Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.5 Slaves, [bondservants] obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master [Lord] and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers [brothers and sisters], and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible!
Love Incorruptible.
Archangel Gabriel, who stands before God, went to two people. One wanted a sign, the other said if God wants to shake up my world - He is God and I will go with Him. The mystery of the Gospel is God is really looking at hearts open to Him. Proverbs tells us God and our heart know each other quite well. God is going with the Earnest Heart to Him.
Ephesians 6 - reminds us there is a spiritual battle. Larger than we are. In God's hands. Our part as children of God is to act with kindness, to be sincere, to work hard at the work God gives us and to pray. To stay in our faith, to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
For His Incorruptible Love toward us. Father God.
Incorruptible - once you have been privileged to put on the armor of God - you never have to remove this. Jesus is Lord is a dart prayer acknowledging we are protected in Jesus Christ. Calling His Name is a great and eternal call in Prayer. God says He is with us always.
Difficult days. Times change. Life becomes very push and shove instead of a smooth, straight path of the Lord. Ephesians 6 recognizes this. Earnestly put your foot forward to help. To acknowledge this Word of God our LORD is a reward.
As a younger person, I put time into memorizing (a rare event for me) the garments described in Ephesians 6. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is just a prayer breathe away. It is nice to memorize a Scripture, but it isn't knowing these phrases protecting us from the spiritual battle. Sometimes, when I am hard pressed, I say to myself, I can do all things through Jesus Christ. Knowing it is a prayer, but God is the Almighty. Jesus really cares more about the intent of the soul. God Himself to your utmost self, He created you in His Love and will continue to be the Light. God is Light. The battle is His.
Truth - Live in it
Righteousness - Walk the path of holiness God calls us to
Peace - Work towards it, read the mercy of God in the Scriptures
Faith - believing until you know God loves you and He is for you
Salvation - God didn't take the event lightly, neither should you. You were bought at a price.
The Sword of the Spirit - God's Word - if you don't know it, how will you stand in the faith God calls you toward. Hold on to God's Word.
(Read Scripture to understand God's intentions, His nature, but God answers and hears prayers by asking. Remember Jesus didn't quote Malachi 3:1, He said it, but He declared "it is written" to tell of John the Baptist. Jesus proclaimed God's intentions and Words. Yet, really we all learn in different manners and our brain classifies information differently and this is why we use images.)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might
A Texas Evangelist, Ron Luce, told of growing up in a very dysfunctional home, where his mother was verbally very abusive. He and his wife & children decided to just be glad to see her and invite her to their home. It wasn't one person taking it on, it was the family support of going two by two, of the 70 disciples Jesus sent out. Everyone just took some time to be kind. It changed their family. They told her they wanted to love her like God did. Glad to hear from her, to see her. Ignoring her abuse, but accepting her. When Ron Luce's mom accepted the Lord in her life, her life changed to become the loving woman they had put their love towards. That my friends, is an act of God. When Jesus gave ministry, He sent people out in two's. Because with God - we are a three corded chain - harder to break.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Jesus saw a new Heaven and a new earth. Jesus made Heaven about the Mercy of God in His overwhelming gift of His Love taking our sins and our diseases upon Him. Thank You, Jesus. For answered prayers, even in unseen answers.
Jesus boldly tells us to Love Him first. Look to Him. Then love ourselves. Love our neighbor. Especially the one who gives mercy! Jesus recommends us to remember the neighbor who gives mercy! Love has to be healthy. The beautiful and family friendly movie Cinderella came out. This is a God principle too. Fairy tales had a moral purpose - if she had known God called her to love herself as well as be His ambassador. God wants us to love. He does. In the path He gives us. Using the talents and gifts He provides. In ways that feed relationships to work to honor Him.
The Puritans were starving to death and they prayed for food. Lobster arrived covering the beach. They were told it was so ugly it had to be unanswered prayer. We have a pretty good idea in hindsight God provided richly. God asks us to have an attitude of expecting the Goodness of God for us.
God has mystery and He tells us to look for what is good.
Pray. God Listens and always has Great Mercy. Mercy is something He blesses.
Father God , please, may Your mercy continually guide us and
lift up our head to look to You as we do Your Will .
Father God, we ask you to bless us and keep us.
Father, let Your Face shine upon us and be gracious to us.
Father, Lift Your Countenance upon us and give us peace.
In the name of Jesus and for our people, we ask You to bless us.
Your Good and Gracious Will be done. Amen
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
<><
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment