Perspective. Ephesians 6:10-18

Sometimes a small change in perspective goes a long way. This passage teaches us about perspective when it comes to how we view our enemy. It teaches that there is an evil world that is real and that is where our battle is.

There have been a number of times in my life where there's turmoil in a relationship and it's not until I'm well into getting steamed about it that I realize I'm under attack. Remember who your enemy is and stand firm in the Lord so that we won't be defeated. Press on!

Ephesians 6:10-18
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Questions
1. How does understanding that our battle is against evil change how you handle disagreement in relationships?
2. What can you do to prepare for battle every day?
3. What did you learn from this passage?

Plans. Psalm 138

Every now and then we need a reminder that it's the Lord who will ensure that his plan for our lives is accomplished. When life gets hard and starts pressing in around you, trust the Lord. When things aren't going like you think they should, trust the Lord. When everything is right with the world, trust the Lord. Whatever circumstances may come your way, you guessed it...trust the Lord.

Psalm 138
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.

3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.

5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.

6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Questions
1. What do you think God's purpose is for your life?
2. What did you learn about God from this passage?
3. What did you learn about yourself?

We Wait. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Oh how I've missed the blog. The Memorial Day weekend has seperated us now for four days, but no more. The daily study has returned.

Returning happens to be a pretty major theme in our lives. As followers of Christ we wait in eager anticipation for our savior to come and fully redeem us from this fallen world. We see in part now, and know in part now, but there will be a day when we know completely. I long for that day.

As I write this post, I'm reminded of a song that echoes this desire for our home and for the kingdom of God to come. It's by Charlie Hall and called "Rising Shout", look it up if you have a chance.

1 Corithians 13:8-12
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Questions
1. What do you look forward to the most about heaven?
2. What will you most enjoy not experiencing any more about this world?
3. What will stick with you from this passage?

Peace Part 3. Ephesians 4:1-5

Peace has been on my brain lately, as you can tell from the last two postings. So we continue with "Peace Part 3". Peace is such a vital part of Christianity because it means there is not disturbance within the church. Where there is not peace there is not unity.

I hope this passage will be an encouragement to all of us to make every effort to be at peace with all people. Sometimes that means giving up our "rights". Sometimes that means yielding to someone with whom you may disagree. Sometimes it just means being a better person to the people around you. Grace and peace be yours from God our father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-5
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Questions
1. What's one way you can better maintain unity in your church?
2. What did you learn from this passage?
3. What was the most challenging part of it?

Peace Part 2. John 14:23-27

The one who follows Jesus will receive the Spirit of God as a teacher, comforter and empowerer for this life. The disciples have just found out the Jesus is going to leave them. He was their hope, their life. They had given up everything to follow him and then he says he's going to leave. Jesus, aware of how this affected his followers, explains to them that it's going to be ok. They'll be taken care of.

This promise remains for us today. Though your world may crash in around you, you will be at peace because the Spirit of God rests in you. Don't worry and don't be afraid, for it is God who goes before you. It is he who holds and protects you.

John 14:23-27
23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Questions
1. How do you define "peace".
2. What do you think are the top two things people are looking for in the world?
3. What will you take with you from this passage today?

Peace. Romans 15:7-13

God has called us to live in unity as we talked about yesterday. That's easy to say, but what about when you have two groups that just do not get along. This was the case with the Jews and Gentiles in the first century. It wasn't that they didn't get along as much as the Jews saw the Gentiles as second-class, unclean people. Then all of a sudden they're in the same church. Both groups followed Christ, but they didn't always see eye to eye.

This passages helps to explain how they were supposed to live at peace with one another. It also points us toward that same peace. May we live at peace with one another by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:7-13
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name." 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples." 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


Questions
1. What did you learn from this passage?
2. Which part will you take with you today?

Unity. 1 Corinthians 1:4-10

Have you ever been in a group of people and had to come to an agreement on one issue. It's near impossible in some groups. People have different passions and different ideas and agreement is not always the first thing on their minds. This call to agree, that Paul gives in the tenth verse, is not an easy task. I think that's why the prior verses remind the reader that the power of Christ lives in them. They don't lack any spiritual gift. So now the call to unity and agreement is one that can be accomplished, because it is the Spirit of God that lives in them and gives them to accomplish the impossible.

1 Corinthians 1:4-10
4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Questions
1. Do you ever find it difficult to agree with people in the church?
2. What, in this passage, is helpful in overcoming this difficulty?
3. Why do you think agreeing with each other is so important?