Know the Truth

Currently I am working on a Bible study written by Kelly Minter, No Other Gods, Confronting our Modern-Day Idols and I am being challenged with how I am living my life – in all aspects. This study combined with my reading of Ephesians is showing me things in my life that are taking away from my relationship with Jesus Christ.

 This week in through Kelly Minter study I am learning more about deceiving thoughts and lies that worm their way into my everyday life. I can start my day out in God’s word, in prayer, listening to praise music, or singing praise myself but, inevitably somewhere along the line the day gets consumed with daily tasks or mindless entertainment. These are not necessarily bad by themselves, but when I take my focus off of whose I am, they become deceptions. How often do I watch or listen to something that is not filling my mind with the things of God, but really going against the things of God. How many times do I let the routine of the day take precedence over sitting at the feet of God?  Then I need to ask, how often I allow the world’s view guide my life instead of a biblical view.

Ephesians 4:17-24 reminds me of how I should go through my days – putting off the way I used to be and allowing myself to be led by the Holy Spirit seeking The Truth. Ephesians 4:17-24 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.  They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus.  You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires;
you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.(HCSB)
Left to myself I would fall into deception and would probably be teaching some of the deceptive lies. Thank God that He is faithful to lead me, to walk with me, to protect me, and to love me! God is stronger than anyone or thing that I could imagine. We are going to have struggles or challenges in our lives. Some of them will be deception coming out of mouths of those we watch, listen to, or encounter. Knowing God’s word is the only way to get through these times. II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (HCSB).
 In order for me to live a new life in Christ, with freedom and security from lies and deception, I need to be trained, taught, and corrected. Only through my relationship with Jesus Christ and studying His word will I be successful. Through God's grace, as I study seek His wisdom I will know the Truth and recognize the deceiving lies.  

Challenges - Small or Big - Where do You Get Your Strength?

Daily challenges strike in a multitude of ways. Some days they may come as a sick child, an unexpected meeting at work, a car accident, a leak in a bathroom, and the list goes on. How do we deal with the challenges that come to us? I don’t mean a major event in life; I’m talking about everyday events. Without a doubt, I believe God’s word when we are told because of our faith; we are to go to God with boldness and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. How often do we do this?  Do we wait until there is a major event or crisis in our lives or do we go before God with boldness and confidence daily?

My desire is to cling to God’s word and practice what it teaches. Additionally, I’m working to claim the promises in God’s word, starting with His promise of providing a counselor to be with me forever- teaching me and reminding me of all that I have learned of Christ. (John 14). As I walk day to day, and deal with challenges, I have access to talk to God. I have the presence of the Holy Spirit with me every minute of every day.

Recently I have been praying through God’s word in Ephesians. In chapter 1:15-23, Paul tells the Ephesians that since he heard of their faith in Jesus he gives thanks for them when he prays. When I continue through these verses I pray these back to God for myself – asking Him to give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. I ask God to show me His power – the power that he showed those around when Jesus was raised from the dead. Sometimes the power that I need to see and experience is getting through the challenges in my day. When I see God working with small events in my life, it makes facing major trials easier to walk through.

God is gracious. God is merciful. God is powerful. Are you seeking Him to experience Him in an abundant life and have strength to get through challenges that you face? Start by praying His word back to Him.

Ephesians 1:15-23 (HCSB)

This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.  I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what the hope of His calling is, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

God’s Power in Christ

 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens-- far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put everything under His feet^] and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.