Ephesians 4:7-16

Do not live like non-christians - futile thinking.  

Left to myself, my thoughts naturally go to the futile thoughts.  Worry about the future, focus on myself and my needs, etc.  This leads me to anxiety and depression - as Paul puts it - darkened in understanding, separated from God, hard heartedness, given over to selftish desires.

I have to choose, every day to :

Put Off this old self which is corrupted by selfish desires

and

Put On the new self which is like God, righteous and Holy

I love the teaching of Paul on how to use our words : use them only to build others up.  

Before speaking test yourself :

Is it true?

Is it kind (in love)?

Is it beneficial?

Ephesians 4:1-6

Carol, I agree.  "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received" is SO convicting.

Paul tells us how.

Be completely :
    HUMBLE
    GENTLE
    PATIENT
    BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE
    KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE

He tell us the 7 things that unite us:

ONE :
    BODY
    SPIRIT
    HOPE
    LORD
    FAITH
    BAPTISM
    GOD, AND FATHER OF ALL

I meditated on these things this week.

Focus on what unites us with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There will be differences: personalities, opinions, preferences, responses, ways of dealing with situations etc etc.  When faced with the irritation, annoyance or even frustration or anger that arises because of these differences, remember ... be humble, gentle, patient, bear with each other in love.

Then we will keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

I think I managed to be somewhat humble, gentle, patient, bearing with people.  But definitely not completely.  Thank you Lord for YOUR humility, gentleness, patience and for bearing with me in love.

HE enables us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received by giving us endless grace and the perfect example to follow.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Another amazing prayer of Paul's to study this week :)

This week was horrible, it was filled with doubts, disappointments and depression.  It was also extremely gloomy weather and I was sick so that did not help :(

I was thankful to have this passage to study.  I prayed this prayer for myself mostly : I want to be strengthened with His power to be rooted and established in His love so that weeks like this don't matter.  If I am fulled to the measure of all the fullness of God then there is no room for all those "d" words.   Praying this passage lifted me up multiple times.

And the last part of the prayer was just what I needed to be reminded of for some of the situations and people that I am praying for : He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to HIS power that is at work in us.

I was reminded of this quote - I think it was Mother Theresa
Look around you, be stressed
Look inside you, be depressed
Look to Jesus, be at rest

To HIM be the glory.