Ticked off at Bush? Wishing McCain was MIA or Obama was exposed for who he is? These kinds of thoughts were most likely the very thoughts bondservants of old had toward their masters. These thoughts manifest on a daily basis with us if we're honest with ourselves. What would the world be like if people listened to God's advice for the bondservant?
"Be obedient to your masters(those in authority over you), with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as brown nosers, but like Christ were your master, doing what He wants you to do from your heart, with goodwill, like you were doing it for God, not for a man or woman. Knowing that whatever good you do for someone else, it will be returned to you from God."
Grace, MB
Ephesians 6:1-3 We Are Still Children
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.'" Ephesians 6:1-3
When should we stop honoring our parents? Will we ever grow older than they are? Whether they are still living or they are sleeping in death, God calls us to honor our parents, respect them, and listen to them. I've always been the kind of person/child that had to understand why I was doing something, it had to make sense. Over the years that attitude has caused me to disrespect my parents wishes, not honoring them as I should. I am sorry for that, God. I'm asking You to forgive me; I'm asking you to help me honor my father and mother until the day that I die. Amen And I mean that, with all my heart.
It's interesting that this is the first commandment with a promise. Funny how we invest so much into this life (me included), hoping for a long and prosperous life, all the while ignoring the first command of God which promises that long-well life we are hoping for. Could it be that simple?
Grace, MB
When should we stop honoring our parents? Will we ever grow older than they are? Whether they are still living or they are sleeping in death, God calls us to honor our parents, respect them, and listen to them. I've always been the kind of person/child that had to understand why I was doing something, it had to make sense. Over the years that attitude has caused me to disrespect my parents wishes, not honoring them as I should. I am sorry for that, God. I'm asking You to forgive me; I'm asking you to help me honor my father and mother until the day that I die. Amen And I mean that, with all my heart.
It's interesting that this is the first commandment with a promise. Funny how we invest so much into this life (me included), hoping for a long and prosperous life, all the while ignoring the first command of God which promises that long-well life we are hoping for. Could it be that simple?
Grace, MB
Friday, October 10, 2008
For Believers Only?
We should be careful when reading the bible to take note of the context. Some passages in the bible are for select people, other passages are for everyone. Ephesians 4:1--5:17 is an example of a passage with meaning for one group but not for all. This passage is for the believers, those born again spiritually, who have their minds renewed, wearing a new set of glasses, seeing God's perspective. This is not a slam on unbelievers by any means, but a reminder that without the Holy Spirit dwelling within, much of the bible is senseless.
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
Scofield in his commentary says the natural man may be learned, gentle, eloquent and fascinating, but the spiritual content of Scriputre is absolutely hidden from him; and the worldly Christian is able to comprehend only its simplest truths, "milk" (1 Corinthians 3:2). I know this is true because I've been both an unbeliever and a worldly Christian. I've made fun of Christians and I've strayed later in life from deeper commitments to God because I wasn't commited to Him. I still wonder if being "sold out" for Jesus even possible? But I press on.
That being said, almost 2 chapters is given to what a believers life should look like. For fear of sounding legalistic no comments will be made regarding this text. Suffice it to say prayer should precede and follow any conclusions regarding what you read and their applications to your life. Questions...Is going to a bar ok? Is drinking ok? Is smoking ok? Is hanging out with your friends ok when they are watching porno flixs? Is going to a gay wedding right? Is talking about someone else when they are/are not around a good idea? Is buying anything from a communist country a Godly thing to do? (That's half my closet)
"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." (Ephesians 5:15-17 The Message) I can't make the decision for anyone but myself.
Grace, MB
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
Scofield in his commentary says the natural man may be learned, gentle, eloquent and fascinating, but the spiritual content of Scriputre is absolutely hidden from him; and the worldly Christian is able to comprehend only its simplest truths, "milk" (1 Corinthians 3:2). I know this is true because I've been both an unbeliever and a worldly Christian. I've made fun of Christians and I've strayed later in life from deeper commitments to God because I wasn't commited to Him. I still wonder if being "sold out" for Jesus even possible? But I press on.
That being said, almost 2 chapters is given to what a believers life should look like. For fear of sounding legalistic no comments will be made regarding this text. Suffice it to say prayer should precede and follow any conclusions regarding what you read and their applications to your life. Questions...Is going to a bar ok? Is drinking ok? Is smoking ok? Is hanging out with your friends ok when they are watching porno flixs? Is going to a gay wedding right? Is talking about someone else when they are/are not around a good idea? Is buying anything from a communist country a Godly thing to do? (That's half my closet)
"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." (Ephesians 5:15-17 The Message) I can't make the decision for anyone but myself.
Grace, MB
ONENESS
John 17:8 “For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.”
Jesus is praying to the Father. He says He came forth from the Father, or
“came out of” the Father.(CLNT) The Father and the son are ONE. Can we say that the Son was birthed or created out of the Father?
John 17:21 “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
One common frustration the body of Christ shares is the unbelief in the world. There are many reasons we give for that: “it’s not their time”, “they are too comfortable, life has been too good for them”, “they are captives of the Adversary”, “generational curse or tough up bringing”, “they were just born in the wrong community (country)”, etc….
Let me pose another even greater reason for their lack of belief. From the words of Jesus Himself…”that they all may be one,…that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
Point: The world will not believe in Jesus Christ when there is so much segregation in the church. When there is disunity among a group/sect/body of believers there is question as to the validity of the belief. If Jesus is the Son of God why can’t the churches agree? Why not ONE church as the bible teaches? Where is the ONENESS in the body of Christ?
Grace, MB
Jesus is praying to the Father. He says He came forth from the Father, or
“came out of” the Father.(CLNT) The Father and the son are ONE. Can we say that the Son was birthed or created out of the Father?
John 17:21 “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
One common frustration the body of Christ shares is the unbelief in the world. There are many reasons we give for that: “it’s not their time”, “they are too comfortable, life has been too good for them”, “they are captives of the Adversary”, “generational curse or tough up bringing”, “they were just born in the wrong community (country)”, etc….
Let me pose another even greater reason for their lack of belief. From the words of Jesus Himself…”that they all may be one,…that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
Point: The world will not believe in Jesus Christ when there is so much segregation in the church. When there is disunity among a group/sect/body of believers there is question as to the validity of the belief. If Jesus is the Son of God why can’t the churches agree? Why not ONE church as the bible teaches? Where is the ONENESS in the body of Christ?
Grace, MB
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ephesians 5:1-2 Love is...
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Is 1 Corinthians 13:3-13 an accurate depiction of what love is? "Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoince in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
I would like to suggest a higher definition of love. We understand that love is not a feeling. If that were the case God stopped loving us when He flooded the earth. “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen 6:6) But God is love and He has never stopped loving us, so we know that genuine love is not of feelings. I suggest love is a commitment, an action, a passion for someone or something that is greater than you.
Paul says it well in Ephesians 5:2 “…as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,”
Paul doesn’t say that Christ gives himself “to us” but “for us”, suggesting the affection is aimed at God, not us. Not that Christ doesn’t love us, but He loves God more; He loves us because God loves us. We were not created to be the center of the universe.
Point: Jesus loves God more than He loves us. Jesus was passionate about one thing…His Father. So of course He was passionate about His Fathers business.
Look at 1 Corinthians 13:3-13. Was Jesus kind when He overturned the money changers? Was He provoked? Did He behave rudely? Was He kind when He ridiculed the Pharisees? What does suffer long mean anyway? Was that bearing all things? Did He parade Himself when He road into Jerusalem on a donkey? Was He seeking His own when He went off by himself to pray or rest? Was He seeking His own when He was making furniture? Someone could make a point against Jesus and His lack of 1 Corinthian 13 love if they tried hard enough. However no one can argue His love based on Paul’s definition…”be imitators of God”. Christ gave Himself up for us, for something greater than Himself, “an offering and sacrifice to God”.
Point: Christ demonstrated true, raw, passionate love, not by being kind, timid, and nice, but by giving Himself totally to the mission…God’s salvation of His creation. That’s passion, that’s love, that’s doing whatever it takes. And that's are calling as well.
Grace, MB
Is 1 Corinthians 13:3-13 an accurate depiction of what love is? "Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoince in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
I would like to suggest a higher definition of love. We understand that love is not a feeling. If that were the case God stopped loving us when He flooded the earth. “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen 6:6) But God is love and He has never stopped loving us, so we know that genuine love is not of feelings. I suggest love is a commitment, an action, a passion for someone or something that is greater than you.
Paul says it well in Ephesians 5:2 “…as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,”
Paul doesn’t say that Christ gives himself “to us” but “for us”, suggesting the affection is aimed at God, not us. Not that Christ doesn’t love us, but He loves God more; He loves us because God loves us. We were not created to be the center of the universe.
Point: Jesus loves God more than He loves us. Jesus was passionate about one thing…His Father. So of course He was passionate about His Fathers business.
Look at 1 Corinthians 13:3-13. Was Jesus kind when He overturned the money changers? Was He provoked? Did He behave rudely? Was He kind when He ridiculed the Pharisees? What does suffer long mean anyway? Was that bearing all things? Did He parade Himself when He road into Jerusalem on a donkey? Was He seeking His own when He went off by himself to pray or rest? Was He seeking His own when He was making furniture? Someone could make a point against Jesus and His lack of 1 Corinthian 13 love if they tried hard enough. However no one can argue His love based on Paul’s definition…”be imitators of God”. Christ gave Himself up for us, for something greater than Himself, “an offering and sacrifice to God”.
Point: Christ demonstrated true, raw, passionate love, not by being kind, timid, and nice, but by giving Himself totally to the mission…God’s salvation of His creation. That’s passion, that’s love, that’s doing whatever it takes. And that's are calling as well.
Grace, MB
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ephesians 4:29 What's in your pallet?
I love that Capital One commercial with the catch phrase, "What's in your wallet?" It's amazing people are surviving this brutal world. I'm continually impressed with the fortitude and strength people have to cope with what life throws at them. Natural disasters are one thing, but when your people, your community, your friends and family say things that just downright hurt, it's tough. Sticks and stones hurt, and so do names.
I was recently given some advice from a Godly woman who just lost her husband suddenly. She was feeling guilty because she didn't love her husband like he loved her. His love was unconditional and her love was conditional. She had never allowed herself to accept him as he was and this created a critical spirit inside her. She felt bad because every time she said I love you to him it felt like there was a stipulation tagged on to it. "I love you, because you did some laundry." "I love you because you bought me that dress." "I love you because you noticed." In talking with her she challenged me to forgive my wife and love her unconditionally.
She also challenged me to memorize scriptures that would strengthen my marriage, because scripture is the only weapon we have to fight against the Adversary, the devil, and destroying marriages is his priority. The first one I memorized was Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that you may impart grace to the hearers". What's in your pallet?
Grace, MB
I was recently given some advice from a Godly woman who just lost her husband suddenly. She was feeling guilty because she didn't love her husband like he loved her. His love was unconditional and her love was conditional. She had never allowed herself to accept him as he was and this created a critical spirit inside her. She felt bad because every time she said I love you to him it felt like there was a stipulation tagged on to it. "I love you, because you did some laundry." "I love you because you bought me that dress." "I love you because you noticed." In talking with her she challenged me to forgive my wife and love her unconditionally.
She also challenged me to memorize scriptures that would strengthen my marriage, because scripture is the only weapon we have to fight against the Adversary, the devil, and destroying marriages is his priority. The first one I memorized was Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that you may impart grace to the hearers". What's in your pallet?
Grace, MB
Ephesians 4:1-32 The believers walk
There's no room for constructive criticism these days. It's all about being politically correct and not offending your neighbor. Christians need to be tolerant. Does that bother you? It does me, until I read this chapter. It all makes sense now. Paul explains the way the world thinks in verses 17-19 and why they do what they do. Because "their understanding is darkened", because the "natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can they know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only 3 verses out of 32 describe the world, the rest describes what Christians should be. Here's the point, we need to love those that don't love Jesus, because we've all been there. (I didn't say condone their actions.)
There was a time in my life when I was closed to God because I wasn't ready, nothing anyone said was sinking in, I thought it was foolishness. But then the Spirit of God started to convict me, starting softening my heart, and I started listening. God sent special people into my life when the soils of my heart were tilled and ready for planting. Then those seeds began to sprout and take root. You know, when I look back it was nothing short of a miracle that I put my trust in Jesus Christ for my salvation and that I am in love with Him and passionate about Him to this day. The faith that took root in my heart was nothing I created or conjured up, it was totally a gift from God. I was chosen by Him before the foundation of the world, "...having predestined me to adoption as a son by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6) There was no accidents. The only reason you are taking the time to read this today is because you are a part of the chosen, God has predestined you. Don't run from the peace that passes all understanding, accept Him today as your Savior, you won't be sorry.
Grace, MB
There was a time in my life when I was closed to God because I wasn't ready, nothing anyone said was sinking in, I thought it was foolishness. But then the Spirit of God started to convict me, starting softening my heart, and I started listening. God sent special people into my life when the soils of my heart were tilled and ready for planting. Then those seeds began to sprout and take root. You know, when I look back it was nothing short of a miracle that I put my trust in Jesus Christ for my salvation and that I am in love with Him and passionate about Him to this day. The faith that took root in my heart was nothing I created or conjured up, it was totally a gift from God. I was chosen by Him before the foundation of the world, "...having predestined me to adoption as a son by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6) There was no accidents. The only reason you are taking the time to read this today is because you are a part of the chosen, God has predestined you. Don't run from the peace that passes all understanding, accept Him today as your Savior, you won't be sorry.
Grace, MB
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Ephesians 3:6 The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
Ephesians 3:6 "that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,"
Fellow heirs or joint enjoyers of an allotment (CLNT) What is the allotment, what are we fellow heirs of? Fellow means "along with", in this case along with Christ. We are joint heirs with Christ. We are heirs of the Universe. Hebrews 1:2 says it this way, "God...has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;" What are we worried about? Retirement? What if the stock market crashes? What if the banks close? Is retirement really that important when at the coming of Jesus Christ those that are His are going to receive a joint allotment with Him that is equal to the Universe? Is there a payout on the planet that will even come close. That's what Paul meant when he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8
Grace, MB
Fellow heirs or joint enjoyers of an allotment (CLNT) What is the allotment, what are we fellow heirs of? Fellow means "along with", in this case along with Christ. We are joint heirs with Christ. We are heirs of the Universe. Hebrews 1:2 says it this way, "God...has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;" What are we worried about? Retirement? What if the stock market crashes? What if the banks close? Is retirement really that important when at the coming of Jesus Christ those that are His are going to receive a joint allotment with Him that is equal to the Universe? Is there a payout on the planet that will even come close. That's what Paul meant when he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8
Grace, MB
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