The Book of Ephesians Overview - Introduction!

On Wednesday Night, September 10th, 2014 I will begin an 8 week class / bible study on Paul's letter to the Ephesian Church. How many of us truly believe in the Holiness of God?

God sees the church as a wonderful possession. For Jesus the church is a beautiful bride, for whom he gladly gave up his life. But how do we see the church?

Do we see the church as a community or those who joyfully share every spiritual blessing? Do we see God’s poetry, a people saved by grace and united in love? Do we see the saints of the long-hidden secret, now strengthen by the Spirit, indwelt by Christ, growing to be like Jesus and renewed daily into the image of God? Do we see the love, light, and wisdom that make God’s people so special? Do we see a marching army, fully equipped and competent to stand against any foe?

If God’s people can just view ourselves with heaven’s vision, we can begin to live the heaven-bound life. This 8 week study opens opportunities for living each day in more complete awareness of who we really are in Jesus. The goal is to live in holiness and in eager anticipation of the dawn of heaven in our current life; living a consummation of everything God has created us to be.

I find it amazing how God has truly blessed us beyond words. My prayer is that through this class we might discover His blessing and apply it in our daily journey toward heaven. I will be sharing some of the insights on this blog.

You know I love ya, Don

If you are in the area of Central PA - Howard Christian Church, Wednesday Nights, Sanctuary Annex – 7:00-8:00 PM 
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Blaise Pascal Greatness and Wretchedness: Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde

I have always admired Pascal for his contributions to math. It humbles me to think that one of the world's foremost brains on math was so dedicated to living a life filled with virtue. I am touched by the teaching on a "duel" nature. It is better for me to state that my study on the "Holiness Tradition" has also knocked me down a peg or two. There is a stark reality in these classic masters of Spiritual Formation teach on living "virtue."

Pascal states, "Our greatness and wretchedness are so evident that the true religion must necessarily teach us that there is in us some great principle of greatness and some great principle of wretchedness." I totally agree there are two elements in myself that bring great contradictions that roar in my head, heart, and strength. To what degree is this a nature, I am not sure...but I do know that both of these elements exist in my personality. I am more inclined to stated that I am a fallen creature because of my sinful heart that desires to think only of itself. It is the call of my creator that reminds me of the greatness that he created within me and that God's call is what motivates me to be more like him. It is also his call that lifts me up and heightens my awareness of what he has created me to be.

"It is vain that you seek within yourselves the cure for your miseries" was a another statement that resonated in my heart as I traveled this chapter. God has willingly united himself to me so as to bring me out of my sinful nature into a life restored to my creator. In God's willingness I experience his favor. I experience grace, while my heart is humbled and in turn he grants me a cure for my miseries. I do not have to beat myself up or denigrate my emotions because the reality is that I am unable to redeem myself. My redemption comes through Jesus Christ. He is the one the has paid my debt and I surrender my all (the great and the wretched) so that he can lift me and demonstrate where my help comes from. It is in this new relationship that I can fully experience life as one united with God by grace and not by my nature.

Therefore, I seek to find the light that Pascal refers to by the grace that God has demonstrated in uniting with me. Thus, I declare to all I meet that Jesus is the means by which we are saved. I am granted courage and strength to stand for justice, fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves, and live a generous life as he has so generously given to me because my nature (great and wretched) has taken the back set and his grace and truth is guiding me.

Learning to live with more virtue...you know I love ya, Don

Box of tomatoes....a reminder to produce!

And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down'.” - Luke 13:6-9

 We were given a big box of fresh tomatoes. All sort of varieties of tomatoes were in the box. Karen used them to make stewed tomatoes and then some homemade salsa. All good eats if you ask me. With the drought this year, our garden has not produced so well. Even with my watering it, it has just been too dry. What we found is our friend has a well and uses the excess water in the well to water their garden. It reminded me of this parable and that our lives need to be tended and watered regularly in order to produce.

This is such an unusual parable. Jesus tells a short and concise story of faithfulness and a call to repent. Responding to God's call is ripe for all to hear and respond. The parable is letting us know that God is investing in his creation and their will come a time when fruit will be expected and when it is not produced there is sad results. Bradford Reeves of Texas writes:

I remember when I was given some exceptional homegrown vegetables. While thanking the people involved, I asked what made the vegetables so good. They told me that the growing temperature had been just right and rain had come at just the right time. Much of what led to their exceptional crop did not depend on them.

Unlike that vegetable crop, much of what influences our spiritual life does depend on us. We determine our attitude, our disciplines, and our willingness to grow. So I check myself from time to time. I look at my attitudes: Do I trust God? Am I seeking to stay in love with God? I look at my spiritual practices: praying, reading the Bible, attending worship, receiving Communion, doing all the good I can, avoiding all the evil I can. Do I seek out spiritual counsel? I look at my willingness to grow: Do I desire God above all things?

I agree with Mr. Reeves. It takes work to be a growing believer in Christ. The sinful nature is like weeds in a garden. If I do not tend and work toward spiritual formation, then the sinful nature will take over and my life is filled with weeds of sin. I want to bear exceptional fruit in God’s kingdom, but I know that means I cannot simply depend on what comes to me. I have my part to do.

Striving to be all the God created in me....you know I love ya, Don

God is Determined to demonstrate His love!

“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:3-4

God is serious about having a relationship with us and being our first priority in life. As we have seen, He continually told the Israelites, "I am the Lord your God." He brought them out of bondage in Egypt, kept them fed and clothed for 40 years; and led them into a land that He had set aside for them. And they responded to God's grace and provision with rebellion, distrust, and harsh actions...

In fact, they didn't respond worse then we can imagine. They grumbled and complained and even rejected God and worship other gods. Even while Moses was on Mount interceding with God on their behalf, they were creating a golden calf to worship. YET, God would not forsake His people...then or now. God was determined and still is determined to show His grace and the holiness of His great name through His people. He still intends to do the same in our generation.

"Lord, help me to never take advantage of You or Your amazing grace. You are a great God. Full of love and compassion. Thank you. I love you. Amen."

You know I love ya - Don

(This idea is explored more through, Seven Words of Worship by Mike Harland and Stand Moser.)