In Sunday School I have been learning about the Holy Spirit. In my bible study I am learning about the Kingdom of God. There is some much rich theology that I have gleaned from these past few weeks. I want to share it with you.

Jesus being man could not raise himself from the dead, thus the Spirit did. Christ fully submitted himself to the consequences of our sin- death. Just as a dead man cannot raise himself, neither could Christ. He can fully relate to us pertaining to the consequences of death that we feel so acutely. We have a God who knows death. We have a God who knows temptation. Just as we struggle with temptation and death, so did Christ. The Holy Spirit aided Christ and the Holy Spirit aids us in both these things. 

You are a completed action in Christ. If God has already predestined you, He has already glorified you and you are a completed action in heaven. 

The three parts of the Trinity are constantly working together and pointing to each other. The Holy Spirit will not lead outside of where Christ has already lead. Christ used the scriptures that the Father gave to the prophets. Thus they testify of the truth that they bring. 

You, who knows and spends time with Christ, still struggle to understand and fellowship with Him. Akin to the disciples. They spent personal/physical time with Christ and still had to have parables broken down for them. How much more we should pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede in the hearts of those who don't believe in Christ. Have grace.

If you have the Holy Spirit, you cannot blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Just as Satan cannot cast out Satan, the Holy Spirit will not work against himself. God cannot cast out God. This is one of the awesome ways we have surety of our salvation. (Mark 3&4)

It is not my responsibility to grow the seed, but it is mine to sow it. God has called me to sow.

Just hearing does not necessarily bring understanding. The Holy Spirit makes the soil good. Good soil will continue to produce growth. It does take time, but it will bear fruit. (Mark 4)

Ephesians 3:14-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Acts 17:28

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁸ for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

Last thoughts in a death bed letter

Philippians 4

English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

² I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. ¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

These are the final words from Paul to the Philippians. To the Galatians Paul was strict because he was trying to correct their theology and understanding of the gospel. With the Ephesisans he talking to a people he didn't know thus his language was very encouraging of their walk with Christ. Paul is writing to the Philippians with very intimate language. He knows them personally. Here he is personally thanking them for providing for his needs in prison. He is personally grieved by the fact that two women of the church are fighting. Paul calls the church his joy and his crown. He is proud of the church there and it seems with love and tenderness he is writing this letter to them. There is almost a deathbed quality to his message where he is telling them to get along. Think on good things. Rejoice. Be reasonable. Understand that God is with you. Don't be anxious... Give those worries to God. Here is how to have peace in your hearts. 

Paul was in prison in a foreign country. This would be a death sentence for most people because prisons were not required to feed you or provide for any of your needs except to keep you in the prison. The Philippians had provided for Paul when even the Jews would not. Paul rejoices in the fact the Philippians were so generous to them and also reassures them he is well provided for. There is intimacy with sorrow. He doesn't make plans to see them soon. He just blesses them in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3

English Standard Version (ESV)

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ 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 ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

¹⁷ Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.¹⁸ For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Whether in sickness, health, sadness, despair, trials, or gladness it is always good to rejoice in the Lord. I know that all to often I forget to rejoice in God, who He is and what He has done for me. 

Paul does not hold back on what he thinks about people who say that circumcision is necessary to be a christian. What do I add to my faith? What steps and lifestyle do I say are needed to be Christian? I prayed to accept Jesus into my heart at 3 years of age. I have been raised in the church with do this and don't do that and all will be well, yet I find that I am unable to obey.

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

I instead try to sacrifice. I can give up all the things that God would have me give up, but that does not result in salvation... or joy. That results in a bitter heart when God does not bless me that way I want Him to in return. If I instead look at what God has done for me... The more I contemplate what God has done through His Son, the more grateful my heart is. The more I rejoice. May I count that whatever good I gain as loss. 
One interpretation of verse 14 is keeping death in mind makes one mature. We have the YOLO ( You only live once) saying, yet merely living in light of death is not what makes us mature. Living with Christ amazing gift of salvation in mind and remembering that God calls to others things makes us mature. Now comes the active waiting. I press on toward what God has called me, yet I am waiting as he transforms my heart and body to be like his. 

¹⁹ And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

I don't have the ability to follow God. I have a dead heart that is made of stone. I cannot even obey, yet He is giving me a heart of flesh. He is shaping my heart, patterns of thought, and actions into His. 

Philippians: A Death Bed Letter

Philippians 2

English Standard Version (ESV)

Christ's Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷ Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. ²⁰ For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. ²¹ For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. ²³ I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, ²⁴ and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

²⁵ I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, ²⁶ for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹ So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,³⁰ for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

In read Philippians I am seem to be hearing a man on his death bed, writing his final words to his loved ones. The Philippian church must have been very dear to Paul as they did such a good job supporting him. I have at times worked as a hospice nurse on my floor. I have heard grandmothers tell their family,"Now you be nice to each other." It makes me smile as I remember similar words from my grandparents, mom, and dad. How often do I get wrapped up in my own interests? How often do I only see what I want to see in a situation? How often do I plan and scheme to get my way? My answer is all the time and every day... if it were not for the grace of God. The Father gave me the incredible example of His son. God incarnate did not pursue how to be seen as the most important or how to manipulate others to his way; therefore, if there is anything the Spirit asks me to do for others, I need to do it! 

Paul then gives us examples of attitudes and behaviors that get in the way of having this mindset that Christ had. We have all seen movies or perhaps in real life, people  tearing others down so they can feel better about themselves. The bully want to feel strong and like a man so he pushes someone around. The pretty girl feels like another is prettier and can't abide with the idea that someone competes with her beauty. Let the gossip begin. The examples that we can list are exhaustive. Paul remind the the Philippians that he want to be proud of them. He wants them to have joy. It is hard to have joy when the focus is on comparing myself to the world. It's hard to have joy when I am grumbling, gossiping, complaining, fighting, or arguing. 

Paul ask the Philippians to treat each other nicely. Paul started by giving is an example of Christ's behavior. Christ did not seek to be like God. Why should I? He then gave tips on behaviors to avoid if this attitude is to be effective. Don't grumble and complain. Don't fight with everyone. He finishes by sending them living examples of the behavior he was to see in the church: Timothy and Epaphroditus. 

As a kinetic learner, I like examples. I need things spelled out for me in very clear ways. I can take a concept and not know what to do with it; however, Paul here is giving them three living examples of how to behave. How awesome a God we have that he would come to earth and show us how to live. 

Philippians: Gospel in the midst of suffering.

Philippians 1

English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Advance of the Gospel

¹² I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.¹⁴ And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. ¹⁶ The latter do it out of love,knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, ²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

As I read through this book one of the things that pops out to me is Philippians ring to me of a death bed letter. Paul is in prison and he is suffering. He longs to be with God the Father, but he also feels an obligation and calling to support the churches through his writing. In the first few verses of this letter, Paul talks about how he finds joy in the church of Phillippi. He sees their work in furthering the gospel and he feels supported by them in his ministry. There seems to be a deep affection between the church and Paul. In Ephesians Paul was writing to a people he did not know. In this letter Paul writes intimately to the church. He longs for their growth and completion in Christ. 
Paul also feels the need to reassure the church of his situation. He doesn't hide the fact that he is in prison and suffering, but he doesn't draw attention to it either. He merely talks about how he has found joy in the advancement of the gospel. Paul seems to be asking the Philippian church to continue to in the work of advancing the gospel because he needs that hope in his suffering. 

There is a quote at my work that says,"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." ~Dalai Lama. I feel Paul is saying, "If you want to find joy, we preach the gospel. If I want to find joy, we preach the gospel." 

Father, I want to have joy in my life. I want to be focused on You and Your calling in my life. I want to have fruitful labor in the gospel. Holy Spirit may I be intimate with You that I feel secure in faith and conviction. Place a longing in my heart for You. Amen.  

The Game of Life

This is an interesting video for me because it deals with healing, a subject very close to my heart. Paul's deathbed like tone speaks to me in a very real way. I occasionally as a nurse receive hospice patients or people faced with difficult illness. 

Going with my streak of showing things that are not my own, but that have been inspirational to me.

If you have had told me the word eschatology would have great signifigance in my life a couple months ago, I probably would have had no idea what you ment. My sister recommended this article to me when I was talking about struggling with different relationships in my life. 

The Sure Source of Christian Contentment

I always need reminded of how to be the woman God calls me to be. This article reminded me of a few simple truths that I need. 

The Real Deal: What True Womanhood Is All About

These talks by Brene Brown have been life changing. It's hard to take everything she has to say in; however, that is one of the things that makes it so powerful. 

Quotes

I have for a long time wanted to do a post of different quotes. Now that I am finally getting around to it, I have forgotten most of the quotes I wanted to use. Yet here are some great quotes that have spoken to me recently. 

I would like to buy about three dollars worth of gospel, please. Not too much – just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races – especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars worth of gospel, please. ~D. A. Carson

For eons human beings have tried to find less destructive ways to live together. ~Margaret Wheatly

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” 

~Timothy Keller

“A vast horde of souls were rumbling toward heaven.  There were whole companies of white-trash, clean for the first time in their lives, and bands of black niggers in white robes, and battalions of freaks and lunatics shouting and clapping and leaping like frogs. And bringing up the end of the procession was a tribe of people whom she recognized at once as those who, like herself and Claud, had always had a little of everything and the God-given wit to use it right.  She leaned forward to observe them closer.  They were marching behind the others with great dignity, accountable as they always had been for good order and common sense and respectable behavior.  They alone were on key.  Yet she could see by their shocked and altered faces that even their virtues were being burned away.” ~Flannery O'Connor

Forgiveness says you are free from your penalty. You may go. Justification says you free from your sin.... You may come. ~Timothy Keller

"The benefits of the new birth- the pardon of our sins and our relationship with Christ- do not remove us from the battle. Instead, they guarantee our victory!" ~Dave Harvey

"till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet." ~Thomas Watson

Loneliness

Loneliness is a demon
It fills my upper chest
Clawing at my throat
So it burns from the inside scratch marks


Loneliness is a burden
It cannot be shared with others
It grows in solitude
It feeds on hidden thoughts and feelings


Loneliness is a reminder of You
You were alone on the cross
You were separated from the Father
You did so to bring unity to me

Ephesians 6:10-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul ends with instructions on how to with stand spiritual warfare. In these last few weeks I feel like have with stood great spiritual warfare, yet I struggle with how to tell people about it. I have second guessed myself saying it's only this emotion that I need to deal with, it's my hormones acting up, or I'm merely frustrated with this situation. After I read this passage, I feel like Paul is speaking directly to me. I am not dealing with flesh and blood. I am dealing with thoughts, emotions, insecurities, authorities, and things unstable. I have heard many pastors say, if the bible says "therefore" you ask what it's "there for." Here Paul is telling us how to be strong in the Lord. God has given us spiritual armor. Truth is hard to hear, but people don't have a leg to stand on when you present them with truth. If you are righteous, then they have nothing to accuse you of. If your feet a quick to point to the gospel and a peaceful gospel, they have nothing with which to attack you. It will take faith and perseverance in God to stand against the doubts that we have in our heads and the words that others say. Salvation is key to protect our heads from doubts. Salvation is so key to our theology. We need to understand how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is our helper and advocate now. He is how we should fight spiritually. He is the word of God in our hearts. We not only should be praying for ourselves to persevere in the faith, but also for others as well. 
I love how Paul sends someone to encourage the hearts of the Ephesian church. One of my hearts desires is to encourage people. In their faith, in their health, and their hearts. The fact that Paul thought that was so important shows that we need to be doing that for each other. Often our language is full of criticism and sarcasm, yet how much more effective would I be if I used my words to encourage and not to tear down.   
Holy Spirit, I  ask that you would work on my heart, my tongue, my lips today. May I encourage people today and point them to You and Your awesome gift of salvation. May I be strong in You. As You advocate for me before God, I ask that You would protect my mind from doubts and worry. Would You show me Your will so that I can firmly walk in Your way. Help me to firmly walk in Your way. I ask that You would do the same for my brothers and sisters in Christ. May the words of our mouths and meditations of our hearts be focused on You. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Ephesians 6:5-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

Bondservants and Masters

⁵ Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. ⁹ Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

I think of this as Paul's Guide to the Workplace. We don't really have bondservant's anymore, but the same principles can apply to the current employee/employer relationships. I am suppose to have sincere, respectful heart. I am a people pleaser. I put alot of my self-worth in how people see me, yet this is not a pure motive for doing God's work. I am called to do everything with my faith and Lord in mind. 

Colossians 3:17

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When I am in charge at work I need to have the same grace with my co-workers as God had for me. God offers the people who don't like the same grace and mercy that He did me. I need to carry that in my heart. 


Holy Father, I need You to change my attitudes and my relationships with people. I need Your grace and power. I don't want to ruin Your witness, but I also can testify to You using the weak thing in this world. I feel very weak. Please use me to witness and draw nigh to You the people I work with. Thank you for the grace that You have had with me and continue to have. May You enable me to pass on that same grace. Please focus my heart not on what others think of me, but give me a sincere heart to do Your work. Amen.

Ephesians 6:1-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” ⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

⁵ Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. ⁹ Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

I find it odd that these two passages are right next to each other, yet as one takes a closer look it starts to make sense. Paul has just encouraged spouses how to have a good relationship together.
Here children are encouraged how to have a good relationship with their parents and vis versa. Honor is something our culture often overlooks as necessary. The Lord has laid on my heart to honor those in my life. I don't always do so, but I strive to honor people in a way they find honoring. My parents have been very gracious and loving towards me. Honoring my parents comes easier to me because of this; however, how do you honor a parent you don't a good relationship with? Children can be very hurt by the power and control their parents have over them or the opposite where there is no discipline or order in the child's life. One thing I have learned is that different people find different things to be honoring. It takes knowing that person to discover how they want to be honored. Fathers day is coming up as we seek to honor our earthly fathers, let us take us take the time to honor how Heavenly Father as well.

Ephesians 5:22-33 English Standard Version (ESV) Wives and Husbands 22  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

I am not married and it is not on the horizon anytime soon. While I am hesitant to write on this passage, I am still commanded to look at this passage and glean from it what God wills me to. The attitude of submission is one that is not looked upon with favor in our society. As a Christian, I know that I should be submissive to those over me in authority, yet I find myself constantly battling them in my head or in real life. If I am to get married, I don't want to be constantly battling my husband. I am a sinner and there are many areas of my life a future husband will/should correct me on. I need to start cultivating a heart open too correction and willing to submit when God commands me to. I also am part of the church. Am I submitting to Christ as I should? No; therefore, I need to start changing my heart and earnestly seeking to have the same heart of my Savior. Paul is not trying to demine women here. He is trying to encourage men and women how to have a successful marriage. I want to submitt to my husband. I want my husband to love me. I want to show my husband how important he is in my life by letting him lead our family, but I also want him to listen to me the same way God listens to my prayers. I want my husband to correct me and encrouage me to become more Christ like, yet I want him to do it in such a way that I dont' resent his correction. I want to respect all men in my life. This includes doctors, father, grandfather, brothers in christ, and pastors. I also need to submit and respect Christ before I can sumbit and respect to the men in my life. Part of me respecting and submitting to God will might mean never getting married. Yet I know that God has a good plan in lfe for me. God wants good things for me and He wants good things for the church. I must work as part of that church to live in accordance with His will. I can also use this passage to seek out a godly husband. A godly husband will love, nourish, and cherish me as Christ commands.