We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.
— Paul encouraging the disciples (After being stoned outside the city)
Posted February 11, 2012 at 4:49am
Ephesians 1
A few thoughts based on Ephesians 1.
1.Paul based his identity in Jesus.
2.He had an understanding of God being his father, remarkable turn around from his fear filled upbringing believing that even saying the name Yahweh put you in danger.
God chose us in him before the foundations of the earth were laid. He had a plan before you began.
He did so in order that we would live holy lives and therefore glorify him.
Love was his motivation in his pursuit of us, it’s all about grace and not merit.
We have been adopted into God’s family through Jesus work and now have the rights of a child, access to his presence, provision, power and an inheritance.
Our ruined lives have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus.
By grace wet have been given insight into the mystery of God’s plan.
…………………………….
Value God’s word, understanding and applying it might just change your life.
Posted February 1, 2012 at 4:46pm
because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste.” - Paul
—
MSG
1 Corinthians 15:10
Posted August 23, 2011 at 4:52am
Suffering.
You cannot avoid suffering,
Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Life is hard sometimes, I think it was Matt Chandler who said, “If you haven’t suffered, you just haven’t lived long enough yet.”
In this life we will face trial, difficulty, heartache and pain at one point or another.
Although you cannot avoid pain, you can prepare yourself (in a limited way) for it & recover (slowly) from it.
Believe God is who He says He is, and that He is like what He says He is like.
Surround yourself with friends, don’t run from community, run into community.
Take time to be alone with God.
Share how you feel with others especially with your husband/wife If married.
Ask questions to God but do not question God. Jesus asked honest questions to the Father, so should we. Not questions that belittle His character but ones that reflect our brokenness.
Hurt with hope. It is ok to be hurt. A pain in your arm let’s you know it needs some attention, care and recovery. If you are feeling pain then it is an indication that you need some attention, care and time to recover. In your tears hold onto hope that God will heal you. Now or when he returns.
Recognise that their is someone who knows how we feel. Jesus. Our God is the only god with wounds.
Psalm 56 // Message.
“You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.
9 If my enemies run away, turn tail when I yell at them, Then I’ll know that God is on my side.
10-11 I’m proud to praise God, proud to praise God. Fearless now, I trust in God; what can mere mortals do to me?
12-13 God, you did everything you promised, and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life.”
Jamie & Rebekah.
Posted June 11, 2011 at 1:24pm
Marks of Christian maturity.
John 5:39-40
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
You understand that knowing the Bible is not primarily about knowing the Bible or gaining reward (from being able to recite it) but you understand that all scripture points to and enables us to know Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24.
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
You have come to realise that their is no standard of living that you are trying to reach but that the only one who ever reached any standard is Jesus and the only righteousness you have or ever will have comes from him.
Philippians 3:8-9.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”
You do not use God as a means to an end, enjoying only what you can get out of him but you realise, he is the end and your deepest joy and greatest treasure is found in Jesus.
We make so much of our walk with God complicated by striving when so much more is accomplished when we simply surrender.
Posted May 29, 2011 at 7:43pm
