6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
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I love this verse in light of Ephesians 2:8-9:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
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How amazing that God would grant us the faith He requires for us to be saved, but also what He requires to please Him!
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Ephesians 5- Be Wise, Not Foolish
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
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16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
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Thursday, May 6, 2010
Ephesians 6- Slaves (employees) of Christ
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;
6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ...
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When I read this and other related passages, I am reminded that my work is not all futile as Solomon proclaimed in Ecclesiastes. Regardless of my position, title compensation level or status, I am still here for one reason; To serve Christ and bring Him glory.
As these verses indicate, bringing Christ glory with my job is done by working diligently, and with devotion. My actions are viewed by believes, unbelievers and even heavenly beings. What I do is proof of Christ's saving power in my life.
It is important to note that later on in this same chapter Paul is reminding us that we need to be dependent on God's power to enable us, not our own:
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."
6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ...
Read More
When I read this and other related passages, I am reminded that my work is not all futile as Solomon proclaimed in Ecclesiastes. Regardless of my position, title compensation level or status, I am still here for one reason; To serve Christ and bring Him glory.
As these verses indicate, bringing Christ glory with my job is done by working diligently, and with devotion. My actions are viewed by believes, unbelievers and even heavenly beings. What I do is proof of Christ's saving power in my life.
It is important to note that later on in this same chapter Paul is reminding us that we need to be dependent on God's power to enable us, not our own:
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Ephesians 5- Make the most of your time
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit...
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This section of scripture came with perfect timing. I have been trying to be effective in accomplishing my job, but progress has been slow. There are so many legitimate things that require my attention, that I have very little time left to do the truly important things in my position.
We have been called to "...do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Colossians 3:23-24). When I am not effective, I am not serving Christ as I should. My work related activities are a direct reflection of what Christ has done in me.
Are you displaying Christ in your work? Lord help me to make the most of the time you have given me!
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit...
Read More
This section of scripture came with perfect timing. I have been trying to be effective in accomplishing my job, but progress has been slow. There are so many legitimate things that require my attention, that I have very little time left to do the truly important things in my position.
We have been called to "...do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Colossians 3:23-24). When I am not effective, I am not serving Christ as I should. My work related activities are a direct reflection of what Christ has done in me.
Are you displaying Christ in your work? Lord help me to make the most of the time you have given me!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ephesians 3- Strengthend to know God's love
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
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Lord, help me to be motivated to serve you in everything. Help me to meditate on your Scripture. Use your Spirit to teach me. Remind me to be prayerful. Draw me close to You. I am nothing on my own, so strengthen me so that I may serve You.
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
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Lord, help me to be motivated to serve you in everything. Help me to meditate on your Scripture. Use your Spirit to teach me. Remind me to be prayerful. Draw me close to You. I am nothing on my own, so strengthen me so that I may serve You.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Ephesians 2- Even our faith is a gift from God
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
...
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Read More
This is a great reminder that everything is truly from God. Vs. 8 is one of my favorite passages because it clearly states that even the Faith required for me to believe in God's incredible plan has been gifted to me. None of salvation is based on what I can do, but solely on what God has done.
Help me to be humble and trust that You are in control.
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
...
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Read More
This is a great reminder that everything is truly from God. Vs. 8 is one of my favorite passages because it clearly states that even the Faith required for me to believe in God's incredible plan has been gifted to me. None of salvation is based on what I can do, but solely on what God has done.
Help me to be humble and trust that You are in control.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ephesians 1- God works all things according to His will
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10 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 Him
11 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 Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Read More
How incredible a passage. I really wanted to copy the entire chapter in here. Anyway, look at vs. 11... My wife was just telling me not to worry about the things at work, because ultimately God has a plan for my life. It doesn't matter what decisions are made, NOTHING will take God by surprise. He has a plan for me and if I allow Him to lead me I will be in His will!
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10 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 Him
11 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 Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Read More
How incredible a passage. I really wanted to copy the entire chapter in here. Anyway, look at vs. 11... My wife was just telling me not to worry about the things at work, because ultimately God has a plan for my life. It doesn't matter what decisions are made, NOTHING will take God by surprise. He has a plan for me and if I allow Him to lead me I will be in His will!
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