Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
We’re all dead at some point. Sure, in the beginning before salvation, we were dead. But I believe we’re also near death in more than one place. Do you ever get that stiff voice inside you that says “You’re spiritually dead.” Do you ever explore that voice and start to examine yourself? You should. It might be a warning that you are. How do you pick up the pieces?
Continue readingEphesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
Jesus Christ died for us on the cross so that our sins may be forgiven and our eternity with Him in Heaven sealed. All we have to do is repent, believe, and follow (Romans 10:9) to take this wonderful gift.
What does it mean to be redeemed?
Continue readingPsalm 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
The Pslamist’s message is pretty clear:
But what does that mean and how do we do this? The short answer is that we trust in the Lord.
Continue readingMatthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
We all have something that we simply cannot shake. For some, it’s an issues with anger. For others, it is some form of addiction. For you, it might be something that you’ve been praying and asking God to take away from you, but He simply has not. For all of us, it’s simply carrying our imperfections as we follow Jesus. Paul talks about a “thorn” that he could not get rid of (2 Corinthians 12) that God explained as being weakness that would glorify God’s strength.
Continue readingMy wife and I are half way through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. It’s a great class for anyone interested in a better way to manage money. This week the class took a break for parents to spend time with their kids during their mid-winter break from school. Our Pastor preached a sermon on tithing and it filled the week with an important lesson. God will protect us from credit vultures if we give diligently.
In the first part of Proverbs 1, we learned about the beginning of knowledge and how important the fear of the Lord is. It is always important to keep your focus on God and stay away from bad advice. That fear will help prevent you from being lured by the wrong influences. Your parents are a key set of people to listen to on this earth, while studying and letting the Father (God) guide you through His word. Always avoid evil counsel and bad influences.
I was looking for a little spiritual wisdom this morning. Also for some calm and peace of mind. My mom is going in to see her Oncologist about the first procedure help treat her cancer. This is when I remembered a study of Ephesians 1 in my Sunday school class.
Lately, I’ve been feeling like a slave. Its gotten me down, made me cranky, and changed my outlook on my job. This change wasn’t positive and it started to cause rifts in aspects of my life. I found myself snippy, more irritable, and borderline ungrateful. I had no hope in sight, and accepted my dark path.
Today I was reminded of something Paul wrote in Colossians. He tells us to work hard, work for the Lord, and don’t consider yourself a slave to human masters.
Colossians 3:23-24 says ” 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (NKJV)
It doesn’t matter what situation you’re in with work. Low pay, long hours, or stress. Just turn your eyes to God and the things of this world won’t matter. At the end of the day you’re doing the work for yourself, your family, and for God.
-Dan
