I've woken up this morning (as I normally do) quite early to do some bible reading over MSN with a friend. She has already done 'chapta' 4, and so I read this before continuing on to Chapter 5.
We're nearly finished the book of Ephesians. It hasn't challenged me to the point where it changes my life, I know it should do, but it hasn't - FACT.
Chapter 4, I feel, has been my favourite. It firstly talks about Unity in the Body of Christ and refreshes you in verse 2 where it states; "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Now, from being a Church goer for like since I was born, I know all these things..and have tried to changed my being to follow them; unsuccessfully. There's nothing quite like reading the words in a bible though; the very thought of seeing clarification; even if you know it's there is quite amazing.
'Living as Children of Light' was a really great section for sort of understanding how we need to change. In verse 17-24 it states; "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and seperated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
I don't know about you, but sometimes I can see myself being so much like the Gentiles. It's really hard when you're stuck in a certain way; gossiping, slagging people off, sin, sin, sin, sin, sin. It's your way of life! But I also want to remember that God is my way of life, my only way of life - no room for the behavings of a Gentile.
The End (Of chapter 4)
Chapter 5
I read the first little bit and was like, aww that's quite sweet; Ephesians Chapter 5 vs 1-2 "Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
The next two paragraphs are quite harsh, but i realised that sometimes in life we need harsh - to sink the message in. The second paragraphs talks about how we must not even portray a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed. We shouldn't be obscene, foolish and basically be nasty to people, or gossip. The verse that really stuck out to me and I love the 4 words so much it was, "The Kingdom of God". Although we all have sinned like this in the past, I understood from the passage that if we continue living a life like this, with absolutely no remorse or acknowledgment of our sins then there is no room for us in the Kingdom of God.
Just the very phrase ; Kingdom of God, sounds so powerful and almighty and it can only but want to make you try your best to live a daily life for God, I know it makes me want to.
Verse 8 to 9 i think it really nice; "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as Children of light (for fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).
There are quite a few things that have really startled me in their harshness in this passage.
Although the following verse didn't startle me, I wanted to add it in - for a friend :P lol Verse 18 - "Do not get drunk on wine" - this doesn't just mean wine..it could mean....Vodka and irn bru perhaps? :D
The section on Wives and Husbands I feel is quite startling
"Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his body of which he is the Saviour. Now as the Church submits to Christ, so also Wives should submit to their husbands in everything" We live in the 21st Century today and although this appears harsh in the bible, I think it's basically saying here that Wives should love their husbands also in the way it says in verse 25 that "Husbands, love you wives"
I've been enjoying Ephesians, each chapter having a different take to it. I'm not sure how to sum up the two chapters I have done today; but I do know that each and every day, we must live our lives to the highest standard in regards to our God.
Amen!
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Ephesians Chapter 3
Good evening!
Today, I went to Lauriston Castle with a friend. We've been reading through Ephesians and are now on Chapter 3.
So far, Paul has been writing to the Ephesians in Ephesus, Firstly saying how much he is thinking of them and praying for them and their journey in Christ, and also reminding them of how great our God is, what he can do for us and basically highlighting to all ages, past and present how being a Christian has been made possible through Jesus and God's forgiveness of our sins.
Chapter 3 was continuing in this light; thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, we can have a relationship with God and, what I got from it was that at the time, the barrier between the Gentiles and Jews had been overcome through Jesus.
This part made me think, but it rather confused me.
There was a great Prayer that Paul wrote that I'd like to include in this blog;
Ephesians 3: 14 - 20
"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen
Catcha
Today, I went to Lauriston Castle with a friend. We've been reading through Ephesians and are now on Chapter 3.
So far, Paul has been writing to the Ephesians in Ephesus, Firstly saying how much he is thinking of them and praying for them and their journey in Christ, and also reminding them of how great our God is, what he can do for us and basically highlighting to all ages, past and present how being a Christian has been made possible through Jesus and God's forgiveness of our sins.
Chapter 3 was continuing in this light; thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, we can have a relationship with God and, what I got from it was that at the time, the barrier between the Gentiles and Jews had been overcome through Jesus.
This part made me think, but it rather confused me.
There was a great Prayer that Paul wrote that I'd like to include in this blog;
Ephesians 3: 14 - 20
"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen
Catcha
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Ephesians Chapter 1
Tonight on MSN I worked through Chapter 1 of Ephesians with a friend.
Like I said in my last post; It's been a while since I've spent any real quality time with God, done my bible studies or even prayed. I made a pact with myself, not so much with God that I'd start doing a quiet time more regularly, and so I jumped at the chance to do this bible reading with a friend over MSN (I said at 9 after River City had finished - but that too is a lesson I've learned; God comes first in all situations.)
I don't think I'd ever read Ephesians before and this was evident after reading through chapter 1 and being ever so slightly...confused. I went back to the beginning acknowledging that I was going to spend this time with God and not cut corners. As a budding historian I find reading about biblical history really interesting and after finding out that Paul wrote this letter to the growing christian faith in Ephesus after 3 or so years of evangelism in the area in 60. A.D and that Ephesus then, is now Turkey; I felt I was beginning to understand the passage already!
Pauls letter to the Ephesians, particularly in Chapter 1 wasn't a letter of; this is what you should do, you're not doing this right etc, except, in my opinion it was a letter to highlight God's goodness and just how amazing he is and what he has done for us.
I know for me, this was a great refreshment to read and to understand; It made me feel that little bit more connected to God. I've not finished going through the verses I like but here are some just at the start of the chapter that I particularly enjoyed.
1:3 "Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms"
1:4 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world"
1:7 "In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in the accordance with the riches of God's grade 8 that lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding"
Just to be reminded of God's goodness and how much I need him in my life was a great way back into those special moments with God. I opened my sharing folder in intention to listen to one of the new Third days songs. I've been listening to Revelation for quite some time now as I particularly liked the tune, and subconsciously realised that I'd actually never really listened to the words before. The song stared and I listened to the words. The words were so finely tuned to how I have been feeling and just how far away from God i'd been feeling; and the endless road of sin and betrayal and farness. I don't know much about these spiritual moments but I reckon that I was meant to hear that song, and I reckon I was meant to tell my friend about it as it really spoke to her as well.
I'm not one for cheesyness at all but I feel really different about these whole quiet times with God and praying in particular.
I ended my quiet time with a prayer and I simply asked God to bring my back close to him and that I would have a faith again.
I really want to be close to my God and feel him working in my life, I don't want to pray and feel like I'm praying to walls because I'm not really commited. I want to believe in the impossible!
"I got nothing without you Lord"
P.s I don't care if this is CRINGEEEE!!
Andrew!
Like I said in my last post; It's been a while since I've spent any real quality time with God, done my bible studies or even prayed. I made a pact with myself, not so much with God that I'd start doing a quiet time more regularly, and so I jumped at the chance to do this bible reading with a friend over MSN (I said at 9 after River City had finished - but that too is a lesson I've learned; God comes first in all situations.)
I don't think I'd ever read Ephesians before and this was evident after reading through chapter 1 and being ever so slightly...confused. I went back to the beginning acknowledging that I was going to spend this time with God and not cut corners. As a budding historian I find reading about biblical history really interesting and after finding out that Paul wrote this letter to the growing christian faith in Ephesus after 3 or so years of evangelism in the area in 60. A.D and that Ephesus then, is now Turkey; I felt I was beginning to understand the passage already!
Pauls letter to the Ephesians, particularly in Chapter 1 wasn't a letter of; this is what you should do, you're not doing this right etc, except, in my opinion it was a letter to highlight God's goodness and just how amazing he is and what he has done for us.
I know for me, this was a great refreshment to read and to understand; It made me feel that little bit more connected to God. I've not finished going through the verses I like but here are some just at the start of the chapter that I particularly enjoyed.
1:3 "Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms"
1:4 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world"
1:7 "In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in the accordance with the riches of God's grade 8 that lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding"
Just to be reminded of God's goodness and how much I need him in my life was a great way back into those special moments with God. I opened my sharing folder in intention to listen to one of the new Third days songs. I've been listening to Revelation for quite some time now as I particularly liked the tune, and subconsciously realised that I'd actually never really listened to the words before. The song stared and I listened to the words. The words were so finely tuned to how I have been feeling and just how far away from God i'd been feeling; and the endless road of sin and betrayal and farness. I don't know much about these spiritual moments but I reckon that I was meant to hear that song, and I reckon I was meant to tell my friend about it as it really spoke to her as well.
I'm not one for cheesyness at all but I feel really different about these whole quiet times with God and praying in particular.
I ended my quiet time with a prayer and I simply asked God to bring my back close to him and that I would have a faith again.
I really want to be close to my God and feel him working in my life, I don't want to pray and feel like I'm praying to walls because I'm not really commited. I want to believe in the impossible!
"I got nothing without you Lord"
P.s I don't care if this is CRINGEEEE!!
Andrew!
A NEW start anyone?
Ever just wanted to drop everything and start a new? I know I have!
Today I went out with my good friend Kelly to our Church's internet Cafe then we went up town to Wesley Owen (The Christian bookshop).
Kelly was wanting an adult study bible and I was just chumming her. I'd never really questioned my bible situation as It's been ages since I've done any quiet time, bible study, read my bible - Or even prayed! There's nothing like being in a Christian book and music shop. Whenever I step into Wesley Owen I always feel really inspired and motivated to do something about my situation with God; but then walk back out the door and forget all about it.....not really the right attitude.
I decided, after my own selling of the bible to Kelly, to purchase the NIV study bible so that I could walk away with something and, at the start; make myself read it - hoping that it'll turn into something new.
Just like everyone, I sin; but recently It's becoming more and more apparant in my life and the half hearted prayers aren't really doing anything anymore and so I felt that even the most smallest of situations can be of significance; such as my trip to Wesley Owen and purchasing a new bible. I've decided to start doing a more frequent quiet time, reading my bible and praying far more. It's always difficult to do when you can't really be bothered and feel really far away from God, but I always remember hearing; - that when I feel like this, I've to make myself do a quiet time.
I hope to use this blog as a New start; to give my all into being that bit closer to God; taking it step by step, as what can be more important in my life than a relationship with God?
It's so hard for me to get caught up in day to day things like doing the magazine, stressing about different things and generally just not wanting to spend time with God - but as the Third Day song 'take it all' says "Take it all, cause I can't take it any longer, With all of I have, I can't make it on my own; take the first, take the last, take the good and take the rest. Here I am, all I have, take it all."
I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of living a half hearted life and not doing anything of real meaning, and the things I do do that are of meaning, I don't put my all into them - like our Church magazine Re:fresh.
"Take the first, take the last, take the good and take the rest, take it all (8)"
A new start anyone? ;)
Today I went out with my good friend Kelly to our Church's internet Cafe then we went up town to Wesley Owen (The Christian bookshop).
Kelly was wanting an adult study bible and I was just chumming her. I'd never really questioned my bible situation as It's been ages since I've done any quiet time, bible study, read my bible - Or even prayed! There's nothing like being in a Christian book and music shop. Whenever I step into Wesley Owen I always feel really inspired and motivated to do something about my situation with God; but then walk back out the door and forget all about it.....not really the right attitude.
I decided, after my own selling of the bible to Kelly, to purchase the NIV study bible so that I could walk away with something and, at the start; make myself read it - hoping that it'll turn into something new.
Just like everyone, I sin; but recently It's becoming more and more apparant in my life and the half hearted prayers aren't really doing anything anymore and so I felt that even the most smallest of situations can be of significance; such as my trip to Wesley Owen and purchasing a new bible. I've decided to start doing a more frequent quiet time, reading my bible and praying far more. It's always difficult to do when you can't really be bothered and feel really far away from God, but I always remember hearing; - that when I feel like this, I've to make myself do a quiet time.
I hope to use this blog as a New start; to give my all into being that bit closer to God; taking it step by step, as what can be more important in my life than a relationship with God?
It's so hard for me to get caught up in day to day things like doing the magazine, stressing about different things and generally just not wanting to spend time with God - but as the Third Day song 'take it all' says "Take it all, cause I can't take it any longer, With all of I have, I can't make it on my own; take the first, take the last, take the good and take the rest. Here I am, all I have, take it all."
I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of living a half hearted life and not doing anything of real meaning, and the things I do do that are of meaning, I don't put my all into them - like our Church magazine Re:fresh.
"Take the first, take the last, take the good and take the rest, take it all (8)"
A new start anyone? ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
