Ephesians 4 ~ upbuilds itself in Love

Ephesians 4

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. 

And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

Ephesians 4
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

One God. One Word. All things are made through His Word. Hear Oh Israel - the Lord your God is One.

11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip
the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

Like John the Baptist to bear witness to the Light. That all might believe. The Light shines.


15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.

One Body?
We are diverse.

Work for Peace.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Peace has a - cost.
To achieve peace - you can just suck it up - but eventually - you have to exhale.

We have to have discernment. And let go of Judgment.
Christians tend to fall in to 'all is good and forgiven' with very little effort in putting forth a path.

Christians tend to go "all law happy."

Look at the beginning of Genesis One.

All of God's works and words He calls "Good." Oddly, dramatically - God does not praise His creation as He is separating heaven and earth. Another exception to the seeing His creation as "good"  - does Not happen at the creation of man and woman. God instead of saying this "is good" - gives this not just praise - instead calls a - Blessing.

What? Mankind not good?

God does not dabble with praise. He works Blessings.
He feels so strongly about mankind - He is going to give us 3,000 more pages of Words in His Story.

Offended? We sure become offended. I spent yesterday with some tears. God praises and praises and praises His creation - until He gets to MANKIND.


Look at Jesus and his cousin - John the Baptist.

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?" Tell John the blind -see, the deaf -hear and then goes on to say "The least of heaven is Greater than John." Sounds rather put-down-ish."

Jesus appears to be offended John the Baptist was questioning Him. Instead - Jesus goes into the wilderness and feeds thousands. A funeral dinner and goes into seclusion. His cousin has died.

Matthew 11
4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepersa are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

6       And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Understanding God?

John the Baptist was asked if he was Elijah. John the Baptist, of course, said, "No." Jesus takes His Disciples up onto the mountain where they are totally stunned. They see Moses and Elijah. Coming down the mountain - Jesus tells them "John the Baptist acted as Elijah."

Does God say we have to fully understand HIM?

Isaiah 46
“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
carried from the womb;
4even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.

5“To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
and compare me, that we may be alike?

8“Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9 remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
10declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.

12“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
you who are far from righteousness:
13I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory.”


Would God want to speak with us TODAY?

Psalm 39:3
My heart grew hot within me : and in my meditation a fire shall flame out. ...

What would call God to want to Speak - TODAY.

God is Light. God warms us. God wants Blessings for us.
God rejoices when Love is Promised. Given. Fulfilled!!!
Pray for one another! God honors and adores praying for each other!

Jesus speaks to us when we get in a muddle. I was in a muddle today.


Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 8:24
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.


God is Light.

Upbuild the Body in Love.
Prepare to be unoffended.
Let God have our paths and lean towards Him.
Sometimes it's even fun to see people not offend you. Try and see.

One of my Springer Spaniels worked for Justice constantly. There was a lot of growling. It was unpleasant. He did save my hide, my life, at least twice.

I remember my Springer puppy - loves kittens, old cats, dogs who bark - he frankly is puzzled with. And when he walks the paths of the old Springer, the new dogs - quit barking. They have to look at him. In silence, because Beauregard Whiskers, Beaux, wants to get along. Even little finches are allowed to sit in front of him to find bird feed. Most of the time. He is a toy hog with the Siberian Husky. None of us are perfect. Paths of peace go further. Understanding instead of nicey.

Abba, Father God,

In Your willing Blessings, we have been carried from before our birth, even to this age. God has borne us up. God has brought us this far - not to drop us on our heads. God Will carry and Save.

We are not God's equal, we look for His Blessings, Mercy and Love. 
Stand firm, remembering when we were forgiven.

Father God's will and counsel will stand. Alleluia. God's Word has been spoken, He will bring that to be past. What Father GOD has purposed, He Will Do. God alone is Good.

We ask for our friend to be healed from cancer.

Help us Father GOD to be leaning upon and trusting You. Let Your Righteousness and Goodness be near. Help us to live, move and have our dwelling in Your Wisdom and Mercy. 

We ask in the Highest Name You have Given -More Heaven on earth! 
For ourselves and our cares,
For our Loved ones,
For this Nation Trusting in You
For the Nations brought to Your Love
For the Children of God around the planet, asking with faith, ~ More Heaven on earth.

Amen for Your Will to be Accomplished. In Jesus Christ Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †