showing wisdom

One Lord One Church

I’ve heard it suggested when you are reading the Bible, if you don’t understand a verse, press in to find out. I think our normal practice is to ignore it and move on to what is easy and comfortable. Another said we should look closer at the verses we have not underlined in our Bibles. I definitely take that to heart when digging into a specific area.

A recent verse I have discussed with others is in bold below. 

^9 …This plan, kept hidden for ages by God, the Creator of everything, ¹⁰ is for the rulers and authorities in heaven to learn, through the existence of the Messianic Community, how many-sided God’s wisdom is. Eph 3:9-10 Complete Jewish Bible

How does the “church” (not a building or pastor, but the body of believers) make God’s wisdom known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places?
Please share your thoughts as well…

Who are the rulers and authorities in heavenly places?
Does this include both angels and demons?
Do we really have more wisdom then they do?
How are we teachers to them?

Manifold wisdom is “many sided or multi-faceted” and that definitely describes our God. I think of the verses that talk of “making known” what God has done and how He doesn’t just call us servants, but friends and shares “His business” with us (John 15:15).

Do you think we as a “church” know God’s business?
Are our weekly gatherings about His wisdom?

Another place of having more questions than revelations…at this time. Definitely a section of scripture I will pray into further.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Eph 3:7-13 ESV

Thank you Lord for the richness of your word and that You do want Your mysteries brought to the light. Give us the wisdom and revelation we need to know You better. 

 

favorites

Today it was the memory of this painting capturing my attention and speaking of the rest and shelter that is found with the Lord. I am so happy it found a special home.

Many years ago a friend suggested to read Psalm 91. I did…over and over and over. This summer included an extended time of Psalm 23. It will never be a funeral Psalm to me again – it is so filled with promise and hope! Recently includes a return to Ephesians which is filled with wonder…

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 NLT

Always new things to discover and knowing God’s word helps us to know Him.

How are we to have the mind of Christ unless we seek to know His ways?

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Ephesians 1:11-14 MSG

I pray you will find a book, chapter or verse that will be a resting and launching place for you in this coming year – or month – or week. One that touches you deeply and brings you closer to His heart. 

wine – old or new

Blues

What do you do when topics/words come up multiple times in a day?

I feel its one of the ways God is speaking. I look them up in the bible or dictionary, journal or blog on them, ponder through the day and seek God for wisdom.

The word “wineskins” continues to come up. Apparently there is more to discover…

Luke 5:36-39 NIV
…people do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And none of you, after drinking old wine, wants the new, for you say, “The old is better.”

Luke 5:39 TPT  Yet you say, ‘The old ways are better,’ and you refuse to even taste the new that I bring.

In Luke adds the line – “the old is better.”

Old wine is usually premium and goes for top dollar. That sounds like a bonus right?

What things are old in your life?  We often get set in our ways: daily routine, religious thinking, relationships, clothes, groceries, cars and more. Even if we’re stuck in a rut, we can get used to the rut.

What is that really costing us? Are we settling for something of lesser value? Do the holes and cracks of our wineskin hinder us from God’s best?

Jesus was responding to the those who were satisfied with their fasting ideas and didn’t see He was doing something new. They were content with what they knew and did not want to be challenged. It definitely came with a cost…

Think about the first miracle of Jesus – turning water into wine – it brings even more “wonder” to turn the ordinary of water into the BETTER wine for the wedding guests. 

 

Praying for change in your life? Maybe its time for a new wineskin?

Lord – help us to see as You see. Where we have over-patched, what ideas or routines need to be refreshed or replaced and let us look forward to the NEW You have in store! Amen

above the waves

on the easel

I heard someone over Christmas say, “Oops, I forgot, I’m not going to speak negative, that was negative.”

I think she is is her 80’s and still decided there was a change she felt would be worth it for her life! Keeping up with news, friends, and family – is not always encouraging. Many of the topics most will discuss are the negative ones. She had also commented about getting the paper again. I suggested if she wanted to stay positive – skip the newspaper! :0)

One thing is for sure – the good news of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven is definitely something to uplift us!!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:1-3, 10

The waves will come – it’s part of any great beach scene… but be sure to look up and see what God wants to show you for this coming year. I’ll be taking some time to paint, pray and ponder…

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Have a wonderful celebration of the NEW! Thank you for joining me on this journey. Praying God’s bountiful blessings to you and yours!

noel

Wishing you a Christmas filled with awe, wonder, hope, joy and peace. May this beautiful song and video fill you with even more love for this one called Jesus as you celebrate this Noel “birth of God”.  God’s blessings to you and yours.

The birth of a child who is also a King, Savior, Redeemer, Shepherd, Lamb, Healer, Light and more. 

your story

Free to Soar

The story of Jesus is laid out in advance in the OT, long before Mary and Joseph were even born. It was foretold, where He would be born, how He would be known and even the way that He would die. His story is our history, our heritage, our legacy.

The word of God also points to your story – 
Made in His image, in His likeness (Gen 1:27)
Created for His glory (Isa 43:7)
His workmanship (Eph 2:10)
Not just servants but friends (John 15:15)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Thank you Lord for creating all of us as part of You. That Your word gives us the best picture of our true identity and You know the best ways to guide us on this journey. I pray for our hearts to be enlightened further to know the hope of the calling we have in Christ Jesus – for Your glory and Your story!

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1

 

you have promise

Coming Home

I think of Mary and Joseph traveling that long journey for the census during pregnancy. Not knowing when the baby might come, if they will find a place to sleep or what it really means for this child named “Jesus”.

God’s word is so filled with promises,
with mysteries,
with miracles,
and questions…

He knows every hair on our head (and those that have fallen out), those buried dreams we have locked away in our heart and the hurts that have never been voiced. He knows our deepest dirt and still loves us completely.

We can’t dilute that love. It doesn’t change no matter what we do in this life.

His character is constant. Even if He doesn’t like our actions – He loves us. We are ALL made in His image. We are ALL worthy of His grace. He loves us intimately, He loves us immensely and He wants us ALL to know and experience that love.

Lord I pray that this Christmas we will take some extra time stop all the worldly fuss, to sit with You, to ask You to share Your heart, to listen and realize that voice that has always been “whispering” is really Your voice trying to share love and wisdom. I pray we would realize the fullness of Your gifts to us and find new boldness on how we can share them with those we meet along the way. Thank you Jesus – for Your gift of life.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Psalm 145:8-13 

 

receiving your gifts

New Discovery

Tis the season of giving and honoring others. God is the most generous person and wants to honor His children. Think about these GIFTS (statements of His truth) given to you. If any of them feel a bit uncomfortable, look into the scriptures and ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you about that area.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
WE ARE REDEEMED
WE ARE GIVEN NEW LIFE
WE ARE BLESSED
WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS
WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST
WE ARE CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST
WE ARE SEATED WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS
WE ARE GIVEN AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SNAKES AND SCORPIONS
WE  HAVE ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS
WE ARE BLESSED WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

These aren’t just simple gifts given because we’re Christians; they are part of our calling as believers in Jesus Christ and they came at great cost.

Jesus first had to give up all of His heavenly power and authority to be born of a virgin and then cry, nurse, grow up and mature just like us. He came as Son of God and Son of Man separating the chasm that was created in the garden. Then the bigger cost of the crucifixion. We have these gifts because of His many sacrifices and the following triumph on the cross. They are imparted to us through our belief in Christ. This isn’t just so we can live a happy go lucky life on earth but so we would continue His work. (That can bring even more discussion.)

To bring Kingdom and God’s will on this earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6) Some of our heavenly inheritance is for now, some we must continue to grow into with the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23), like Jesus, growing in stature and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52), being conformed into His image (Rom 8:29), going from glory to glory.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Cor 3:18

unthinkable

Yesterday was a little thought stretching on what we might consider obstacles.

Today, imagine yourself in the journey with Mary and Joseph when they hear what God has in mind for them…

“You will be with child”- but I’m a virgin!
A quiet divorce – “Keep her as yours!”

How would you advise them?

Mary was told she was “highly favored” yet she could be stoned because of this pregnancy. She still said, “Let it be unto me according to Your word.” Joseph was ready for separation but heard the Lord in a dream – STAY.

Mary and Joseph listened, trusted and moved in faith. The simplicity from John 10,

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

 

I pray you will seek His voice and find a new measure of comfort and knowledge of His great love for you. That He also desires for you to birth something more amazing that you could ever dream (not necessarily a child.) It’s not about the obstacles seen on this earth but about His heavenly plans laid out before you were even born. Trust that He knows you more intimately than you know yourself and that you are filled with all the fullness of God. 

Using both the Luke 1 and Matthew 1 stories of Joseph and Mary. You might even see how you might advise Elizabeth and Zechariah with the obstacles in their part of the story. 

you are

…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Looking in our mirror we often see flaws and failings, but that isn’t our TRUE reflection.

We really should be asking God what He sees in us?

In Christ, we have been made new.
In Christ, we are redeemed.
In Christ, we are more than conquerors.

We are not our past, we are not our circumstances, we are not our job or family. We are each made in His image and likeness. Unique. We are not designed to be like everyone else but to be more and more who He created us to be. It’s not about what we once were, but what we are becoming.

I’d like to challenge you to seek His perspective and ask Him to share how He sees you. You are His beloved, His chosen one and He wants to share His heart with you.