Ephesians (NOV 14)
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REVIEW AND REFLECTION from Eph 1 & 2:: (I did read and meditate on Eph 1 & 2, although it was a few weeks ago. I'm starting over with a review and reflection of these 2 chapters.)
[Eph 1] His glorious grace and riches; and all things for His glory.
I have fallen short of this daily self examination of testing not just my actions but my attitudes as well. As I look back over the last several weeks, I confess right now, the sin of (and cravings) for self righteousness. God has provided so much, including His own great power, yet I tend to squander it.
My Prayer: Please forgive me Lord. Wash me, again, clean. Wash my thoughts and mind clean that I may glorify you. May I never take for granted Your love, sacrifice, grace, and abundant riches of eternal worth. Amen.
[Eph 2] Flesh (sin nature) has cravings and desires but because of God's love, mercy, and grace we can choose to follow and obey Jesus instead of following the cravings of the sin nature. Jesus did all the work for us, it is our job to choose eternally (salvation) and daily/hourly (sanctification) to follow Him; to follow His ways and do the works God prepared for us to do. God has given us so much; we need to get our will in alignment with Him, accept His way as the pathway to peace, acknowledge that as we do so, we are simply making room for God to move, sanctify, redeem, so God gets all the credit. This context of God's grace and our sinful nature, remind me about God's Holy integrity to not cross the boundary He set in giving mankind free will. Although this isn't specifically referred to here, the choice is mentioned here. God went to extraordinary lengths to provide so much for us, even the daily power to say no to the cravings of the flesh, but we have to fully realize that all that is a gift from Him. Even self-control and good works, are gifts of grace m, given to us that we have to accept and choose. God in His Holiness will not cross the boundary of free will and force us to. He planned, sacrificed, paid, provided and gave us all we will ever need BUT we have to choose and accept them.
Jesus is our Peace. He removed the hostility within and without. Bringing peace and oneness to our flesh and spirit, by fulfilling the penalty of the law. He is the Peace of mankind bringing peace between people groups by adopting them all into one family with equal standing and equal inheritances. Within this unified family we all honor the abiding presence of the only one who deserves credit, honor and glory (God 😉). I like the present progressive tense here. God is still at work, giving time for people to choose Him. He is also presently and progressively making peace within, providing and producing more and more of His character within each of those who say yes to Him, who choose to glorify Him (give Him credit) daily in our choosing to utilize His gift of grace and follow Jesus.
I am encouraged by the description of family relationship and God's grace. Oh how I need it! I have no need (excuse) to be held to the desires and craving of my sinful nature (pride, selfishness, laziness, and passivity). I can invite Jesus as my Peace to speak to condemnation and set me free to presently and progressively walk in a manner that is recognizable as a child of the Heavenly Father, and woman of God possessing His gifts and character.
My Prayer: Father, you are my good Father. As I enter the active part of my day, I am asking that your Holy Spirit would keep these words of grace in my mind and heart. That they would fill my heart not with empty gush, but with truth and honest gratefulness. In a day where we are confronted with acts of terror, may my mind, heart and even my body rest in your Peace. By your power, may I take hold of your power to not follow the cravings of my pride, lazy selfishness, and passivity, and instead choose to follow and gratify the desires of the Holy Spirit. Father fill my heart/mind, and spirit with a deeper understanding of your grace, so much so that with gentle boldness it over flows into all I do and say. Lord I truly want these things made manifest in my life and in the lives of my sisters and brothers in your family. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and for your constant intercession for us all. Father God, please soften the hearts of those who have not yet chosen you, and do what only your know needs to be done to draw those to you, whose hearts are against you. Take a stand oh Lord of host against our enemies! Renown your name in the earth and in our lives.
In the highly honored name of Jesus, I ask, Amen.
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