Friday, March 22, 2013
Where To Even Begin?
If you are like me you would rather replace something than restore it, for the process of restoration takes work. Even trying to clean a room like a garage, basement, attic etc. can be overwhelming, it's like where do I even begin, so I just put it off. Now how about those who have been effected by Super Storm Sandy? Wow, I honestly cannot imagine! Many of the people have to start completely over for there is nothing than can be restored, all they have is memories.
How about when it comes to our lives? Many of us have experienced our own super storm, we might not have material destruction but we have shattered lives, broken hearts. As Christians we are all in a process of restoration, the question that needs to be addressed for us who have extremely messed up lives is where to even begin?
In Ephesians 4:17-19 we get the answer, we need to start by removing our stinking thinking. Salvation changes the heart but the mind remains the same unless we choose to no longer be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Jesus paid the price once for all regarding our eternal security but to walk out our salvation it takes work.
A baby will not grow physically without drinking milk and neither will we grow spiritually without daily intake of the word of God. The soul is made up of our mind, will, and intellect. It is great to say we are saved but it won't amount to anything but a ticket to heaven if we don't change the way we think. God's will is that heaven come to earth, we access heaven through faith in His Word.
Like boxers, daily we enter the ring. If we are spiritually illiterate we have nothing to counter the enemy, so when he swings, we may duck, but eventually he connects because one can only be on the defense so long without an offensive response. Even if one begins to get knocked around if they just don't get knocked down and make it through the round, they can recover between rounds. We need daily spiritual breaks where we can regroup and like Ephesians 4:23 says allow the Holy Spirit (our personal Trainer) to renew our thoughts and attitudes. It's best to avoid being knocked down, one can only handle so many blows before they are knocked out. In the fight called life we have a choice in every situation to take a break when we need it and respond when we are spiritually right.
If we fight flesh with flesh we have no advantage, we will meet our match. It will be a battle described in Ephesians 4:28-31, with the fleshly characteristics of lying, stealing, cursing, bitterness, rage, anger, slander, etc. If we fight flesh with God's Spirit, we will respond in opposite manner, with lies we will respond with truth, with stealing we will respond with giving, with cursing we will respond with blessing, with bitterness, rage, anger, and slander we will respond with kindness, forgiveness, and tenderheartedness. Holy Spirit always has the upper hand, if we fight darkness with light, sin is dispelled, curses broken, and victory enforced.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Maturing In Christ
Maturing In Christ
As a parent I often get impatient with my kids, I have spoiled them, and so they like things easy, so when I expect them to be helpful, they make excuses. Training a child takes work, one cannot expect a child to figure everything out on their own, they need parental guidance. Children are lazy and disrespectful because we allow them to be. To raise up a child in a godly manner will require time, effort, and persistence. Parental neglect is one of the biggest causes behind behavioral issues. Children are guided more by media than anything else. What one absorbs will create the thought patterns that decisions are based on. So if we expect our kids to be shaped the way we want them to be then we as parents got to be the chief guiding factor.
It is understandable for a toddler to still be crawling but above toddler it means there's a disability. When someone's maturity level is stunted much below there age, it is called arrested development. Paul tells the Ephesians in chapter 4 that they need to get up and walk better yet, run, meaning they should be further ahead. There is a process of spiritual growth that parallels natural growth. God desires His children to mature, for the more they grow the more they reflect Him.
We need to learn how to parent, how to help others mature, for very few of us were parented well ourselves, therefore we don't have the personal example, but thank God for the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things pertaining to life and godliness. We are instructed in Ephesians 4 to correct in humility, for making someone feel less than is pride, and resistance will follow . We are to be an outpouring of God's love. The consistent love shared will break down walls and open hearts and the response will eventually be honor and respect.
Ephesians 4:4-6 reminds us that we all have one God, one faith, one baptism, who rules over, works through, and is present in all. So we must learn to trust Him, and do all we can to stay united with one another despite all our differences. Since we are so different, we can't expect to make someone always see the same way we do, so how united can we truly become. Instead of our differences dividing us we should celebrate them for they balance us out, that is a mature perspective. When differences arise we who are mature are to quickly mend them. We are not to wait for the other to apologize we must take the initiative. If the difference is something that is ungodly and they are not willing to receive truth, let us not argue but pray that God will help show them the Truth, and just continue to love them and hope that with time when there heart is ready they will see things differently.
It is much easier to connect with those you can relate with, that is why we have so many different groups within the church, but how then can we help each other grow if we are around only those at a similar level? We are one body and have a part to play with different responsibilities, which includes our own growth and helping others grow. So therefore we need to be part of a variety of groups that allow for all our spiritual responsibilities to be met.
Ephesians 4:7-13 states that Christ (the anointing) has supplied us with gifts for the purpose of building up the body. Some of us have been given the gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher for equipping each member with the necessary grace to mature and develop into the fullness of Christ. Each of these offices within the body are like different nutrients and each member needs an adequate amount of each to grow in a healthy balanced manner. It is the wide variety of these gifts that I regularly receive from that has allowed me to mature at such a rapid rate. The Apostle keeps me focused on Christ and helps me see the big picture, the Prophet speaks into specific areas within my heart that need work on and helps me discover my identity, the evangelist prepares me in spreading the gospel and winning souls, the Pastor helps me through my daily struggles, the teacher keeps me grounded on God's Word.
God does not want us to stay at the maturity level of a child for good. He wants us to keep the faith of a child, simply trusting Him, but growing in responsibility, so we can reflect Him in all of His ways. Children can be easily persuaded or taken advantage of, moved by different winds of doctrine, a responsible adult is steadfast, unmovable, cannot be easily shaken by the circumstances around them. Maturity as we have seen cannot come by being isolated being part of the body means we need each other to grow.
It is understandable for a toddler to still be crawling but above toddler it means there's a disability. When someone's maturity level is stunted much below there age, it is called arrested development. Paul tells the Ephesians in chapter 4 that they need to get up and walk better yet, run, meaning they should be further ahead. There is a process of spiritual growth that parallels natural growth. God desires His children to mature, for the more they grow the more they reflect Him.
We need to learn how to parent, how to help others mature, for very few of us were parented well ourselves, therefore we don't have the personal example, but thank God for the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things pertaining to life and godliness. We are instructed in Ephesians 4 to correct in humility, for making someone feel less than is pride, and resistance will follow . We are to be an outpouring of God's love. The consistent love shared will break down walls and open hearts and the response will eventually be honor and respect.
Ephesians 4:4-6 reminds us that we all have one God, one faith, one baptism, who rules over, works through, and is present in all. So we must learn to trust Him, and do all we can to stay united with one another despite all our differences. Since we are so different, we can't expect to make someone always see the same way we do, so how united can we truly become. Instead of our differences dividing us we should celebrate them for they balance us out, that is a mature perspective. When differences arise we who are mature are to quickly mend them. We are not to wait for the other to apologize we must take the initiative. If the difference is something that is ungodly and they are not willing to receive truth, let us not argue but pray that God will help show them the Truth, and just continue to love them and hope that with time when there heart is ready they will see things differently.
It is much easier to connect with those you can relate with, that is why we have so many different groups within the church, but how then can we help each other grow if we are around only those at a similar level? We are one body and have a part to play with different responsibilities, which includes our own growth and helping others grow. So therefore we need to be part of a variety of groups that allow for all our spiritual responsibilities to be met.
Ephesians 4:7-13 states that Christ (the anointing) has supplied us with gifts for the purpose of building up the body. Some of us have been given the gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher for equipping each member with the necessary grace to mature and develop into the fullness of Christ. Each of these offices within the body are like different nutrients and each member needs an adequate amount of each to grow in a healthy balanced manner. It is the wide variety of these gifts that I regularly receive from that has allowed me to mature at such a rapid rate. The Apostle keeps me focused on Christ and helps me see the big picture, the Prophet speaks into specific areas within my heart that need work on and helps me discover my identity, the evangelist prepares me in spreading the gospel and winning souls, the Pastor helps me through my daily struggles, the teacher keeps me grounded on God's Word.
God does not want us to stay at the maturity level of a child for good. He wants us to keep the faith of a child, simply trusting Him, but growing in responsibility, so we can reflect Him in all of His ways. Children can be easily persuaded or taken advantage of, moved by different winds of doctrine, a responsible adult is steadfast, unmovable, cannot be easily shaken by the circumstances around them. Maturity as we have seen cannot come by being isolated being part of the body means we need each other to grow.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Restored Art!
Restored Art!
I was looking at some pictures today from a few years ago and it reminded me that life with God is full of special memories and special people. God, the Father, the master artist, is painting the most amazing mysterious picture and we are personal witnesses as it unfolds.
Do you ever find yourself so preoccupied with responsibilities that life is no longer enjoyable? Why do you think youth prefer not to be around adults? Because we are so serious, we no longer know how to have fun. Let us not lose our childlike faith. Joy does not come because life is easy and full of fun, it comes because we trust God no matter what.
I had a demanding job that created heavy pressure. I chose though in the midst of working hard to enjoy it, to create an environment where as a group we accomplished much and enjoyed each others company by keeping a positive attitude. Joy is contagious, there was one lady that worked with us that always had a sour look on her face, yet it didn't take long before she herself was laughing and having a good time while she still got her work done.
We have to remember God is with us, Emmanuel! We are not surviving but thriving, we have His grace our work is His work so with His added strength everything turns to gold. When we worry, stress, have fear and anxiety it is because we don't trust God and are trying to accomplish things alone. Our Attitude reflects our altitude. If our thoughts are above we see through a Heavenly unlimited perspective, if our thoughts are just on our circumstances we have a earthly limited perspective.
Paul prays for the Ephesians in chapter 3 verse 14-21 that God would empower them with His unlimited strength through His Spirit, that Christ would make His home in their hearts, that they would understand and experience how deep and wide is His love, being made complete with all the fullness of life and power in God.
Let us speak like Paul over ourselves and into others what God desires to create into being. For God has chosen us to work with Him in restoring His beautiful painting called Earth. Since we are made in the image of God our words create, the bible says "death and life is in the power of the tongue." Just like God used Adam to name the animals and cultivate the earth, He uses our words and actions as His paintbrush.
We are called to restore this beautiful painting removing what has been distorted by sin with how things were in the garden of Eden, God and man in holy union with all of creation in perfect harmony with Him.
Do you ever find yourself so preoccupied with responsibilities that life is no longer enjoyable? Why do you think youth prefer not to be around adults? Because we are so serious, we no longer know how to have fun. Let us not lose our childlike faith. Joy does not come because life is easy and full of fun, it comes because we trust God no matter what.
I had a demanding job that created heavy pressure. I chose though in the midst of working hard to enjoy it, to create an environment where as a group we accomplished much and enjoyed each others company by keeping a positive attitude. Joy is contagious, there was one lady that worked with us that always had a sour look on her face, yet it didn't take long before she herself was laughing and having a good time while she still got her work done.
We have to remember God is with us, Emmanuel! We are not surviving but thriving, we have His grace our work is His work so with His added strength everything turns to gold. When we worry, stress, have fear and anxiety it is because we don't trust God and are trying to accomplish things alone. Our Attitude reflects our altitude. If our thoughts are above we see through a Heavenly unlimited perspective, if our thoughts are just on our circumstances we have a earthly limited perspective.
Paul prays for the Ephesians in chapter 3 verse 14-21 that God would empower them with His unlimited strength through His Spirit, that Christ would make His home in their hearts, that they would understand and experience how deep and wide is His love, being made complete with all the fullness of life and power in God.
Let us speak like Paul over ourselves and into others what God desires to create into being. For God has chosen us to work with Him in restoring His beautiful painting called Earth. Since we are made in the image of God our words create, the bible says "death and life is in the power of the tongue." Just like God used Adam to name the animals and cultivate the earth, He uses our words and actions as His paintbrush.
We are called to restore this beautiful painting removing what has been distorted by sin with how things were in the garden of Eden, God and man in holy union with all of creation in perfect harmony with Him.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
What's Your Plan?
What's Your Plan?
Have you ever been in a situation where you just don't know what to do? You were caught off guard, not prepared for what you were facing and therefore had no plan on how to respond?
Life is full of uncertainties, we have many paths we can follow. God has one way for us, it is narrow, and few follow. Some of us take life as it comes, we go here and there depending on the moment with little forethought. Others plan so hard that they don't move until everything falls rightly in place. Yet many are afraid of taking risks so they follow the wide path that seems safe yet leads to disaster.
Can we say we know God's plan for our life? We cannot know it fully for it is beyond what we can imagine or think, but if we are walking with God, we should know enough to move forward. Paul here in Ephesians chapter 3 shares God's plan that was revealed to him. Paul was not confused and unstable but certain of his calling, and so should we.
Before I knew Jesus I had like a million plans for my life, so I kept changing my mind what I really wanted to do, and therefore changing my college degree, which wasted a lot of time and money. Now that I know Jesus I have so much confidence, I trust that He knows what is ahead of me, and is guiding me step by step. I have an inner witness that I am in His perfect will. He gives me enough of a glimpse ahead to make the decisions necessary to prepare for what is to come.
It is amazing to know that God has a plan for our lives, there is a reason we exist. He has made us unique, different than anyone else for a specific purpose.
Paul in Ephesians 3:6-7 "And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News."
This is God's ultimate plan and we all have a specific role with gifts and talents given to fulfill it. And as Paul states we don't deserve God's blessings yet because of His love for us He blesses us anyway. We the church have been set apart to display God's wisdom in it's rich variety (vs.7). If we follow God's plan the unique specifics will be revealed as needed. So let us therefore use whatever He has put in our hands, whatever he has placed in our hearts to spread His Good News.
Life is full of uncertainties, we have many paths we can follow. God has one way for us, it is narrow, and few follow. Some of us take life as it comes, we go here and there depending on the moment with little forethought. Others plan so hard that they don't move until everything falls rightly in place. Yet many are afraid of taking risks so they follow the wide path that seems safe yet leads to disaster.
Can we say we know God's plan for our life? We cannot know it fully for it is beyond what we can imagine or think, but if we are walking with God, we should know enough to move forward. Paul here in Ephesians chapter 3 shares God's plan that was revealed to him. Paul was not confused and unstable but certain of his calling, and so should we.
Before I knew Jesus I had like a million plans for my life, so I kept changing my mind what I really wanted to do, and therefore changing my college degree, which wasted a lot of time and money. Now that I know Jesus I have so much confidence, I trust that He knows what is ahead of me, and is guiding me step by step. I have an inner witness that I am in His perfect will. He gives me enough of a glimpse ahead to make the decisions necessary to prepare for what is to come.
It is amazing to know that God has a plan for our lives, there is a reason we exist. He has made us unique, different than anyone else for a specific purpose.
Paul in Ephesians 3:6-7 "And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News."
This is God's ultimate plan and we all have a specific role with gifts and talents given to fulfill it. And as Paul states we don't deserve God's blessings yet because of His love for us He blesses us anyway. We the church have been set apart to display God's wisdom in it's rich variety (vs.7). If we follow God's plan the unique specifics will be revealed as needed. So let us therefore use whatever He has put in our hands, whatever he has placed in our hearts to spread His Good News.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
I've Come So Far
I've Come So Far
I am not at all satisfied with my Christian walk. Yet, it doesn't take long reflecting on who I once was to be appreciative of who I now am. Change doesn't come easy, even before God is done working in one area He begins to work on the next, it is a life long process.
I am in a season of expanding my knowledge, to be greater equipped as a leader to serve people more effectively. Change comes with a price, I want to learn, but I don't want to work hard. Problem is you can't have both.
Ephesians 2:11-22 reminds us that we were once on the outside, we were disconnected with God, the Jews had the law, it affected them outwardly but not inwardly, and now we with the Jews have become one with God not by the law but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation's price has already been paid by Jesus on the cross, so it's free, but walking out that salvation, takes picking up the cross, living a life of self-denial, now that comes with a cost, our lives. Yet this work is not done in our own strength it is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our daily duty is to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, then we carry the grace of God and can do all things through Christ.
The only way man can be united with God and with one another, where cultural, personality, gender, and race differences are not a problem is through the Holy Spirit. The church is so divided because believers are not yielding to the Holy Spirit and rather are trying to walk with God, and understand the bible in their own strength and reasoning.
The quicker we get out of the way and submit to God by yielding to the Holy Spirit the further we get ahead and the more we become. I want to spend myself fully unto the Lord and not be disappointed for what coulda, shoulda, woulda.
Do ever feel like you have a hit a plateau, where you are no longer growing?
Often, this develops because of the lack of connection with the rest of the body. Since we are part of a body made up of many members, our growth is determined by how inter-connected we are. One can only go so far alone. Ephesians 2:19-22 describes how we are the temple of God built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the chief cornerstone Jesus Christ. Only when each member operates together as one can we be build up. So if we want to grow further, no matter how difficult dealing with each other may be, it is the only way.
I am in a season of expanding my knowledge, to be greater equipped as a leader to serve people more effectively. Change comes with a price, I want to learn, but I don't want to work hard. Problem is you can't have both.
Ephesians 2:11-22 reminds us that we were once on the outside, we were disconnected with God, the Jews had the law, it affected them outwardly but not inwardly, and now we with the Jews have become one with God not by the law but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation's price has already been paid by Jesus on the cross, so it's free, but walking out that salvation, takes picking up the cross, living a life of self-denial, now that comes with a cost, our lives. Yet this work is not done in our own strength it is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our daily duty is to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, then we carry the grace of God and can do all things through Christ.
The only way man can be united with God and with one another, where cultural, personality, gender, and race differences are not a problem is through the Holy Spirit. The church is so divided because believers are not yielding to the Holy Spirit and rather are trying to walk with God, and understand the bible in their own strength and reasoning.
The quicker we get out of the way and submit to God by yielding to the Holy Spirit the further we get ahead and the more we become. I want to spend myself fully unto the Lord and not be disappointed for what coulda, shoulda, woulda.
Do ever feel like you have a hit a plateau, where you are no longer growing?
Often, this develops because of the lack of connection with the rest of the body. Since we are part of a body made up of many members, our growth is determined by how inter-connected we are. One can only go so far alone. Ephesians 2:19-22 describes how we are the temple of God built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the chief cornerstone Jesus Christ. Only when each member operates together as one can we be build up. So if we want to grow further, no matter how difficult dealing with each other may be, it is the only way.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
If Not For Grace!
Can you believe the crazy thoughts we think sometimes? Imagine if we did not have the grace of God to keep us restrained, and therefore followed through with our evil intentions. Where would our life be? We so easily judge others putting expectations on them when we know we are far from perfect and if others could read our mind we would look no different than them. We are all capable of doing wrong, if not for God who get's all the credit, we would not be who we are.
Ephesians 2:2 says the "devil is at work in the hearts of unbelievers," so we should expect therefore his nature regarding their character. Why are we so shocked then when people behave a certain way, how else should we expect demonically influenced people to act. Humanism teaches that all people are basically good as long as they are in the right environment. Wrong, we are all prone to do evil, it is in our Adamic nature, we are born that way.
Have you ever gotten something you did not deserve? Often, I spoil my sons with what they want even when they didn't earn it. We haven't earned anything, yet God who is so rich in mercy because of His love for us (Ephesians 2:4), has blessed us with an incredible wealth of grace and kindness in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-7).
Why are we so blessed? So we can take the gift of salvation that we don't deserve and therefore cannot take any credit for, or ownership of, and use it to do the things He has planned for us.
Have you ever given a gift to someone and wish you hadn't because they did not use it for what it was intended? This happens often with my kids, what I give them becomes idols, an object of selfish obsession, my wife got so upset the other day, she rightfully destroyed one.
When we take salvation and don't pass it on to others, just enjoying it for ourselves, God's blessings have become idols. Salvation was given not just for our sake but for the world. To love God is to walk with God, to walk with God takes obeying His commands, the greatest of which, is to go into all the world and make disciples.
As Romans 12:1 says "considering the mercies of God let us present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him."
Ephesians 2:2 says the "devil is at work in the hearts of unbelievers," so we should expect therefore his nature regarding their character. Why are we so shocked then when people behave a certain way, how else should we expect demonically influenced people to act. Humanism teaches that all people are basically good as long as they are in the right environment. Wrong, we are all prone to do evil, it is in our Adamic nature, we are born that way.
Have you ever gotten something you did not deserve? Often, I spoil my sons with what they want even when they didn't earn it. We haven't earned anything, yet God who is so rich in mercy because of His love for us (Ephesians 2:4), has blessed us with an incredible wealth of grace and kindness in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-7).
Why are we so blessed? So we can take the gift of salvation that we don't deserve and therefore cannot take any credit for, or ownership of, and use it to do the things He has planned for us.
Have you ever given a gift to someone and wish you hadn't because they did not use it for what it was intended? This happens often with my kids, what I give them becomes idols, an object of selfish obsession, my wife got so upset the other day, she rightfully destroyed one.
When we take salvation and don't pass it on to others, just enjoying it for ourselves, God's blessings have become idols. Salvation was given not just for our sake but for the world. To love God is to walk with God, to walk with God takes obeying His commands, the greatest of which, is to go into all the world and make disciples.
As Romans 12:1 says "considering the mercies of God let us present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him."
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Fill Us, Fill the World!
Fill Us, Fill the World
How does the world change for the better?
Change first begins with oneself and then it can be transferred to others. If each one reaches one multiplication takes place.
Prayer is the key, words create, so when we speak the Word of God in prayer for another, we change what is to what God desires to be. It is easy to agree with what we see, it takes faith to disagree with what we see and speak what God wants to see. For example you may observe your child behaving rebelliously and out of frustration speak down to your child, which is actually agreeing with what you see, giving more power to it. Faith chooses to see the situation and speak the will of God releasing the Holy Spirit to counter one's fleshly nature.
A quote I often speak but fall very short from is "pray about everything talk about nothing, pray for everyone, talk about no one." I want to pray without ceasing, where every word that comes out of my mouth is the will of the Father. This can only come by God's grace, so Holy Spirit more, more of you, in my life, in Jesus Name!
In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is speaking to the Ephesians in this exact manner. Paul is speaking that they would grow in spiritual wisdom, insight, and the knowledge of God. He prays that they would know the hope He has given them and the riches of their inheritance. He prays that they would know the incredible power that God gives those who believe in Him. Paul wants them to understand who they now are in Christ, that Jesus has been given all authority and therefore His church is the recipient of all that is His, and we are to use what He has given us to fill the earth with Him.
The Word of God is the tool that perfects us, the words of the world are used to condemn us. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to control our tongue so that we speak life and not death. So we agree with the ministry of the Holy Spirit that reconciles man to God rather than the Devil whose ministry is to divide the church and separate man from God.
I find when I am disappointed when my expectations are not met by my loved ones I am prone to speak negatively towards them. It does no good, it just makes the situation darker. It may be reality but it is not God's intention and therefore agreeing with darkness cannot change anything, only speaking the Word of God, releases the light of Christ that dispels darkness and God's glory manifests.
Change first begins with oneself and then it can be transferred to others. If each one reaches one multiplication takes place.
Prayer is the key, words create, so when we speak the Word of God in prayer for another, we change what is to what God desires to be. It is easy to agree with what we see, it takes faith to disagree with what we see and speak what God wants to see. For example you may observe your child behaving rebelliously and out of frustration speak down to your child, which is actually agreeing with what you see, giving more power to it. Faith chooses to see the situation and speak the will of God releasing the Holy Spirit to counter one's fleshly nature.
A quote I often speak but fall very short from is "pray about everything talk about nothing, pray for everyone, talk about no one." I want to pray without ceasing, where every word that comes out of my mouth is the will of the Father. This can only come by God's grace, so Holy Spirit more, more of you, in my life, in Jesus Name!
In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is speaking to the Ephesians in this exact manner. Paul is speaking that they would grow in spiritual wisdom, insight, and the knowledge of God. He prays that they would know the hope He has given them and the riches of their inheritance. He prays that they would know the incredible power that God gives those who believe in Him. Paul wants them to understand who they now are in Christ, that Jesus has been given all authority and therefore His church is the recipient of all that is His, and we are to use what He has given us to fill the earth with Him.
The Word of God is the tool that perfects us, the words of the world are used to condemn us. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to control our tongue so that we speak life and not death. So we agree with the ministry of the Holy Spirit that reconciles man to God rather than the Devil whose ministry is to divide the church and separate man from God.
I find when I am disappointed when my expectations are not met by my loved ones I am prone to speak negatively towards them. It does no good, it just makes the situation darker. It may be reality but it is not God's intention and therefore agreeing with darkness cannot change anything, only speaking the Word of God, releases the light of Christ that dispels darkness and God's glory manifests.
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