Abundantly More

     In moments when our faith wavers, it would be good to remember Ephesians 3:20.  Because God is omnipotent,  he can do all things and more abundantly than we can ever do on our own.  Then verse 21 helps us remember to give Him the glory for the work He has chosen to do in our lives.  
     When I look back on the events of my life, I can truly say that I have been blessed through God amazing works. 
     To add to my own understanding of the meaning of verses 20-21, I read it in several versions:

Ephesians 3:20-21 King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Living Bible (TLB)

²⁰ Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. ²¹ May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the Church through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:20-21 The Message (MSG)

^20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

 

 

A WOW Moment

     Do you ever look for a "Wow" moment experience?  Whether we realize it or not, we all have them.  What makes it so exciting is recognizing them when they occur. 
     When Peter walked on the water that was a "Wow" moment.  When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, that was a "Wow" moment.  It had to have been a "Wow" moment when Simon Peter followed Jesus' request as found in Luke.  "Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink."
     Okay, so maybe our "Wow" moments are not so oblivious.  Yet they exist.  Think about it! 
                       W-onder
                       O-verwhelmed
                       W-inning situations  

     Has a rainbow ever lifted your spirits?  Have you been in a near-missed accident?  Has a friend crossed your path at just the right time when you needed them the most?  
     If you simply cannot recall a "Wow" moment, maybe you could be the instrument needed to create a "Wow" moment in someone else's life...at just the right time... you may be drawn to provide  a smile, a kind word, a gesture of good-will --  a tank of gas, a bag of groceries... 

                           W O W !

                

        

 

Alive!

 1 John 4:16 "God is love." 

     God's love is shown in all of creation.  God said, "Let there be light:and there was light."  God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters...and it was so."  God said, "Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place...and it was so."  God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind...and it was so."  God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years...and it was so."  And God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so."  God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...and it was so."  
     From all that God did and does, "Behold, it is very good."  He is in it all yesterday, today and tomorrow. 


         Alive and Here

Christ is in the atmosphere.
Living here!
Always near!
A breathe yesterday, today, tomorrow;
A joy covering life's sorrow.
He is alive!
In Him, I thrive.
A rustle, a quiet voice waiting,
   controlling the universe.
In Him, my sins are reversed.  
Christ is watching, protecting;
   Three in One - connecting;
   cleansing, redeeming, healing;
My fate continually sealing.
Christ is like the mist,
 a shadow in my midst;
 a moist drop of dew,
 refreshing, making anew.
Oh, He is alive!
 Hear Him and thrive.

He is a touch, a feel, a whispering nudge;
  loving, thou my final judge.
He is a smell, a taste, a budding flower;
What awesome power!

Christ is a heartbeat, the very soul;

  a guiding hand, making whole.
Jesus Christ is in the atmosphere.
Always here!

Always near!
            Mary Crisp Jameson

Fruit of the Spirit

     As I filled my bucket with produce from my garden, I was amazed by the amount of okra, peas, tomatoes, and eggplant I had picked and was, also, thankful that God had just provided the rain needed to create more blooms which would soon give off even more amazing vegetables.  The yield was good but not as fulfilling as the "fruit of the Spirit."

Galatians 5:22-23(NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control."

     When considering the fruit of the Spirit, I was interested to find an article taken from Dr. Stanley's writings where he described these fruits.  He defined the fruit of the spirit as follows: 

Love - The highest form of love, chiefly characterized by self-sacrifice
Joy - Gladness of heart, not based on circumstances; Christ's joy within us that is manifested even in difficult or painful situations
Peace- Tranquility of mind and soul, based on a right relations with God; a sense of rest and contentment even in the darkest storms
Patience- Ability or willingness to be long-tempered as opposed to quick-tempered; steadfast endurance of provocation, wrong, or ill treatment, without thought of revenge
Kindness- Goodness in action, expressing itself in grace, tenderness, compassion and love
Goodness-Moral and honorable excellence manifested in deeds
Faithfulness- Trust in God, taking Him at His word; trustworthiness and dependability
Gentleness- That temper of spirit which accepts God's dealings with us as good
Self-Control- The virtue of one who masters his desires, passions, impulses, and appetites.

     Just as God watered my garden to provide more summer produce, we need to nurture our relationship with Him in order to produce the fruit of the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:24-25 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. "

Independence Day

     It is a joy to celebrate Independence Day.  To watch the fireworks on display and to know we are a free people.
     In no way do I want to take away the idea of Independence Day and our freedom, but there is another thought I have about independence.  This applies to joy and happiness.  So many people today are dependent upon things and people.  We expect instant gratification to make us happy.  We look to spouses or family members for our joy.  If they do not perform like we expect, we allow those actions to take away our joy.   
     Actually the only true personal independence in maintaining joy comes through faith in our Lord and Savior.  We need to stop expecting others to make us happy.  That will never happen.  Our joyful independence comes from within ourselves.  God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the only true sources for lasting joy.  Our final Independence Day will be when the Lord appears to take us home to be with Him.   

1 Thessalonians 4:17

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

 

Romans 15:13

May 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.

Weather Forecast

     I don't know about everyone else or every other place, but here in A Friendly Shade we can always use a little rain once July comes around.  The garden gets dry very fast. 
     However, the best weather forecast that I have seen which appeared on a church signboard is:

 "God reigns; The Son shines." 

 

     When we have God in our lives and truly believe in Jesus, His death, and His resurrection we can survive any weather which comes our way.  

Impact for God

     I seem to have slipped and been away, for a spell,  from writing for Jesus.  Although I have not been posting weekly, I love the Lord no less, and I know that Jesus is like the father of the lost son described in Luke, chapter 15.  "His father saw him and was filled with compassion.  He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him." 
     Although I fail miserably, I sincerely want to make an impact for the Glory of God.  How do I succeed?  Some simple reminders come from the word IMPACT.

I-nform others of God
M-anage your tongue and thoughts
P-ut away differences
A-pproach others with sincere love
C-loak yourself in the Word
T-each righteousness through words and actions

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "I would put it to you, my dear hearer, have you been fruitful?  Have you been fruitful with your wealth?  Have you been fruitful with your talent?  Have you been fruitful with your time?  What are you doing for Jesus now?  Salvation is not by doings, you are saved by grace, but if you are so saved, prove it by your devoted life.  Consecrate yourself anew this day wholly to your Master's service.  You are not your own but bought with a price, and if you would not be like these thorn-choked seeds, live while you live, with all-consuming zeal."