Category: Encouragement

Forever Perfected

On By TimIn Encouragement, Jeremiah 02, SalvationLeave a comment

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the Lord: I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel is holy to the Lord,
and the first fruits of His harvest.
All who eat of it will become guilty;
disaster will come upon them,
says the Lord.

Jeremiah 2:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Just a late night thought…

This was part of my reading tonight. I find it fascinating. There’s a bit of a deeper idea there. Can you find it?

Here is what I saw.

Jeremiah tells us that God remembers the kindness of the youth of a relationship. It is spoken of with tenderness. It happened after the Exodus and before taking the land.

We all know that story. We, like Israel, take that first step of faith and follow God out of bondage. He miraculously draws us out of our old life into His new.

Like Israel, our faith struggles. Yet, still God understands. He acknowledged the espousals. Those are the words of agreeing to the Covenant and following with building and furnishing the tent of assembly. We know the nation did not want to hear from God, and chose to hear from a mediator Moses. They also made a golden image and worshipped it.

God sweetly remembers this time. In spite of it being real messy. We ought to do likewise.

For the law is a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of those things. It could never by the same sacrifices, which they offer continually year after year, perfect those who draw near.

Hebrews 10:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The writer of Hebrews is making the case that Jesus is better than everything else. In this text he is speaking of the remedies for willful sin available under that covenant law of old. The reading is quick, I will summarize some.

There were remedies in the law, but had to be done routinely. The writer makes the point that Jesus died once. As he continues, we see clearly that the hound of heaven, that conviction of sin can still come to any believer.

The one offering that Jesus made forever perfected those who are sanctified.

We can trust our God, that sanctified believers are forever perfected. If we mess up, we can still trust Him.

Just as the Israelites were sanctified (set apart) by passing through blood on the sill and doorposts, we are sanctified through the blood of Christ. It is the day of salvation from the world. It was Israel giving the pattern at The Exodus, leaving the world… To plea the blood. It is the same thing for a believer today. It is the faith that did it, the love of your espousal, as God says. Those sanctified… They are forever perfected.

The writer also conveys the extending of God’s covenant to the believer is simply to not remember their sins at all. He says we have a bold confidence to enter the presence of God. It’s a new and living way, meaning we can confess sin at any time. Draw near to God in faith. Hold firmly to that profession of faith. Encourage other saints and meet with them.

Yeah, that sin still sucks, though. It sucks away life!

Remember the former days, after you were enlightened, in which you endured a great struggle of afflictions. In part you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions. And in part you became companions of those who were so abused. For you had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully endured the confiscation of your property, knowing that you have in heaven a better and an enduring possession for yourselves. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which will be greatly rewarded.

Hebrews 10:32–35 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is telling us to remember the things He remembers. Just as He reminisces over the early days. We ought direct our thoughts there and remember the early days of our own salvation. Compare those things, prayerfully.

Also know, a believer will wander through a wilderness of sin… Some for 40 days, some for 40 weeks. But like Israel, it takes some saints 40 or more years of wandering until they finally come to the land of promise.

No, this isn’t about losing salvation at all. It is an encouragement to stay committed even when the going gets tough. You can start over right now. And enter the land of promise… Peace with a place to serve Jesus.

Making Faith my Own

On By TimIn 2 Peter 01, Encouragement2 Comments

Begging for a bit of indulgence to deviate slightly in order to demonstrate a life lesson.

I met a young woman named Dinah this weekend. She was with an older friend and coworker named Byron. I had the opportunity to hear both of their testimonies before they were baptized.

Dinah spoke of a sort of coming of age in her own walk with Jesus. She had grown up in a Christian home with Christian parents. She went to church. She prayed. She read her Bible. She had even been baptized before.

But when she went to college, she realized something was missing. She was not going to church. She was not with her parents. Her faith was not her own, but it was her parents. She had gone to church, prayed and was even baptized because that was what was expected of her to do.

She endeavored to make her faith her own.

As questions were posed to her, the answers seemed to be good but there was a subtle vagueness to them. She never had a testimony of responding to an invitation, nor really saying a sinner’s prayer. She did have a testimony of asking God to be real to her and work in her.

When the attention turned to her friend Byron, things become crystal clear. By looks alone, this man seemed to be old enough to be Dinah’s father. He was a coworker.

Byron, knowing Dinah was a Christian asked her to pray for him as he was going through a dramatic and emotional upheaval of his life. She said I can pray for you and sensed he need more than prayer. She told him she would pray for him but said it would be better for him to come to come sit next to her in church.

Byron soon became a Christian. He knows the day he was saved, and two months later was standing in front us ready to be baptized.

As I was listening to all of this, I could not help but to think of Peter’s second epistle. In that writing Peter speaks of distinct groups of people by seemingly similar phrases. The first group are those saved, the ones who escape the corruption of the world and partake of the divine nature. Dinah’s testimony comes in Peter’s words.

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and excellence, by which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that through these things you might become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:3–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are real Christians. They can be babes in the faith or seasoned saints. Nevertheless, these live as a partakers of the divine nature. The divine nature is permanent, and such speaks to the permanence of salvation as a part of the divine nature.

Look at how Peter’s further encouragement to these saints helps us to see the shining Light of Dinah’s testimony.

For this reason make every effort to add virtue to your faith; and to your virtue, knowledge; and to your knowledge, self-control; and to your self-control, patient endurance; and to your patient endurance, godliness; and to your godliness, brotherly kindness; and to your brotherly kindness, love. For if these things reside in you and abound, they ensure that you will neither be useless nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But the one who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted because he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

2 Peter 1:5–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Dinah did know all of the Christianeze. Yet she also knew something was missing. She also knew she had sinned and fallen short of the perfection God demands. She went to Jesus as He is the only way to escape the certainty of that corruption that comes from those defilements.

In her own youth, it seems she forgot to make her faith her own. She didn’t add virtue to her faith. She didn’t add knowledge to that virtue. There is a chain of things we must add to our faith, which brings us to godliness, brotherly kindness, and love for others.

Dinah had the protection of family and church. It was when she left she realized she missed the fellowship of the Spirit of God, though she never voiced it that way. The reality was clear.

It’s easy to relish in that when we go to church and have a Christian family. The presence of the Holy Spirit is always there. When we become separate from others who have the indwelling Spirit that comes by that faith… If we’ve not matured we sense the emptiness. Sometimes that emptiness comes from not really being a saint. I trust that isn’t the case with anyone reading this, but if it is… It’s quickly rectified by asking Jesus to save you right now. That’s the best way to start.

This neglect of our faith leads to a bit of shortsightedness. It will eventually place the memories of salvation into the far recesses of the mind, only to be forgotten.

Nevertheless, Dinah worked out her own faith. She cried out to Jesus to be real to her. Instead of being useless and unfruitful to God, she had the opportunity to ensure another man was led to Jesus. She was the willing tool God used to bring a radical change in Byron’s life.

Byron’s presence and testimony proved that Dinah was indeed saved and useful to God. She is bearing fruit in her walk with Jesus.

It was an awesome thing to see both of them baptized that morning. There is such a satisfying sweetness in the juxtaposition of a young lady leading an older man to Jesus.

There is that second group of folks Peter also describes.

Although they promise them freedom, they themselves are slaves of corruption, for by that which a man is overcome, to this he is enslaved. For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turn back from the holy commandment that was delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and “the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mud.”

2 Peter 2:19–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here Peter is talking specifically about the false teacher. He doesn’t have kind words. What is clear from Peter’s writing is that these false teachers have some knowledge of Jesus and the way of righteousness. But they reject it. They turn their back on the Holy command, you must be born again.

These are ones that have a familiarity with the Holy Spirit because they may have grown up in a Christian home or they have even attended church for some time. They’ve read their Bible, sang worship songs and may have even been baptized. In that sense, they escape the defilements… The sins and decadence of the world for a season. They enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit not inside of them, but around them. When they leave those environs these become entangled again in the mess they left. The end is worse for them.

It’s not that they are doomed, but much more unlikely to come to their senses and be born again.

As I am reading this portion of text this morning and thinking of yesterday, I rejoice in Dinah’s repentance. Yes, there was real evidence, not so much as on a certain day she said a certain prayer or responded to a preacher’s pleading. She reached out to God for herself by herself because she knew something was missing and He is the only remedy. He answered her!

For those of you reading this far, if you are a Christian and have neglected your faith, start feeding it. Pray to God, ask for help, and read your Bible. That’s adding virtue. Continued reading and prayer adds knowledge. These things make your faith stronger and a continued exercise of that faith muscle makes a mature believer. One unmovable in faith who truly loves and serves others.

But what if you read this and have gone to church or had Christian parents, but cannot seem to escape the siren call of the decadence of the world that entangles you?

I have one answer. Come to your senses. Stop indulging your flesh, and hang out in that community where the Holy Spirit works. Repent… That means change your mind. Acknowledge that Jesus is right. Believe He is God, that He died to atone for all sins, the sins of the whole world. And confess that aloud to Him.

You can renounce your old way of life. You can take back control of your own life. You can ask Jesus to save you. You can escape the corruption of th world and that comes by lust. But you need Jesus inside of you first. That’s the hint command, you must be born again.

If there is one thing that I am sure of, Jesus can change your life.

If you’re not sure about anything here, and need help… You can send a message via the contact section. Find a Christian friend to listen.

Note: The testimonies are accurate though the names have been changed.

Surely Goodness and Mercy

On By TimIn Encouragement, Eternal Security, Good, Peace, Psalm 023Leave a comment

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s a beloved passage. Many have it memorized as it brings comfort in stressful times.

Have you actually pondered the ideas in the last verse?

There is a hymn we sing called “Surely Goodness and Mercy.” It is this last line of this Psalm. The religion of the verse drives an important point.

Goodness and mercy shall follow me.

We get that language from the King James Version. The word shall hints at a deeper meaning of the Hebrew word it is translated from to form the verb shall follow. The Hebrew root is radaph. It is translated correctly.

But let us look in another version of the Bible that may add some higher definition.

Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will stay in the house of Yahweh
for a very long time.

Psalm 23:6 — The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

Yes, the word can be translated as pursue, here. Other meanings include chase and persecute.

This goodness and mercy of God doesn’t ever give up. It is always there, chasing and persecuting us… Forever.

Hang Up on the Hangups

On By TimIn Encouragement, Ephesians 04, Exhortation, Freedom, Justification, SinLeave a comment

Do not give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul is speaking of giving the enemy rights. He has no way to bother you unless you give him permission and grant him the right.

What do I mean by right?

This could trigger some uncomfortable feelings.

Think about something that happened to you when you were young, something you remember clearly. Do you instantly become overwhelmed by the feelings of that situation?

It could be good, but might most likely not be. In that case, the feelings of fear and anxiety come… Especially with traumatic events. The feelings can be crippling.

Sometimes those feelings come because of something we’ve done and now regret. A feeling of guilt can obliterate a person.

These crippling feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, despair, and/or others can create a cascading physiological response with an adrenaline surge. Which may lead to something that grieves the Holy Spirit.

These things the enemy uses as a foothold. It’s a place to gain access. And if we are not aware of that fact we can be blindsided. I know. It happens to me.

None of us are made to fear. We are not made to have guilt. Paul gives ample remedy for how to avoid giving rights away.

But what of those things in the past?

Knowledge is a firmer foundation than emotion.

You can renounce them. You can renounce how they make you feel. You can renounce the control they have over your emotions. Do it out loud, to God. For whatever it is that overwhelms you, whether you are the victim or not. Allow God to take the feelings, the anxiety, and the fear away. Read the rest of the text beginning at Ephesians 4:1 into Chapters 5&6. Learn how to put on the new nature and live in victory.

You can do it, by taking the first step.

Don’t be sidelined. Don’t be a spectator. Stand firm!

Lukewarm Christian?

On By TimIn Encouragement, Revelation 03Leave a comment

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.

Revelation 3:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus is speaking to the church at Laodicea. His indictment of their works as a body is lukewarm. And if that is continued, the church would wither away.

This is not an indictment or a judgment on any Christian. It doesn’t mean that any of those Christians in the church lost their salvation. In fact, it has nothing to do with salvation. Nor does it have anything to do with individual behavior, even though the church as a body is made up of individuals.

It is a judgment on a church body.

A Christian doesn’t lose his salvation, neither do his works have anything to do with his salvation, whether helping it or not. In fact, good behavior isn’t fruit-bearing that Jesus looks for in a person. It can lead to it, and make it more bountiful, but bearing fruit is not the same as obeying the law.

Thump’m with Bible?

On By TimIn Encouragement, Eternal Security, Matthew 07Leave a comment

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonderful works in Your name?’ But then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice evil.’

Matthew 7:21–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This passage is often cited. It is often used to scare folks, or as I like to put it, ‘thump’m with Bible.’ Most often, this is used in conjunction with those who claim some obedience, endurance, or perseverance to keep salvation.

Some even use this to point out that people that are truly saved can lose their salvation. It’s an often-used text to prove that. However, that simply cannot be true. Jesus clearly states, “I never knew you.” That statement excludes Him knowing someone as saved and them walking away from it. It cannot happen.

If you don’t understand… A saved person cannot lose salvation. It is testified to right there.

There is another sobering truth presented here. This passage is clearly about people that never came to Jesus in faith, but they do come to Him to show their works. These folks cling to their shiny trinkets, the prophesying, casting out demons, and the good things they did. It’s as if they are trying to trade or buy their way into the kingdom.

Jesus says that doesn’t work, “I never knew you.”

But… Do you understand what else is in that “good works?”

Depending upon your obedience to get to heaven is a good work. As is enduring and persevering in the midst of trials and persecution. Even depending on these things to keep being saved sets aside the work of Jesus.

What counts is the personal relationship with Jesus. He needs to know you. And you need to know Him.

As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

John 17:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is no other Way to heaven, but by resting in Him. It’s not working. It’s not doing good things. It’s not persevering.

You need to know Jesus so He knows you.

Your Song is More Beautiful

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Encouragement, Exhortation, Job 35, WorshipLeave a comment

But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’

Job 35:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Have you considered that God has taught you more than He has any other beast on Earth?

Seriously consider how beautiful the song of a bird is. God has taught you more than that bird. The songs you make are going to be better. It doesn’t matter if they are sung in the night or day, in gladness or despair. Even if out-of-tune, that song is going to be far more precious than the song of any bird.

None of us ever have to wonder where God is.

Being Ready for Spiritual Warfare

On By TimIn Armor of God, Children, Daily Walk, Employees, Employers, Encouragement, Ephesians 06, Exhortation, Fruitfulness, Gifts, Husbands, Justification, Relationships, Spiritual Warfare, WivesLeave a comment

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In my reading, it occurred to me that what we consider to be the epitome of preparation for spiritual warfare as being Paul’s description of the armor we must wear. These are his final thoughts on the subject. In order to understand the necessary function of the armor and to be able to trust it doesn’t work without all of the other preceding things that are the foundation for it. We must roll back a few chapters to understand.

Corporate Life at Church

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called. With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul says lots about corporate fellowship. It’s the start, to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. We are to do it in patience, meekness, and humility. We are to bear one another in love. Paul is not saying we bear the heathen in love, but one another. And with it, we ought to be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit.

I cannot help to think how easy it is for us to break fellowship for the slightest things. People will leave churches because the church ain’t going their way. Someone will be asked to leave a church because he doesn’t toe the line. We don’t bear well with each other as corporate bodies. I’d dare say that in our churches we are sorely fit to do any sort of spiritual warfare.

There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were 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 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The essentials are in Spirit. We divide in the flesh. We just keep these things in mind.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also He who ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things.)

Ephesians 4:7–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is more here than I am going to speak about, but I will leave that for you to search on your own. What we have spiritually is from Jesus Himself. He gave the gifts to each of us in the exact measurements we needed to fulfill our purpose in the body.

All of us are needed in fellowship. Our local bodies are ill-equipped if we remove ourselves from fellowship, or even kick someone out. Each of us is essential.

He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so we may no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:11–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What gifts we each possess are for the equipping of the saints. Often these giftings are used for self-edification and aggrandizement. They are given to us for others, to equip them. It’s the work of Jesus to which we are called. I can assure you that you know someone who has attached one or more of these titles to the beginning of their name. That doesn’t edify others in the least.

We are to help each other become complete. We are to desire to grow. This is a message and critical foundation for spiritual warfare. If each of us is not now rightly in a fellowship of believers who trust us and whom we can trust, we aren’t prepared for any kind of warfare.

But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself, from whom the whole body is joined together and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively does its work and grows, building itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We need that trust because sometimes there is going to be something we’re not going to want to hear. It’ll be hard to stomach if we don’t trust that the person who speaks it has our best interests before his. It’s necessary. As the whole body must be joined together to effectively work and grow. None of us can do it alone.

Therefore this I say and testify in the Lord, that from now on you walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds, having their understanding darkened, excluded from the life of God through the ignorance that is within them, due to the hardness of their hearts. Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

Ephesians 4:17–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The unsaved operate in self-imposed ignorance. They refuse to believe. They scoff. It hardens them. Just like a callous on the hand, it becomes a place where there is no feeling. It cannot feel the comfort of warm soap and water. It cannot feel the sharp edge of a razor blade. The unbeliever is in the same predicament unable to feel the things that are good, and the things that may be dangerously deadly. The more a callous is rubbed, the larger and harder it grows.

That’s the sensuality that Paul is speaking about. It takes more of the same old thing just to feel it, yet it makes the hardness even harder. That’s the sensuality of sin.

But you did not learn about Christ in this manner, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:20–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s a new way of life we must put on. Jesus teaches us we don’t have to keep doing the same old chase that never satisfies.

Look at the contrast, without Jesus, it’s seeking sensations, what pleases us personally. That’s the essence of lust. That’s why the Bible uses the term. It’s not just sexual. It is a seeking to satisfy our own desires.

We are to live differently, to renew our minds.

Therefore, putting away lying, let every man speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Do not give place to the devil. Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.

Ephesians 4:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are to operate truthfully. It means to stop taking from others. Instead, be prepared and ready to give something.

Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to the listeners. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:29–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Watch what we say. Make sure that it benefits others. Our eternity is secure. There is nothing anyone can do to steal that from any of us… Not even our own actions. None of us have to operate in our former ways.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Let all the bad stuff be removed. This is telling us that we ought to be willing to give these to God.

Bitterness gets a place when we don’t forgive. Bitterness always gives rise to the enemy. Don’t even give it a place.

Personal Life Everywhere

Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks. For this you know, that no sexually immoral or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Ephesians 5:1–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We have our example. Imitate God as the children of Him we are. Walk in love Paul says. Sometimes we overlook the idea of love in mind. It’s sacrificial. It gives of itself even unto death.

Don’t practice sexual immorality or other impurities.

Don’t be greedy. That’s a hard one. Each of us wants to be first in line. Few of us want to wait until last.

Watch the language we use. Change the way we talk to be thankful, first to God from Whom good things come, but for others around us.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Be careful who we listen to and associate with. It’s not that we shouldn’t hang around with them, but we are not to participate in the inane things other unbelievers do.

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth—proving what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things are exposed when they are revealed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Ephesians 5:8–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We all have our previous lives. We all walked in darkness. Now instead of just walking in darkness, we are light. That is light in the Lord. It’s a new identity. Walk in it, proving it.

We ought not to do those things we used to do. Instead, we expose them. Things that are exposed lose their power and control. Secrets are by nature things not out in the light.

See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Time is short. Don’t waste it on things that have no eternal benefit. We live in evil times. It’s been like that since Adam was expelled out of the Eden of God.

Do not be drunk with wine, for that is reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Don’t substitute the world’s spirits for the Holy Spirit. Be sober-minded.

Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, being submissive to one another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:19–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the things to center our minds on, renewing them. It’s a personal endeavor we must always be cognizant of pursuing. It’s a choice we make every moment of every day. It’s difficult to engage in any form of spiritual warfare if we’re not walking in the light we are.

Interactions with our Spouses

Wives, be submissive to your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head and Savior of the church, which is His body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is not a hierarchy thing or a master-slave relationship. But there is an established order of things. Husbands aren’t the master. Wives aren’t slaves.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. In this way men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord cares for the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Ephesians 5:25–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The admonition is to the husbands. It is necessarily so. The whole idea is to not drift off into some misogynist mindset where a man operates as king of his castle.

No. This is teaching us that the wife ought to be elevated to not just the same treatment as a husband would treat himself, but just a bit higher. The husband is to give himself just as Jesus did. It’s totally selfless.

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.”

Ephesians 5:31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is for both parties in a marriage. When two people get married, their family is the two in the marriage (and children.) It’s great to have moms and dads, brothers and sisters. But your spouse is your family first and foremost. It goes without saying that the word most needs emphasis.

If mom interferes with our spouse… Side with the spouse. He or she is family. That is what Paul is saying. This is the proper order.

It doesn’t mean we cannot do things with our parents and siblings, but to insist on having every Thanksgiving or other holiday celebrations with them and dragging our spouse along can lead to problems. Even trying to be fair is difficult. Establish your own family traditions. And do the extended family things once in while.

Leave mom and dad and cleave to our spouse. It is difficult to engage in spiritual warfare if we are married and do not cleave to our spouse. Two are one. We need them.

This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A good marriage becomes a great apologetic.

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:33 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A final admonition for a happy marriage. A husband that loves his bride sacrificially, with a bride who respects him.

Behaving as Children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is pretty much self-explanatory.

Proper Parenting

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is the job of the parents to pass on their faith.

Relating to Your Employer

Servants, obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, not serving when eyes are on you, but as pleasing men as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing any man does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is enslaved or free.

Ephesians 6:5–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As an employee, we are to work for our manager as one would work for Jesus. After all, He is Who we are working for ultimately.

Our work should be the same even when others aren’t watching. That means no running off into the bathroom to check our phone or goofing off in the back of the storeroom.

By doing that, not only do we receive a paycheck from the employer, our good deeds earn eternal rewards. The sincerity of our hearts may be the thing that makes an unbelieving employer become a believer.

Managers Relating to Employees

And masters, do the same things for them, no longer threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Ephesians 6:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Do the right thing for those who work for us. Pay them fairly. Treat them rightly, just as we expect to be treated by Jesus.

Finally Brethren

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We come to the text which opened the post. It’s long. But it is necessary.

Before we can even endeavor to don the armor of God, we need to shore up every single one of these areas of our lives. If they are not secure and rightly done, there is an opportunity for the enemy.

Don’t just concentrate on the armor, but concentrate on all of the preparation that comes before and is a foundation for it.

It’s Nailed to the Cross

On By TimIn Colossians 02, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Freedom, Resurrection, Salvation, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, The CrossLeave a comment

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Literally, it’s you being presently dead. The verb is present tense. As a believer, God made you alive. The tenses of the verbs say something probably not thought of.

Being dead is a continuous thing in this existence. our existence before salvation was pictured as being uncircumcised. That is, what makes the dead is not yet cut away. Uncircumcised flesh is where death reigns and a person dying in it goes to perdition because they are still in their sins. But the good thing is though the death of the flesh is a continuous thing it can be circumcised with the circumcision made with hands.

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The body of sins is put away by Jesus. It’s put away in death, His death. You are then made alive because He lives. The being made alive is once, you do not need to be continually made alive. He’s forgiven you all your sins.

There’s another kicker… For those who might wanna tell you that your salvation isn’t necessarily secure in what Jesus has already done and it depends on your endurance, it’s not there.

How much sin is forgiven, having forgiven you all sin?

He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances. Meaning it’s done. That means there is nothing against you from your past, your present, or even your future. It’s done.

He took it out of the way. Rest assured it’s gone.

Whatever the law had against you is to the cross. It’s a simple past action. It’s nailed to the cross. There are no future crosses our future sins need to be nailed to. There is no future death of Jesus needed.

Authorities and powers are disarmed. If satan is bothering you, why do you allow or permit it?

This passage clearly states that demons and devils have no power. The only real power they may have is the stuff you give them. That’s why the Bible tells you you are a slave to whom you present yourself. So don’t give them any power. And if you have, revoke it now in Jesus’ name.

Stop subjecting yourselves to the powerlessness of wondering if your salvation took… Or whether you can lose it. Live unabashedly for Him.

Go Your Way

On By TimIn Acts 09, Daily Walk, Encouragement, ExhortationLeave a comment

A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”
He said, “Here I am, Lord.”

Acts 9:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here I am.

There is no other way to answer the Lord when He calls, at least for those who love Him. Many of us wait for that call. Sometimes, it is subtle, other times not so much. For Ananias, it was the latter. He trusts his Lord and awaits his assignment.

Little did he know beforehand…

The Lord said to him, “Rise and go to Straight Street, and inquire at Judas’ house for someone named Saul of Tarsus, for he is praying, and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he may see again.”

Acts 9:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is asking him to go meet a man whom he has never met, yet knows of his zealous reputation. It’s not good for him and his friends. God has appointed Ananias. Shown Saul who to expect. He gives clear instruction on how to identify Saul and what to do then.

answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

Acts 9:13–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What does one do in this situation?

Being asked to put yourself in a serving dangerous situation.

God desires to restore a man and has chosen Saul for a particular way to serve Him. Ananias knows the man is bad news for those of the way, as they called Christianity then. That dangerous man Saul also has the authority to put believers in fetters. Yet God’s instructions are clear. Go your way.

He appointed Ananias as he did Saul. It’s just like God to care for Ananias as much as He does for Saul. God will gently encourage Ananias to go the way assigned to him so that Saul can take the path he’s assigned.

But the Lord said to him, “Go your way. For this man is a chosen vessel of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the sons of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Then Ananias went his way and entered the house. Putting his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized. When he had eaten, he was strengthened.

Acts 9:15–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Ananias’ trepidation disappeared at that. Look at how he greets Saul as brother Saul. He did as God asked him to do, and Saul’s sight returned.

It says he was strengthened. In the midst of his blindness, Saul was being shown what he must suffer for Jesus. He’s living through it all beforehand with Jesus as his only guide. It must have been daunting.

God made good on His first promises to Saul. He showed Saul all that his life would cost to do as God wanted. When his sight returned, he set to the task. He was baptized. He then ended his fast.

I can imagine that Saul was shown all that he must suffer beforehand so that in those moments, he would know that the suffering being experienced is really light and momentary. Jesus was with him beforehand to help Saul be prepared. He is also with him in the midst of the affliction.

Ananias seems to get an honorable mention here. Especially in light of the future deeds of Saul. Have you considered the integral part Ananias had in Saul’s ministry?

What Paul set to do being called by God, is shared by Ananias. Not for any glory other than that of Jesus. Ananias believed Jesus. He did as Jesus asked him to do. The Gospel has gone to the end of the earth because of it.

Sometimes our tasks from God seem daunting, or maybe even menial. We may want to shy away from them for those reasons. Be encouraged by the obedience of Ananias. He is part of the foundation of Paul’s ministry.

You might be stuck inside with limitations on mobility, but you can still have a great Kingdom impact. You can pray. You can encourage others. Did I mention you can pray?

Something as simple as standing in the gap for someone else can lead to an influence far greater than can be imagined. Pray for an evangelist, your neighbor, your family… Even a stranger you’ve never met. God can change the world because of your intercession, just as He did with Ananias’.