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“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 
“Hosanna!”
   ”Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13, NIV)

 Isn’t it amazing how excited the Jews were to welcome Jesus only to deny Him and watch him go to the cross a couple of days later?  It’s almost hard to believe.  How could these people have loved Christ yet have hard hearts toward Him when it counted.  Well, of course this was a part of God’s plan.  It also gives us some insight into how easy it can be for us to forget about Christ.  In these days leading up to Holy Week and the Resurection of our Lord, let us prepare our hearts for Christ.  Let us not deny Him.   Let us sing “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”……..  Let us make a place for Him to reign in our lives forever. 

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. GOD IS LOVE. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”  (1 John 4:16, NIV)

With Valentine’s Day behind us, it seems like a good time to further reflect on what love truly is.  In the last post we read the qualities of Love in 1 Corininthians 13.  But did you know that GOD IS LOVE?  I’m sure you have heard that before, but if you haven’t give it some thought.  This is the only place that God is called something that is not an adjective.  We know that “God is Just,” but that describes a quality about God.  His actions are indeed Just.  But in 1 John 4:16 we see that Love is being used as a noun.  God is actually pure Love. 

The next time that you feel unloved, understand and know that you can in fact be loved.  When you know God, you in effect know love.  Think about it…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)

Yes, 1 Corinthians 13 has become a cliche among many believers.  It sounds so flowery; Love is patient, Love is kind…. We read it at weddings and at anniversaries, but do we really believe it?  Well, I’d say we do believe it, but we don’t really live it.  Why don’t you read all of 1 Corinthians 13 and let it sink in as we approach this holiday of Love in 2 days.  Click this link if you don’t have a Bible handy :

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2013;&version=31;

 “You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new.” (Leviticus 26:10, NIV)

 I don’t know about you, but that sure sounds good to me!  My wife and I had a fantastic 2007 full of blessings and hope for the future…of course, the most notable being the birth of our son, Adam Richard Sayour.  There were other fantastic memories of 2007 though: a career change, book sales touching the lives of strangers, Susan going through her pregnancy with grace.  We have been truly blessed. 

Of course we can’t lose sight of the fact that there are ups and downs of life and that many people do not share in the joy that last year brought us.  Whatever the case, we can all find solace and hope in this verse of Scripture.  I encourage you to read your bible (or click this link http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2026;&version=31) to read the whole of Leviticus 26.  It could change how you view this next year and how you approach your relationship with God.

Happy New Year!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
       “Glory to God in the highest,
                  and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13,14, NIV)

 Isn’t it interesting that when the Angels appeared in the skies to the shepherds that this is the verse that they sung: “..Peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  That is what God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ.  He offers us PEACE.  Do you have Peace? Do you offer others PEACE- the PEACE of Christ?  That is our calling; to know PEACE and to offer it to others.  And of course the only way to know PEACE is to know Christ. 

 Merry Christmas everyone!  May you experience the PEACE of Christ and share it with those around you.

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7, NIV)

Imagine that. There was no room for God at the inn. It’s almost hard to believe. Of course it’s not like the inn keeper knew that Jesus was God but still it is strange. You’d think that they’d make room for a pregnant woman somewhere- it’s not like Mary and Joseph were going to be picky about it. They did afterall give birth in a barn.

It becomes really easy to make judgements about this situation and wonder how there could be no room for Jesus. Could it be that this was in God’s plan as a metaphor of what was yet to come. Every year billions of dollars are spent in November and December in the name of Christmas. People drive like maniacs. Stores are open till all hours of the night. People end up working like dogs. All of this happens because of Christmas. And then we fill up our lawns and yards and roofs with lights and Santas and snowmen. And then the irony hits us. There is once again no room for Jesus on the lawn. Or in the shopping. Or in our attitude.

During this next week  as you go through your holiday routine, I ask you to make room for Jesus.

This is the how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child  through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  (Matthew 1: 18-19, NIV)

Isn’t it interesting that the Christmas story actually begins with adversity.  What was supposed to be a happy time for this couple, Mary and Joseph, as they were to plan their marriage, actually involved a major obstacle.  That obstacle was Jesus.  Isn’t it funny how Jesus can take our plans and our world and turn it  upside down.  Just when you think that you have it figured out, Jesus comes into the picture and changes everything. 

Will you let Jesus into your life this Christmas season?  How will you allow Him to change your plans and your world?  Think about it…

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:15,16, NIV)

Psalm 139 tells us that God saw us when we were in our mother’s womb. Not only did He see us at that time, but He saw every day we would ever live. All at an instant He knew exactly what was going to happen to us and perfectly equipped us to handle every obstacle. Actually, the truth is that this didn’t solely occur at our conception.  Oh no.  God knew all of this from eternity past.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

Think of a time in your life when you were encountering a tough situation and God provided you with the perfect amount of resources, strength, and people to get you through that time.

When I think of my son, now 5 months old, I can’t help but wonder what God has in store for Him. I know that He has great plans for my little Adam and I can’t wait to see them unfold.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.   I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful , I know that full well.  (Psalm 139: 13-14, NIV)

I was leading a workshop at a convention in Boca Raton, FL when these verses really sunk in.  I was speaking on God’s plans for our lives (a common theme for me to speak about) and I came to a point where I usually read Psalm 139.  For some reason this time it was different.  You see, my wife had just given birth to our first child 10 days before.  Somehow that experience made me look at God in a whole new way.  Cliche aside, my son truly was a gift from God. 

It is amazing to me to think that my son (Adam Richard) was made by the hand of God and that even though he has been on this earth only a short time- God already has plans for him. 

God, I do indeed know full well that your works are wonderful!

Reader- what does it mean to you that God made you specifically?

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139: 7-12)

No matter where we are, no matter where we go, God knows it. We don’t have to be afraid of anything. As long as we submit to His will for us, His hand will guide us. He WILL hold us. No situation is too dark. All hope is never lost. God knows about it already. He has already planned to be there for you. His hand will guide you. He will hold you. Will you let him?

You Hem me in– behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain.  (Psalm 139: 5-6, NIV)

I would agree with that assessment.  It is almost unfathomable to think that the one and only God who created the Heavens and the Earth and who authored all of the rules that govern science and nature has laid His hand upon each of us.  It most certainly is too wonderful and lofty a news.  Thank you Lord!

Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. (Psalm 139:1-4, NIV)

Do you ever wonder if God knows what you are thinking?  doing?  saying?   God knows it all.  Read those verses and think about them.  Is there anything that you are going through that God doesn’t know about?  Not according to Psalm 139. 

According to these verses, God knows our thoughts.  He knows what we are doing. He knows what we are saying.  But not only that.  God knows what we are about to think.  He is fully aware of what we are going to do.  And he knows what we will say.

Wow! There is nothing that we can keep from our Heavenly Father.  So lets stop trying to hide all of the things that we are afraid to pray about.  He knows them already.  Lets stop trying to accomplish things on our own.  He knows the desires that are on your hearts.  He so much wants to be a part of our lives. He is afterall our Father and we are His children.

If you’re looking for a place in Scripture that supports the idea that God the Father knows exactly who you are, you need to take a look at Psalm 139. 

During the first week of July, I was leading a workshop and I began to speak on Psalm 139, as I often do.  Right in the middle of the exercise (verses 13-15) it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I can’t even explain it since I have always believed those words, that is after all why I was speaking about it.  But this time it was different.  Susan and I had just given birth to our first child, Adam Richard, the week before.  Somehow, Adam’s birth gave those verses so much more meaning in my own life and it directly goes to support Jeremiah 29 and the plans that God has for us.

I think we will take a little bit of time and a few blog entries to go through this amazing, amazing chapter of Scripture. 

Why don’t you go ahead and read Psalm 139 today and see if it comes alive to you as it does for me.

Here’s a picture of my son (day he was born) from which new insights of who God is have been revealed to me. 

Thank you Lord for my Baby Adam!

Hello all, Just had a baby…its been a crazy 6 months.  The book is selling great.  I hope to have the Newsletters and blog entries up and running soon.  Thanks for you patience and support.

 God Bless,

George

Learn more about the book

Plans To Prosper You: Find Your Purpose through Jeremiah 29

By George E. Sayour            

http://www.plans2prosperu.com/Jeremiah_29_Book.html

Hello family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sorry for the lack of recent Blog entrys.  Susan and I are currently enjoying our vacations and time away from our students.   We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and we pray that you will have a Blessed New Year.  Frequent Blog entries will resume in January.

We leave you with this thought for the New Year.  Something to base your resolutions around:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans for hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

May your pursuits in 2007 be focused on fully realizing God’s plans for your life.

God Bless,

George E. Sayour

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

The book of Isaiah is jam-packed with prophecies about the coming of Jesus.  I can only wonder what the people of that time must have thought when they would hear them.  Were they hopeful or skeptical?  I know at the time when Jesus was actually born many people had internalized and taken them to heart.  One only need look in the first chapters of Matthew and Luke to see how excited people were at the prospect of Jesus being the fulfillment of the prophecies that they had memorized.  See how Elizabeth reacted to Mary’s visit.  Or notice the shepherds actions once they visited the newborn.  And isn’t it amazing that grown men known as Wise, Kings, and Magi would travel from far away just to worship this baby.  All of them obviously believed in the words found in Isaiah.    All of these individuals were excited about a promise- a promise of a gift from their God.  What gift that you have been promised are you excited for this Christmas? 

 Prophecy

See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.  Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; (Malachi 3:1, NIV)

Fulfilled

And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the widom of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  (Luke 1:17, NIV)

I just love the prophecies referring to John the Baptist.  I believe them to be just another way that God was giving His people an irrefutable sign regarding Jesus His son.  You see, an unbeliever today could argue that the Gospel writers wrote things into the Gospels to make it appear that prophecies were being fulfilled.  For instance, the Virgin Birth cannot be proven and therefore we take it on faith.  But the prophecies regarding John the Baptist are a matter of the historical record.

We have manuscripts that are dated hundreds of years before Jesus was born such as the complete book of Isaiah (Dead Sea Scrolls) letting the people know that there will be  a messenger preparing the way for God.  We also know historically about 2 men named Jesus of Nazareth and John the Baptist.  John’s ministry began before Jesus’ and John actually Baptized Jesus.  Once Jesus’ ministry began John’s began to lessen until he was eventually beheaded by King Herod. 

All of this is a matter of historical record and it was foretold hundreds hundreds of years earlier.  So as you go through this season, think to all of the trouble that God went through to make sure that His people would know that Jesus was Lord.  Make sure that you are making Jesus the Lord of this season.

Prophecy: 

the Lord himself will give you a sign:  the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  (Isaiah 7:14, NIV)

Fulfillment: 

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit…………..She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 2:18,21, NIV)

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus”…..”How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”       (Luke 1:31,34, NIV)

Here you have the first prophecy that I would like to introduce. It’s from Isaiah with the fulfillment found in Matthew and Luke.  Talk about a sign from God- the Virgin Birth.  If only we could get such an obvious one for ourselves…  By means of the Virgin Birth, God was telling us: let there be no mistake- this is His son.

I just love the name Immanuel, don’t you?  Immanuel, of course, means “God is with us.”  Isn’t it great to know that God is with us?  Isn’t it great that God sent His son to be with us?  Just the name Immanuel to the Jews waiting for their King would invoke feelings of hope.  Whenever you feel alone think of Immanuel, Jesus, God’s own son sent to be with us.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.  “May it be to me as you have said.”  (Luke 1: 38, NIV)

What great faith Mary had!  Think about it.  Here you are a young virgin girl in a tradition steeped in “The Law” and societal conventions and you have this visitor.  It is an angel and the news that he carries will change your life.  Do you believe him?  And even if you do, what will others think?  What will Joseph think?  Mary puts all of those concerns aside and chooses to trust God.  Mary knew that “if God is for us, then who could be against us.”  Mary knew that she was going to be used in a very special way.  She didn’t let herself get bogged down with the fact that she didn’t have all of the details.  Mary trusted that God would take care of things.

When God lets you in on His plans for your life, do you trust Him?  Or do worry about all of the details?  Be like Mary and learn to trust that God will be with you as His plans for your life come to fruition.

and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  (Matthew 2:2, NIV)

These men who are called kings or wise men were traveling long and far to worship a baby.  Can you imagine traveling through the night to bring gifts to a baby?  I wish that we knew more about these men.  Did they ever see Jesus preach?  Did they know of his death and resurection?  We don’t know.  All that we do know is that they came to worship this infant.  Its interesting.  They weren’t looking for anything in return.  They had no prayer to him to get anything for themselves.  They were there to worship.

During this Christmas season worship Jesus for who he is not for what you can get. 

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

(Luke 1:45, NIV)

How strongly do you believe that God’s Will for your life will be accomplished?  How much do you believe in the promise found in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord….?

Mary believed that God’s work would be in done in her life.  Mary knew what God had directly promised to her and trusted that those plans would come to fruition.  How often in our own lives do we know what God wants for us, yet we doubt that the plans will or can come true.  During this Christmas season let us be like Mary by trusting in the promises of God.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, adn Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among wiomen, and blessed is the child you bear!  But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

(Luke 1:41-44, NIV)

When was the last time you were so excited about something that you lept for joy?  These verses tell us a lot about the people’s mindset back in the time before Jesus.  Notice Elizabeth’s reaction to the visit that she received from Mary and the unborn Jesus.  From deep within her she felt joy just by their presence.  Even John the Babtist, still in Elizabeth’s womb, lept for joy.  And Elizabeth felt honored to even be in the presence of Mary who was carrying the Messiah.  The Jews of this time so longed for their promised Savior that they couldn’t contain themselves. 

How excited are you for Christmas?  How much do you look forward to the comming of Jesus into your life?  Do you find hope in this season?

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19, NIV)

I know that I included this verse with yesterday’s entry.  I just wanted to bring out another point about it.  Reflect on Joseph’s attitude about his news.  Consider that in the days of Mary and Joseph a betrothal (engagement) was much more binding than today and only to be broken by divorce.  Joseph’s first reaction toward’s Mary’s supposed infidelity was toward her and not himself.  She was the guilty one, yet he was concerned with her wellbeing.  This concept is completely foreign to us today and the Holy Spirit was doubtlessly involved in his heart.  God had a plan for Mary and Joseph and it was only fullfilled due to Joseph’s proper attitude. 

When was the last time a loved one had harmed or sinned against you?  How did you react?  What was your response?  Believe me I’m as guilty of lashing out as the next guy.  But I submit to you that Joseph’s attitude is the right one and ever so appropriate for this Christmas season.  Do you have the right attitude for God’s plans to be fulfilled in your life?

    Well, this Thanksgiving Holiday is over and Black Friday is also behind us.  As we move into this Advent and the preparation for Christmas let your thankful heart and attitude remain with you for the remainder of the year.  Draw upon the moments of this last weekend to get you through the hustle and bustle of this season. 

     For the next 4 weeks we will examine interesting points about the Christmas story and how it relates to us today.  We will also call to mind all of the prophecies of the Old Testament that foretold of the events leading up to Christmas.  So stay tuned and remember to tell your friends.

The Thanksgiving edition of the Plans 2 Prosper You Monthly Newsletter has just been emailed out.  If you aren’t a subscriber or did not receive it be sure to go to our website at

www.plans2prosperU.com  and sign up to receive this free publication.

May God bless during this holiday season! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 ,NIV)

In the midst of all of the Turkey and stuffing and family gatherings, don’t forget to give thanks to our God for all that He has done for us.  Have a great long weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  (Psalm 107:1, NIV)

This is probably one of the most popular of the verses containing the word “thanks” in it.  It is simple, yet so powerful.  God is indeed good.  Who can deny that?  But what this verse is telling us is to remember to Thank God for His goodness and His love.  We often thank God for things that we have and for people in our lives but how many times do we thank God because He is good to us and because He loves us?  Of course there are plenty of you out there that do thank God for these things.  But others of us may not.  During this week of Thanksgiving don’t only remember to thank God for all that you have and the people in your lives. Be sure to remember to thank God for being a good and loving God.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

(Psalm 28:7, NIV)

Many of today’s Christians are under the impression that worship music is a relatively new and modern way to pray.  This is just not so.  King David, the original Song and Worship leader, was sing praises to God thousands and thousands of years before Michael W. Smith or Chris Tomlin every sat down to a piano.  Here David writes one of his purposes for song- To Give Thanks. 

Song is such a great way to pray and to thank God.  The best part about it is that we don’t have to wait for Sunday or some special occasion to sing our praises to God.  Each of us can thank God in song just by praying the music that we listen to on the way to and from work.  Think about it.  Turn the frustration of your morning and evening commutes into a time of praise and thanksgiving to God by praying in song.  Just be sure to keep your eyes on the road….

As we enter this last week before Thanksgiving Day, we will take a look at what the authors of the Bible had to say on the subject.  Of course we should be thanking God on a daily basis for our blessings.  But in a special way, I encourage you to make a deliberate effort to thank God for your blessings each of these days leading up to Thanksgiving Day.

This is the weekend of my second Anniversary!!  Susan and I are off to Epcot Center and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  See you all next week.

Well, we’ve just finished our brief study and walk through The Book of Ephesians.  Remember all of the BLOG posts are available in the catagories on the right hand side of this screen.  I encourage you to revisit them periodically.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of hte gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  (Ephesians 6:19-20, NIV)

I find these 2 verses so encouraging.  Often times I am upset with myself for not declaring the word of God boldly enough.  Then I read these verses and realize that even Paul struggled with this.  He wouldn’t be asking people to pray for him to be able to fearlessly declare the Word of God if he didn’t need the help.  Its kind of hard to believe isn’t it?  Most of the New Testament was written by Paul, yet he is asking for prayers and support to be able to spread the Word. 

Paul knew that it was his purpose to spread the Good News.  It was God’s plan for him to do this.  In order for us to fully realize the plans that God has for us the plans referred to when we read “For I know the plans I have for you”  we must spread the word of God. 

I also become fully aware from these verses that I do need the prayers. We all do.  It is not just up to ourselves to get this done.  We need to support each other in identifying ourselves as Christians and in spreading the Good News. 

Take a moment and pray for your family and friends that they not only become closer in their relationship with Jesus but that they become fearless in spreading the Word of God.

And 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. 

(Ephesians 6: 18, NIV) 

There is no limit to when or how or what we should pray for.  Here Paul tells us to pray 1) on all occasions.  2) with all kinds of prayers  and 3) all kinds of requests.  Our heavenly father wants to hear from us about all things- good and bad, how your day was, what you are looking forward to, and what you are afraid of.    He wants us to ask him for things so that He can provide and be the source of our happiness.

Some of my most intimate prayers have been spent while kayaking down a Class 4 River or while hiking in the mountains.   As I marveled at the splendor of God’s creation I would thank Him for all that Has done and will do for us.  I truly felt His presence during those times.

When and where do you feel closest to God?

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  (Ephesians 6:17, NIV)

So far we’ve put on a belt truth, our breastplate of righteousness, our shield of faith, and our feet are fitted with readiness.  Here we come to the final two pieces of armor to put on in our faith life.  We are to wear a helmet of salvation and to carry the sword of the Spirit. 

Our salvation will protect us against the efforts of the enemy.  Helmets are worn on the head (duh!) with the sole purpose of protecting our scull and our brain.  By outwardly wearing this “helmet” our minds will be stronger and more able to resist the temptations of this world that help us to go astray. 

Here Paul flat out says that the sword of faith is the Word of God.  Our knowledge and application of Biblical truths will actually be used as a weapon against attackers.  Armed with this sword, our enemies may not even try to harm us.

So wear your helmets and carry your swords proudly because no one can harm you!

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  (Ephesians 6:16, NIV)

In effort to bring our study of Ephesians to a close I almost combine this verse with the next 2.  Then when I read it over, I realized how powerful this really is.  This verse needs to stand alone.

By placing the words “Take up” in this verse, Paul is telling us that we must make a deliberate decision to have and excercise our Faith.  He then adds the imagery of the “shield” as associated with faith.  Shields are used as a method of defense.  Our faith will shield us from the weapons of the “evil one.”  Our faith will shield us from lies, deceit, hopelessness, depression, and any other weapon that satan throws at us. 

How cool is that….

And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  (Ephesians 6:15, NIV)

The Holy Spirit gave Paul an interesting way of wording this verse.  We know that we need to be ready. This whole “Armor of God” discourse is about being prepared.  But here Paul tells us that we are readiness is to be rooted in the “gospel of peace.” 

I don’t know about you but most of the time when I think of being ready, I think of being ready for an argument, ready to fight back, and ready to defend myself.  Here we are reminded to be ready to make peace. 

Just think about this.  We are urged to wake up in the morning and be prepared to make peace with the people that we encounter and the circumstances that are out of our control.  Even just writing this right now, I feel more at peace. 

Think of peace….

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, wit the breastplate of righteousness in place.  (Ephesians 6:14, NIV)

As we move through these last verses of Ephesians, Paul continues with the symbolism of puting on the “Full Armor of God.”  Here he mentions two aspects that are both related to a person’s character:truth and righteousness.  We need to be armed with the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and we must expend all of our efforts to be righteous.  Armed with these character references we will win the battle.  No force is needed. 

Put on the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.  (Ephesians 6:11, NAB)

Most sports and physical activities require protective gear.  Football players wear helmets.  Soccer players wear shin guards.  Downhill skiers wear gloves.  Whitewater kayakers wear lifejackets.  In each case, the individual doing the activity wouldn’t even think about participating without the required equipment.  Granted, any of the activities can be performed without the helmets, shin guards, gloves, or life jackets.  All of the gear is precautionary, yet each item is deemed necessary.

Why then do we go out each day in this game called life without our necessary precautions?  Many of us wake up each day and dive right into our routines.  Wake the kids up.  Shower.  Get dressed. Make breakfast.  Off to school.  Off to work.  Where is the time for God?  Did we even pray?  Did we pick up the Bible? 

Imagine if we approached life in the same way that we approached our hobbies.  Imagine if we prepared the way we practice a sport.    Even though we know very easily the daily trials we will encounter, we often don’t go into them with the Armor of the Lord or the word of God.  How much more secure would we be if we readied ourselves for the obstacles that we know we will face each day? 

I’ll be that each of us already know one trial we will face in the next 24 hours.  Did we pray about it?  Have we checked to see what the word of God says about it?  Have we spoken to anyone we trust about it? 

What can you do as a part of your daily routine to help you overcome the obstacles that you know you will encounter each day?

Be careful then how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)

These 2 verses together are great.  They sum up what we should be thinking when we make our daily decisions.  We are to live wisely, putting thought into our decisions.  We are to ask whether or not we are making the most out of the opportunities that are before us.  We need to understand the Lord’s will. 

Of course, this is easier said then done.  But if we actually think about our decisions and actions and put Christ into them, we will make wiser choices.  Making wiser choices will lead us to making the most of our opportunities.  As we live a life of well thought out and wise choices and seized opportunities we will know the will of God. 

This is a very important set of elections.  Make time to go and vote on Tuesday!

Read Chapters 5 & 6 of Ephesians.

Your homework for this weekend is to finish reading the book of Ephesians as we will bring our brief study of it to a close this week. 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, Live as children of the Light. 

(Ephesians 5:8, NIV)

God wants for us to have purpose, meaning, and direction.  There is no direction in darkness.  You can’t find your way in the dark.  It is only in the light that one can navigate the unknown.  This verse calls us to live in the light.  But not only that.  We are called to actually be the light.  And as the light, others will come to know the source of that light, which is Jesus.  So shine bright.  When others see you, let them find direction that is rooted in Christ.  Let your light spread to others so that they too can be the light of Christ.  Imagine the imagery of a sole candle lighting another candle.  And then another candle.  And then each of those candles lighting other candles.  And so on.  Picture the light spreading, growing, and not diminishing.  That is how the light of Jesus should spread among us.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love as Christ loved us…

(Ephesians, 5:1-2(partial), NIV)

Verse #1 seems totally impossible.  How can we imitate God?  That is why the second part is there.  Jesus was sent into this world to save us.  He was also sent as an example of how to live and how to love.  The love that Jesus exhibited was better described as Love In Action.  He didn’t merely tell people that He loved them.  He showed them.  He ate at their houses, He healed their ailments, He forgave their sins.  In all things He put others first.  This is our calling. 

Who can you show LOVE IN ACTION to today?

In your anger do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

(Ephesians 4:26, NIV)

One of my earliest memories of anything ever taught to me was this verse by my parents.  Actually, I think that they specifically told me to never go to bed while I was still mad at anyone.  Of course, this seems like common sense.  But think.  How many times in your life have you been upset with someone for days, weeks, months, or even years at a time.  How quickly the issue could have been resolved if this verse were adhered to .  How much less stress we would have if we would listen to this verse. 

Who in your life right now are you upset with?  I challenge you to do something about it today, before you go to bed tonight.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off you old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  (Ephesians 4: 22-24, NIV)

When Jesus would heal a person, He generally would follow it up by saying something to the extent of “go and sin no more.”  Jesus would make people walk, the blind to see, and cure people of hideous and debilitating diseases.  All He wanted in return was for the person to realize that He had given them the chance to make a change in their lives and He wanted them to “sin no more.”

In this passage from Ephesians, Paul is telling us a similar concept.   Once we know Jesus, we are called to “put off your old self” and to “put on your new self.”  We are to sin no more.  Paul actually says here that we were created to be like God- in richeousness and holiness.

What parts of your old self are you hanging onto?  What is keeping you from being a new creation in Him?

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

(Ephesians 4:15-16, NIV)

In this verse we have the imagery of the Church as a unified Body with Jesus Christ as its Head..  The Body of Christ is made up of many different parts that are all connected.  As each part grows, so grows the Body- and thus the church continues to grow.   We all have our role to fill and we are called to serve in love.    Each of us fulfills a functional and needed role to further the growth of this Body. 

What part of the Body are you?  What is your purpose?  What have you been called to do or be in order to connect and complete the Body so that the church continues to grow?

It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.  (Ephesians 4:11-12, NIV)

The month of October has quietly been known among Christian communities as Minister Appreciation Month.  It is only fitting that today, the last Sunday of October, that we come across this verse in Ephesians that speaks to this very cause.  We must remember that it was God himself who called our church leaders to be in the positions that they are.  We should thank them for heeding the call and for fulfilling their purposes in Christ Jesus. 

Be sure to thank your pastor today!

We are working to straighten out the bugs…please visit us soon.