Rejoicing in My Inconveniences

This is our third week of our GMG Colossians study.  Here's a little of what I've learned this week:

Paul didn’t just witness and help the Gentiles.

He suffered in order to witness and help the Gentiles.

He didn’t just suffer but he rejoiced in those sufferings because he knew they were for a greater cause.  He knew he was making the way a little easier for them.

In the first chapter of Colossians he says:

“…whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,…” Col 1:23-24

 

 

While Paul said:

I consider it an honor to be in prison if it means that you might have heard the gospel.

I’m gladly surrendering ALL my life and freedom so that you can experience freedom through Christ.

I don’t care what others think or even do to me.  My duty is to fulfill and spread God’s Word.

I say:

I could talk to this stranger about Jesus… but they may think I’m crazy.

I might go visit a shut-in…but then I’d have to take two little kids with me and that would be such a hassle.

I should cook a meal for a family that’s had a rough week…but that would take more time than I have.

It’s not always easy spreading the gospel or showing someone the love of Christ.  It may take my time or I may even receive a little ridicule from someone.  However, I’m not anywhere close to suffering. 

Paul rejoiced in his sufferings while I complain about my inconveniences.

In his letter to Philippi Paul said:

“…let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philipians 2:3-4)

Paul didn’t just talk it he walked it.  He was truly able to set aside his own wants for the needs of others.  He had compassion, love, and a strong desire for them to have what he had found- a savior and a friend.  He rejoiced in his sufferings for them.  I’ve really learned something from Paul this week.  Stop viewing opportunities as inconveniences.   Stop complaining and making excuses and start rejoicing and sharing the love of Christ. 

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God First Challenge: Day 8-Keep a Journal or Notebook

My journal at the top- then my GMG notebooks

Day 8 Challenge: Keep a journal/notebook

Day 8 Scripture:  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Psalm 119:18

My son, forget not my law; but let  thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.   Proverbs 3:1-2

 

 

Congrats you've made it half way through the challenge! Hope you're still hanging in there with me-if so I have a little giveaway at the end of this blog post!!!

So...

Getting up early - check

Motivational Scripture - check

Someone holding you accountable - check

Comfy, cozy quiet place - check

Now let's look at why/how we study.  Today's challenge is something I started the first day I begin getting up early. I wrote down the scripture I'd read and any notes/ideas God showed me.  I was doing it completely on my own at that time and studying the book of Nehemiah.  (great study and SO relevant to today). 

Within about 6 weeks of using my journal I discovered GMG and the SOAP method and I've been using it every since.  (I'll discuss the SOAP method in more detail tomorrow.)  With each study I've printed out the GMG study guides and made a binder. 

I now have the entire books of James, 1 John, and Ephesians along with Proverbs 31 completely written out with notes and how it can be applied to my life!  If you're looking for a study to do after finishing this challenge then I highly recommend GMG. They study begins September 17 and they already have the free study guide and a bookmark ready to download-just click the pic below:

 

 

 

Just in a year and a half I've been doing this I've already pulled back out some of the binders to look back over something.  It's a  wonderful resource to have so I encourage you to do the same!  Another great way to use your journal/notebook is for keeping a page of things you're praying for and a page for prayers answered. I'm a little slack on this one!

So in celebration of making half way through the challenge with me I'm giving away a journal!!!  Just leave me a comment here on the blog telling me how the challenge is going for you (it's ok-be honest!) and you'll be entered to win!  I'll choose someone using random.org and announce the winner on Tuesday, September 11th.

Good luck!

God First: Day 7-Find An Accountability Partner

Most of my GMG group

  

Day 7 Challenge:  Find an Accountability Partner

Day 7 Scripture:  Proverbs 27:17, Ecc. 4:9-10

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:  but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”  Ecc. 4:9-10

It’s amazing how much more you can accomplish when someone’s holding you accountable.  For me it’s my Good Morning Girls Group. We contact each other every morning (Monday-Friday).  I have to admit there have been a couple mornings I’ve still been in bed and I get a notification from one of these inspiring ladies and it encourages me to get up but also puts some extra pressure knowing they’re expecting me to post too.             

I suggest finding at least one friend-maybe more-that you can text, e-mail or even as we did set up a private Facebook group page.  Even if it’s just a simple “I got up and in God’s word this morning!”  It’s a start!  Ours started out this way but now it’s “This is how I can apply this scripture to my life…” or “This part really stuck out to me…”  Every now and then we’ll even have a post end with “Sorry about the book this morning!”

Some of these ladies were really just acquaintances when we first started our group.  But over the past year and a half we’ve shared prayer requests, struggles and victories! They have come to be some of my closest and dearest friends and now I can’t imagine my life without them in it.  I pray that everyone will find ladies as committed and uplifting as I have!  For my complete “story” on how our GMG group was created read here.

So what are you waiting for?  Call, text, e-mail, or tweet someone today!  There are SO many ways to communicate now there really is NO excuse!! Do you have an accountability partner(s)?  How do you keep in touch?

 

 

 

He Restores My Soul Even When I Least Expect It

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Psalm 23:3-4

Photo Credit

First of all, yes I am still alive although there have been moments I've wondered myself.  And I now interrupt this blog hiatus to share a little from my Good Morning Girls group and how God works in my life everyday!

We've been studying Proverbs 31 and I've had mixed feelings about it.

Just to be honest there are mornings I've woken up with a terrible attitude dreading opening my Bible to see what area I'm totally slacking in now.

Then there have been those mornings I've realized what it's all about-not me but Him.  I can't do it but He can.  He didn't create me to be perfect but to trust in Him to work through me for in my weaknesses He shines even brighter. Which leads me to today...


I woke up this morning grabbed my Bible, GMG notebook and cup of coffee and headed to the porch.  I was the first one to post on our GMG Facebook page and here's a shortened version of my post:

Good morning girls! Great scripture this morning!!   I got so much out of the first 4 words "He restoreth my soul".   I thought about my friend Brittni and how she does such a good job at restoring old furniture.   She finds pieces that others no longer want and some even consider trash and cleans them up, adds a fresh coat of paint, new fixtures and then they are as good as new. Some may have even been used for a different purpose than intended (like a dresser for an entertainment stand) but it works and works well. 



I'm thankful that when I feel "all used up", that I've given all I have to give, and don't know anything else to do or how I can go any further (especially when striving to be the Proverbs 31... woman) I know where to get restored!  Sometimes it's a good cleaning up, sometimes it's a fresh look/different perspective and sometimes it's just strength to carry on but whatever I need-He's it!   

 Thought I'd share some notes on these two verses from a Bible study on Psalm 23:

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake"

 Often when sheep eat the grass they are very lazy and will just lie around causing a gas to form in their stomach and blows them up to a point it can even come up in their throat and suffocate them. The shepherd must get the sheep up and moving to restore their life. Often when we get lazy or discouraged we must depend on God "restore our soul" and get us moving in the right direction. 

 "he leadeth me"-If a sheep wandered from the fold the shepherd left the fold and would find it. When he did he would break one of it's legs and carry it back so he would not stray again. Once back in the fold, the shepherd would bandage the leg and carefully watch over the sheep until he recovered. God does the same with us. Even when we stray and don't follow his leadership he disciplines us yet still continues to watch over and care for us.

 "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and staff they comfort me."

 The shepherd used the rod for protection to fight off bear, wolves, etc and the staff for comfort and pulling the sheep back into the fold.

About 5 minutes after I posted I received a notification that our leader, Abby, had posted. Here's the beginning of her post:

Good morning girls! I hope I read the right verses! I read Proverbs 24:3-4....

The next thing I do is pull back out my GMG notebook and checked what I'd read.  It clearly said Proverbs 24:3-4 not Psalms 23:3-4.  How could I have been that off?  This was my comment under Abby's:

Ok-you were right!! I was totally on the wrong scripture and didn't even realize it until I read your post! I would apologize but I guess the Lord knew what I needed this morning! :)

And Abby's:

I needed what you said too! I like it when He takes over! :)

I'm thankful God's still in control even when we think we have it all planned out. He knows exactly what we need and will restore us even when we least expect it!


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Summer Book Club Starts Today!!

Today I will be starting the Ministry of Motherhood book study!  I'm very excited about this study provided by Good Morning Girls!

Click here for the free reading plan and other documents to download.  My plan (time permitting) is to blog about this book study once a week. 

If you're not a Mom or not interested in this particular study.  Then you can also check out Good Morning Girls for their current study on Proverbs 31 which also starts today!  You can download a free study guide and a free e-book, Proverbs 31:One Virtue at a Time.  I've already done this study once but will be doing it again with my Good Morning Girls Group.  I could definitely use a refresher on the Proverbs 31 woman!

I'm looking forward to these summer studies and growing as a woman, wife and Mom.  Hope you will be joining me!  I'm also REALLY looking forward to some "face to face" meetings so if you are then leave me a comment and let me know :)

Announcing a Summer Book Club and My First Giveaway!!

I'm stepping out on faith here and going to do something a little different this summer and I've very excited about it!! I want to do a book study that Good Morning Girls did last summer but open it up to more than just my GMG group since several of you have asked about our group.  I'm still working out some of the details but here's what I've got so far:

WHO:  Anyone, but especially Moms. 

WHAT:  We'll be studying The Ministry of Motherhood by
Sally Clarkson.  You can purchase it from Sally's website or from Amazon.  Or if you prefer the Kindle version then here.  You will need to purchase the book but a study guide (including a reading plan with scripture, SOAP sheets, and other print outs) and videos are provided free through Good Morning Girls. 

What is the book Ministry of Motherhood about?
(taken from the inside flap of the book)

A mother’s day is packed with a multitude of tasks that require energy and time: preparing meals, washing clothes, straightening and cleaning the house, and caring for children. These jobs all are necessary and crucially important. But in the dailyness of providing for a child’s physical, emotional and social needs, vital opportunities for spiritual nurturing and training can be overlooked.

Rather than letting the demands of life determine your parenting priorities, you can focus your energy on what matters most. In this encouraging and empowering book you’ll learn how to:

• make life’s mundane and nitty-gritty moments work for you and not against you
• incorporate character-building as a natural part of life
• teach your child in the same way Jesus taught the disciples
• pass on crucial gifts that will serve your family for a lifetime

Using biblical wisdom and practical teachings, Sally Clarkson shows how you can make a lasting difference in your child’s life by following the pattern Christ set with his own disciples- a model that will inspire and equip you to intentionally embrace the rewarding, desperately needed, and immeasurably valuable Ministry of Motherhood.

WHEN: May 14 - August 17

WHERE:  You can participate all online from the comfort of your own home by accessing the GMG blog and following along here or if you're local then send me a message or comment on this entry and we'll meet in person every other Saturday around 10:00 a.m. for an hour or two to discuss the book and just hang out!  Maybe a brunch, a tea, around the pool-some meetings with and without kids!  Depending on the number we have to participate I may set up our own group page on Facebook to make it easy to communicate.

WHY:  As I've become a Mom and especially a SAHM I've realized how isolating it can be. It's easy to get discouraged and feel that you are doing the same tasks again and again to no avail! So I want to create a group where we can learn more about what God intended Moms to do and encourage each other in our roles as Moms!To be encouraged and encourage other moms! 

Now for the giveaway!!!!

I'm giving away a copy of The Ministry of Motherhood to one lucky winner!!!  Simply leave a comment with something encouraging for other moms:  a quote, favorite scripture or what you love about being a mom and you'll be entered to win. You must comment here on the blog not on FB to be entered.   Just make sure and leave me your e-mail address so I can contact you.  I'll use random.org to choose a winner on Friday!

Contest for US residents only.

I'm looking forward to studying this book and hope you'll join me!!

It's A Wrap

Blogging has been a little slack lately as we've been getting ready for our new arrival!  We're down to less than 2 weeks and I'm counting down so ready for her to be here!!  Over the next few weeks I plan on enjoying our last few days as a family of 3 and then embracing those first few as a family of four!  Blogging will definitely be on the back burner. So here's about 3 blog posts I've been meaning to write over the last week or so wrapped up into one big blog post (Btw-I'm pretty sure this breaks the rules of blogging but Sorry!)

31 Days to Clean:

I officially finished 31 Days Friday. And while I didn't do it as thoroughly as the 1st time I must say I'm feeling pretty accomplished!  The biggest struggle for me this time was cleaning out the closet!  Why is it when you first build your house your closets seem huge then they start shrinking??!  At first I found myself wishing we'd built bigger closets but as I started cleaning out and finding things we SO didn't need (like 9 button up solid white shirts) and others things still in shopping bags with tags still on it, I realized that if my closet was bigger then I'd just put more unnecessary "stuff" in there!  So instead I filled up 3 trash bags and a box with things we no longer needed!  Do you have any idea how nice it is to actually be able to see what clothes and shoes you have and find the ones you need?  I do now!!   I hope those of you doing this challenge along with me finished too or if not you're still hanging in there! Hey, it's OK if it takes a little more than 31 days!  Believe me it'll be worth it in the end!

Before Cleaning out Closet - picture really doesn't do it justice!

After cleaning out closet

Good Morning Girls:

GMG also wrapped up our session on Ephesians Friday. There are so many things I've learned from Paul while studying out Ephesians.  That's one thing I love about studying letters to the churches.  They cover so many things that are so relevant today!  Perhaps my biggest lesson I've learned is how we are all united through Jesus.  No matter who we are, what we look like on the outside, or where we've come from if we've accepted Christ as our Savior then we are a child of the King!  We are brothers and sisters in Christ!  Paul really tried to get this message across at a time when it was first coming to light that Jesus had died and rose again for "whosoever" not just the Jews! 

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling. one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father all in all, and through all and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6.

Unfortunately, telling the truth landed Paul in prison just as I feel many of us in today's churches have imprisoned ourselves and limited God being able to work in us b/c of our narrow minds!  My eyes were opened to see what we have in common-Christ uniting us-instead of letting our differences separate us.  When we as a church can do that then so much more can be accomplished for Him! 

During our break, I plan on catching up on some reading. I hope to finish Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love" (which is FREE for Kindle right now!) and "Mission of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson, studying the scriptures that go along with them.  The next GMG session will be from May 14-Aug 17 and will be on Proverbs 31 for some free downloadable resources check out the Good Morning Girls blog or follow them on FB.
Resolution Check-In:

So I'm about a week late on this one but here's how I did on my March Resolutions:

1. Finish nursery-Check!  Except for a few minor things nursery is complete!  Bedding is complete, everything is washed up and stocked up and we are ready for "Miss Sunshine".

2.   Finish 31 days to Clean-Check!  It's finished and I feel not only like the house is cleaner but more organized.  I've also had a great refresher on my role in our home. All of this once again just in time for "Miss Sunshine".

3.  Be Revived:  Mostly check!  I have definitely been revived. While there are still prayers I'm waiting to see answered we had a wonderful revival at my home church and I have been able to visit several others throughout the county and  see souls saved. I am a little disappointed in myself and say "mostly check" because while I did make a few phone calls or invite people I ran into I did not visit like I'd hoped. But I do feel truly revived and I'm looking forward to going to a few more that are still going on.

4. Sharecropping-  Check (thanks largely to my wonderful brother-in-law)! We have our lettuce, tomatoes and onion planted. Although I must admit all they really would let me do is watch while my brother-in-law did most of the work.  Now if we can just keep the rabbits out I'm looking forward to planting a few more things and enjoying a fresh salad this summer!  My BIL was also kind enough to come plant 3 apple trees at our house so I'm looking forward to enjoying those in the next few years!!

April Resolution:

Have a baby!!  That's pretty much it this month! I feel that's enough!!  Preparing for her arrival, then adjusting once she's here. I hope to make this time as stress free and simple for our family as I can!  I thought I'd feel more prepared with the second one and while I do on the basics there's also a whole different area of feeling unprepared!  So if anyone has any tips on making the transition from one child to two then I'm all ears (or eyes in this case)!!

Realizing My Role In Marriage: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This is one of those posts I really don't want to write but once again I said I'd be honest.  This blog is about me trying to live out my priorities-the good, the bad, and the ugly. So while I'm a little embarrassed here's some of the bad and the ugly!

For the last couple weeks I've been a rather bitter wife.  My husband has been working to provide for our family, coaching and then on weekends he usually is hunting or fishing.  He hasn't been home very much at all.  I'm 35 weeks pregnant and felt that instead he should be home catering to my every need!  Isn't that what husbands are supposed to do while you are pregnant?  Run out for every craving, rub your feet, wait on you hand and foot?

That's not what the Bible says and I've been convicted on that this week during our GMG study.  So many people turn to self-help books or counselors but whom better to listen to than the one who not only CREATED man and woman but the institution of marriage!  He's already laid out the "secret" to a successful marriage for us.  Somehow until this week I'd missed part of it.  I'd read and comprehended  most of it but hadn't really let the 33rd verse of Ephesians sink in and boy is it important!   He created us quite differently but then He told us exactly what the other one needs:

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.  Ephesians 5:33

There's the secret - Women need to be loved and men need to be respected.  I hadn't felt loved (because of my selfish way of thinking) and so in return I hadn't been respecting my husband.

Our GMG post on Monday was a guest post by Dr. Emerson Eggerich.  He says,

"A husband is to obey the command to love even when a wife does not obey this command to respect, a wife is to obey the command to respect even when a husband does not obey this command to love."

Ouch!  That one hit home!!

Then Tuesday I read:  "Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it." Ephesians 5:25.

I went to a Bible Study not long ago and loved the way this scripture was brought out. Christ not only died for the church but he gave himself for it DAILY.  Making sacrifices for us so that not only do we have life but we have it more abundantly. While this says husbands you could easily exchange it for wives too. We should strive daily to make our spouse's life better!  It's easy to say we'd die for them but what about those everyday sacrifices we could make to put them first so that their life could be easier and more abundant?

By Tuesday night when my husband got home I was apologizing. No more griping, trying to make him feel guilty when in reality he was trying his best and doing all he could!   And truth be told I know that if I'd of shared any craving or  other want (not even need) to him he would've gotten or done it for me!  As he has many times!

We are often so stubborn (me especially) and don't want to humble ourselves and admit when we are wrong. However, I've learned that since we are one (Ephesians 5:31) when we love and respect each other then love and respect are usually returned. Of course it also works the other way, when we hurt each other then we are only hurting ourselves!

I love what Whitney says about love and respect and the "Vicious Cycle" in her post this week: 

"Much of our wedding day is a blur, but one thing I’ll never forget is our pastor friend speaking of the “vicious cycle” of love and respect that day.  Since then it has become a popular term that Tyler and I refer to often in our marriage.  It’s the “vicious cycle” that’s explained in Ephesians 5:  when I respect and submit to Tyler out of obedience to God, then it prompts him to respond in love.  And when he loves me as Christ loved the church, I want to respect and submit all the more.  And the cycle continues."

Can you relate? Where is your marriage in this cycle?  Do you need to "re-set" the cycle? 
Here are a couple other blogs on marriage I enjoyed this week:

Being Kind - Joy from Grace Full Mama

Hubby First Hospitality - Karen Ehman   

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Restored, Renewed and Revived

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Ephesians 4:21-24

Re·viv·al [noun]– the act of restoring life

I mentioned in the previous post that Revival season is upon us in our church association.   I love Spring Revival because it’s so easy to look around us and see things being brought back to life, especially this year as it have been unseasonably warm in our area.  We can already see daffodils,  Bradford pears, and even some Dogwoods starting to bloom.  Life is coming back all around us!

It reminds me of our spiritual lives.  Ideally, we’d all love to be constantly fruitful – blooming with God’s love, peace, and joy all the time. But unfortunately we’re human and just like nature, we go through seasons in our spiritual life. 

When we are first saved, God takes out our stony heart and gives us a new one. (Eze.36:26) Our sins along with the person we used to be our buried and we become a new person.  Unfortunately, being this new person doesn’t just come naturally (or at least it doesn’t for me) from that point on.   

2 Corinthians 4:16 says “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Each day I must die out to sin and be renewed by Christ. 

If you look around at the trees during the winter-they’re dead and not much to look at. However, then comes spring, those warmer days when they’re getting the light and the sources of food they need. Then they start to bloom again. Even in our deadest days when we are far from our Light- God is still there.  Even though on the outside we may look and even feel dead and useless- God still has hope for us!  He still has a purpose for our lives! As long as we turn back to Him and get what we need spiritually then He’ll revive us. 

As I study these scriptures this week and prepare for Revival my desire is to truly be restored, renewed and revived:

Restored

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”  Psalm 51:12

Sometimes I need to go back to where it all started.   Remember when you were first saved?   I do!  I remember the joy that came from being made new.  I remember rising from the altar and feeling total peace and contentment.  I remember feeling free from sin.   That joy didn’t just end the next day.  It’s still with me, even though at times I must ask God to restore it.  

Renewed

 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10. 

Sometimes we have to ask God to clean us up!  We must again lay aside the “old man” and His sinful ways.  ANYTHING that is coming between us and God must be cast to the side!  Things have been revealed to me even this week as I’ve studied and prayed for God to show me anything in my life that is a hindrance.  When we put aside these things and clean up our heart, then the right spirit will be renewed!  He can give us an even clearer purpose and desire to do His work!    

Revived  

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”  Isaiah 57:15

 I love that the first part of this verse tells how big and powerful God dwelling in high and holy places.  Yet the end says that when we become humble and sincerely remorseful then He’s right there with us too!  And why is He there?   Because He’s ready and willing to revive us!  When we truly become humble and willing then He is ready give us back life.

 That’s my desire to be on “fire” for Him and about his business!  I want once again to be renewed in the spirit and put on the “new man:!

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One in Christ

This week our GMG group has started the fourth chapter of Ephesians and we are all over one of, if not the, main message Paul is trying to convey to the church. 

 

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6.

One body

One Spirit

One hope

One Lord

One Faith

One Baptism

One God and Father

See a pattern?  Paul is telling them to lay aside their differences. Because of Christ they are now ALL one!    We can have peace and unity through Christ.  His blood made us ALL one! 

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”  Colossians 3:11

Christ himself even prayed for unity in the church:

 

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:  that the world may believe that thou has sent me.”  John 17:21

So Christ died for it, Paul was thrown in prison for it but we still struggle to live in it.   We may blame it on others and the words they say or things they do.  But is it really them or is it us?  Paul gives us some guidelines and characteristics we should live by to help us live in unity:

 

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:1-3

First of all he tells us to walk worthy of being a Christian. In other words walk like Christ.   Then he gives us some specific characteristics:  lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance.  Here’s a little on what Matthew Henry says on each of these in his commentary:

Lowliness – The opposite of pride, humbleness.  “By pride comes contention, by humbleness comes love.”

Meekness – not provoking others, not easily provoked or offended; showing patience and humility, submissive

Long Suffering – patient bearing of injuries, without seeking revenge

Forbearing One Another  - Loving them despite their faults as Christ has loved and forgiven us

That’s a lot to live up to and look at our own lives before we start blaming someone else!  If we truly walked like Christ, had these characteristics and focused on what unites us not divides us then we’d find ourselves dwelling together in unity.  

If you’re attending a church regularly then I’m afraid to say that I can just about guarantee there will come a time when someone is going to say something that’s going to hurt your pride or offend you.  I know they have me before.   The difference comes with what we are going to do about it.  Our first instinct is to lash back, hold a grudge, or just pack up our bags and head to the house!  When really what Paul is telling us here is that it’s often our own selfish pride that causes the confusion and discord.  Chances are the person who said or did something did not mean to intentionally offend us but because of our own selfish pride we were easily provoked and took it that way. 

I hope the next time this happens to me I can evaluate my own life and respond as Christ would.  Focus on the things that unites us not divides us!  If necessary, give the other person grace, forgiveness, love and prayer just as Christ would.  We can accomplish SO much more when we are working together for Christ as one!  After all,

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”  Psalm 133:1

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A Bolder Witness

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Be not though therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:  but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 1 Tim. 1:7-9

As I've been studying the beginning of Ephesians 3 this week this scripture, also written by Paul, has been on my heart.  Paul was called by God to deliver an unpopular, politically incorrect message.  A message that as he said had once been a mystery but had been revealed to him through the Spirit.  (Eph. 3:4-5)  The message was "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." Ephesians 3:6

The Jews certainly did not want to hear this!  They had referred to the Gentiles as "dogs" and certainly didn't see them as their "fellowheirs".  Even though it wasn't easy for them to hear, did that keep Paul from spreading God's truth?  No-not even when he was thrown into prison for it!  Instead he continued  proclaiming the message from prison!  Why? 

"Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.  Therefore, I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:9-10

How I long to be a bolder witness as Paul was!  There are SO many things accepted by today's society that are wrong!  Why?  Because my Bible and the Spirit tells me so!  But do I stand up and speak the truth or do I just shy away from it to avoid "hurting someone's feelings" or for fear of what they'll think about me?  It's my prayer that next time I'm faced with this I'll be a little more like Paul!  Instead of fear, I'll have the spirit of power, love and sound mind and not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord!

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