July Thoughts
Ephesians 2:8-9: I have been studying the book of Ephesians lately. This morning we looked at the subject of "grace". Since I spend my time studying the "Kay Arthur" method, we had to look at all the references of grace, underline them and then make a list of what we learn. This caused me once again to reflect upon the text of Eph. 2:8-9. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." This verse is so clear that there is nothing we can DO to be saved and I must add STAY saved. I have so many friends and acquaintances that are spending their time "earning" the salvation that God freely gave. That is why it is called a gift! When was the last time you "worked" for a gift? There is a reason given in these versus why we can't "work" for our salvation. "lest anyone should boast". God does not want us to get there and be able to list all the things WE did to make it so. No. He wants us to be there because it is all about what HE did. Not only do we not get saved by anything WE can do, we can't stay saved by anything we can do either!
Verses for reflection:
Romans 10:3-4 "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes"
Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,......"
I find a funny thing happens to me when I get into "working" or I like to refer to it as "law" keeping. What happens? I get FRUSTRATED! I am so thankful that I do, because when I take a moment to step back and see why I am "frustrated", once again I find that I am "trying" to live up to someone else's expectations, "doing" what I think someone else wants me to do, "doing" what others will think is right, etc. I have to put my foot firmly down and say "NO" and then stop it! That is not what this life is about. I long for the day, when I more frequently walk in "rest" than not. As I continue to seek truth and walk in it, I am one step closer! Praise the Lord for frustration!
Grace: There are two aspects of this in scripture. Undeserved, unmerited favor is one, the other is power. I am on a quest for treasure! I find myself anew wanting to know more what the scriptures say about this fascinating word.
On another note: I am often reminded that I spend too much time thinking about my circumstances! One of the things I have started doing lately to help me stop this was pick up a favorite book of mine. A very good friend (Thanks, Elaine!) gave me this book a few years back. It's called "31 Days of Praise" by Ruth Myers. If you don't have this book, I would order it today. It will really make a difference in your life! I am making it a new habit to read the praise for the day before my feet hit the floor in the morning. (I keep it right by my bed!) Well, in a very timely manner, I ran across "Thank You for Your ultimate good purposes in allowing the weaknesses or failues of others......" Whoa, wait a minute. That didn't say what I thought it did....did it? Yes, I had to take a double take. I was just reading along quickly as usual. I stopped dead in my tracks and read that again. "Thank you for Your ultimate good purposes in allowing the weaknesses or failures of _____" I kid you not, I actually said outloud "You mean I am to thank You for that weakness/failure in ____________(you fill in the blank!) As I reflected on this more, I was reminded in my spirit, that Yes, this is true. God can and does allow weaknesses/failures in those around me. What for? Why to mold ME and make ME more into the image of Jesus Christ! Whew....isn't there an easier way?? Get this...the next thing I read said "I especially want to thank You for what You plan to do through those things that disappoint me, upset me, make me anxious or break my heart.....
Ooh, sometimes it is through gritted teeth that I have to say "Thank you God for the circumstances etc. that you have allowed into my life! Because I know they are for my good. In other words, I'm learning to thank Him because it is true, not because I FEEL like it. Whew! That is a tough one!
Some things I ran across lately that are worth sharing-
Sign: God is not who we think He is, He is who He says He is!
Quote: "You cannot neglect the Word of God and have spiritual
discernment".
Recently, I got an email from my favorite people at Lifetime Guarantee: I recommend reading their latest devotion on knowing God's will. You can read this at http://www.lifetime.org/email/newsletters/egrace2006-06-28.php
Enjoy your week!
--------
