Ephesians 2...

I am currently doing to study on the book of Ephesians that was put together by John Stott. In today's study I was taken to Ephesians 2:1-10.

Verses 1-3 of Ephesians 2 gives one a clear picture of what we were like before Christ.  We were:

• Dead in trespasses and sins
• Followed the course of this world
• Followed the prince of the power of the air
• The spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience
• Among who we all once lived in the passions of our flesh
• Carrying out the desires of the body and the mind
• Children of wrath like the rest of mankind

This is not a pretty picture.  It is actually very depressing.  There is no hope for anyone apart from Jesus Christ.  However, the passage does not end there.  AMEN!!!

Verses 4-10 of Ephesians 2 speaks for itself as does the rest of scripture.  Read the words of Paul as he tells us what God did to remedy this hopeless situation we found ourselves in.  ENJOY!!!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing:  IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.--Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV)

May we continually live in the light of verse 4-10.  May we never forget what we once were.  May we never forget what God has done.

Blessings!

5 Words on The Word...

I am beginning the process of preparing for two youth camps that I will be speaking at this summer.  When one is given the opportunity to speak, in my opinion, it is hard to narrow down what needs to be said.  

Today in my office I was thinking to myself, "What are some things that as a teen I wish I would have known that I know now?"  That is a very good question and I think that I have come up with at least one good answer.   

I wish I would have known how important the Word of God is.  

Someone probably told me, but I didn't listen.  

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) says this, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Let's break it down using a mathematical equation that I think makes sense.

THE WORD OF THE LORD 

= (IS)

#1--LIVING

#2--ACTIVE

#3--SHARP

(than any two-edged sword)

#4--PIERCING

(to the dividing of soul and of spirit)

(to the dividing of joints and of marrow)

#5--DISCERNING  

(the thoughts and intentions of the heart)

I think now we can see why the word of God is so important.  Look for this message to be spoken LOUDLY at a youth camp near you this summer.  Today's teens need to hear this and we need to tell them.  

Blessings!

Psalm 100...

On this Easter Sunday 2012, I have been reading and thinking about Psalm 100.  Here are my thoughts.

We are given 6 verbs/commands that we are to follow.
-We are to:

•  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
• Worship the Lord with gladness.
• Come before Him with joyful songs.
• Know that the Lord is God.
• HE who made us.
• We are HIS.
• We are HIS people.
• The sheep of HIS pasture.
• Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
• Give thanks to Him.
• Praise His name.

-Why should we do these things:

• For the Lord is good.
• His love endures forever.
• His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Hebrews 4:12--"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

I THANK GOD FOR HIS WORD THIS MORNING!!!

Blessings!--DA