This chapter is probably my favorite in Ephesians. THere are a couple of key verses that are my favorites and the teachings in this get me all happy and fired up!
The first part of chapter 5 challenges me greatly and has ever since I was in junior high. Every teen struggles with sexual impurity and is usually the greatest battle in high school. These first 1-14 helped me understand how God wanted me to view sexual impurity and that it is a strong sin - evil. "No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kindgom of Christ and of God."
and verse 3 is a huge struggle to obtain, but I know that it is possible. But we as men have to stop trying to accomplish this on our own, and thats why small groups (if taken seriously and honestly) are so important.
Then one of my favorite verses that the Bible has given me - vs 15,16.
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. " Soooooo good!
Then the next little bit about Wives and Husbands. This part is incredible for me as a young man looking to get married in the next little bit (5-10years haha)...anyways, it is still so inspiring and excellent the way that they describe marriage and how a man must treat his wife. I dont look at this as a man power speech, but rather focusing on how the relationship of marriage is very much respect and honor towards the spouse. I very much look forward to loving my wife this way and she loving me this way. And for you two married men, Im sure this verse is one of encouragement and mentoring.
Love chapter 5!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
check this out!
guys, my homepage is nationalgeographic.com and a couple of days ago they had this video of some guy that made an oath with God and he crucifies himself on the cross once a year. Annually on easter. Its somewhere in the middle east if I rememeber correctly.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070405-jesus-video.html
Watch this video and tell me what you think...it seems a little extreme to me. I could be wrong though.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070405-jesus-video.html
Watch this video and tell me what you think...it seems a little extreme to me. I could be wrong though.
Ephesians 4
One God, One body
It feels pretty sweet to be able to claim, I am part of the body of Christ. Every human being desires to be part of something, a team, a clique, some sort of group that provides support and confidence. In a running club, everyone trains together, everyone warms up together, but as soon as the day of the race comes, the team that is on your t-shirt means nothing, it is now 100% individual.
THe body of Christ cannot be like that, but tends to always shoot down that road. I even found the competition for "better" or "truer" faith to be something that happened constantly. Not with everyone, but it became something that people wouldnt notice until it became blatant and a serious reality check was needed. I find myself doing much the same as the runner example. We gather on sundays, bible studies, etc. for all of the training, and then as soon as we leave that time, we are 100% individual. It shouldnt be like that, everyone excels differently, and faith is something that to a certain extent is individual. Such as, some are charasmatic, and others stiff as a board. Yet their faith resides in the Lord, and he is their savior. Some desire extreme theological knowledge and have BA's and masters like no ones business, and others have read the bible straight up and have found God to be very real with a simple faith. Either way, faith in the Lord is the same, one father, one body.
The runners maybe dont need to run together in race, but rather have headsets/radios so they can cheer each other on. Coaching one another not to give up, but to finish the race and utilize all the times they trained as a team.
So often I wish I was not so individualistic about my faith, and would be able to phone a friend up, or one of you guys and ask for prayer. Use what I learned/trained, and understand that we are a body and should work as one. It helps my faith, your faith, and strengthens the ability to do the task at hand, whatever that may be.
Chapter 4 is a great chapter on understanding the body of Christ and also living Christ like, I really enjoyed chapter four.
"Be kind and compassionate to one antoher, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
It feels pretty sweet to be able to claim, I am part of the body of Christ. Every human being desires to be part of something, a team, a clique, some sort of group that provides support and confidence. In a running club, everyone trains together, everyone warms up together, but as soon as the day of the race comes, the team that is on your t-shirt means nothing, it is now 100% individual.
THe body of Christ cannot be like that, but tends to always shoot down that road. I even found the competition for "better" or "truer" faith to be something that happened constantly. Not with everyone, but it became something that people wouldnt notice until it became blatant and a serious reality check was needed. I find myself doing much the same as the runner example. We gather on sundays, bible studies, etc. for all of the training, and then as soon as we leave that time, we are 100% individual. It shouldnt be like that, everyone excels differently, and faith is something that to a certain extent is individual. Such as, some are charasmatic, and others stiff as a board. Yet their faith resides in the Lord, and he is their savior. Some desire extreme theological knowledge and have BA's and masters like no ones business, and others have read the bible straight up and have found God to be very real with a simple faith. Either way, faith in the Lord is the same, one father, one body.
The runners maybe dont need to run together in race, but rather have headsets/radios so they can cheer each other on. Coaching one another not to give up, but to finish the race and utilize all the times they trained as a team.
So often I wish I was not so individualistic about my faith, and would be able to phone a friend up, or one of you guys and ask for prayer. Use what I learned/trained, and understand that we are a body and should work as one. It helps my faith, your faith, and strengthens the ability to do the task at hand, whatever that may be.
Chapter 4 is a great chapter on understanding the body of Christ and also living Christ like, I really enjoyed chapter four.
"Be kind and compassionate to one antoher, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Ephesians 3: 14-21
I know I should be on ephesians 4, but I wanted to finish chapter 3 first.
Vs. 16 "He would grant you" describes how everything we get from God is undeserved and is a complete and utter blessing from him. Something that I often forget and take advantage of and take for granted. Right after those words he says "according to the riches of His glory." What a sweet way of describing God, his greatness, Paul used it earlier and I love it every time.
I could continue picking apart the verses simply and saying why I like them....but I wont. The thing I really took from these finishing verses in chapter 3 was the idea of God's love and power. Verse 19 says that his love surpasses knowledge. Which does'nt seem possible. I believe it, but it takes great faith. I sometimes wonder why I do not feel that great love all the time, I know that it is not God, its on me. The reason that I do not respect and recognize his love is my fault. How do I go about trying to understand, identify, feel and most importantly SHOW his great love.
I know when my parents for example show me love, I feel it. God's I think is more difficult....I think it can be tangible and not. Tangible in the sense that love from my parents is essentially from God. Or the random hug that I get from a friend is exactly what I need, a blessing from God. Or simply looking at the beauty of his creation that surrounds me, it shows how he gave me beauty to admire and have, his creation, made out of his love.
Do you think that his love can be not tangible. It sits at the door step to our heart and is not tangible, but when accepted it becomes an overwhelming love(hence tangible). Although I guess if I can not stand some one and they try to love me, but my heart is so hard towards them, I will not feel that love. Mainly because I wont allow it. I would assume that God's love is very similiar, of course I can not comprehend it, but I think that example makes sense. The problem I take from here is I desire God's love and want to understand it. I am not ignoring it at all, so why dont I always feel it. Or am I too conditioned by my own ignorance to realize that I have temporarily shut God out?
Now for my remedy.....prayer? Today we are fasting and are in prayer for the youth group. I am definately going to pray that I begin to understand his love, feel his love, and pour his love into others. I need to listen to the Spirit and I know that all things are possible, including accepting his love.
Graham
p.s. Or maybe, I am so caught up in the "touchy, feely" aspect of faith.....I dont know guys. haha. I am confused.
Vs. 16 "He would grant you" describes how everything we get from God is undeserved and is a complete and utter blessing from him. Something that I often forget and take advantage of and take for granted. Right after those words he says "according to the riches of His glory." What a sweet way of describing God, his greatness, Paul used it earlier and I love it every time.
I could continue picking apart the verses simply and saying why I like them....but I wont. The thing I really took from these finishing verses in chapter 3 was the idea of God's love and power. Verse 19 says that his love surpasses knowledge. Which does'nt seem possible. I believe it, but it takes great faith. I sometimes wonder why I do not feel that great love all the time, I know that it is not God, its on me. The reason that I do not respect and recognize his love is my fault. How do I go about trying to understand, identify, feel and most importantly SHOW his great love.
I know when my parents for example show me love, I feel it. God's I think is more difficult....I think it can be tangible and not. Tangible in the sense that love from my parents is essentially from God. Or the random hug that I get from a friend is exactly what I need, a blessing from God. Or simply looking at the beauty of his creation that surrounds me, it shows how he gave me beauty to admire and have, his creation, made out of his love.
Do you think that his love can be not tangible. It sits at the door step to our heart and is not tangible, but when accepted it becomes an overwhelming love(hence tangible). Although I guess if I can not stand some one and they try to love me, but my heart is so hard towards them, I will not feel that love. Mainly because I wont allow it. I would assume that God's love is very similiar, of course I can not comprehend it, but I think that example makes sense. The problem I take from here is I desire God's love and want to understand it. I am not ignoring it at all, so why dont I always feel it. Or am I too conditioned by my own ignorance to realize that I have temporarily shut God out?
Now for my remedy.....prayer? Today we are fasting and are in prayer for the youth group. I am definately going to pray that I begin to understand his love, feel his love, and pour his love into others. I need to listen to the Spirit and I know that all things are possible, including accepting his love.
Graham
p.s. Or maybe, I am so caught up in the "touchy, feely" aspect of faith.....I dont know guys. haha. I am confused.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Ephesians 3: 7-14
Paul's amazement reflects much of my own, I think the level is probably different, but he voices what most believers if not all think.
"I became a servant of his gospel by the gift of God's grace given me though the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given."
Pauls understanding of how HUMAN he really is and imperfect in comparison to the Father is realistic and captivating. Pauls explanation here humbles me greatly, allowing me to realize my place in life and eternal life. No matter how confident I get, how well I do in sports, financially, socially, whatever, I should always be humble for these are all gifts from God and are blessings. I deserve none of them! Although God loves to reward and bless his people, creation, and it brings him happiness and praise when we recognize the simple fact that he is all. Some how I wish that this fact could always be in my mind in whatever I do in my day, all my days. Not only would everything be done with much passion, be with honor and glory to God. I am even thinking about the race that I just did - the moonlight run. I ran as hard as I could, and succeeded with a fairly good time. This success must be given to God, be thankful always for the blessings and gifts he gives me.
Oh, and later on, in verses 10-13, Paul talks about the wisdom of God being known to the heavenly realms. Im not quite sure what exactly he means. Im assuming that he is talking about God teaching and showing the angels??? about his "manifold wisdom". Maybe that makes sense, thats about the only thing I could get from it. If this is what it means, please elaborate on this and explain it to me.
Then 12-13 are some of the most heart felt verses I have read, they seem very personal to me. Paul is very honest, I can almost picture him writing this and the feelings behind these 2 verses. So pure.
Tonight at the o2 service we sang a song and the chorus went something like trust in the Lord, and then we sang hallelugah 4 times. If you guys know the name of this song, let me know. THanks.
"I became a servant of his gospel by the gift of God's grace given me though the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given."
Pauls understanding of how HUMAN he really is and imperfect in comparison to the Father is realistic and captivating. Pauls explanation here humbles me greatly, allowing me to realize my place in life and eternal life. No matter how confident I get, how well I do in sports, financially, socially, whatever, I should always be humble for these are all gifts from God and are blessings. I deserve none of them! Although God loves to reward and bless his people, creation, and it brings him happiness and praise when we recognize the simple fact that he is all. Some how I wish that this fact could always be in my mind in whatever I do in my day, all my days. Not only would everything be done with much passion, be with honor and glory to God. I am even thinking about the race that I just did - the moonlight run. I ran as hard as I could, and succeeded with a fairly good time. This success must be given to God, be thankful always for the blessings and gifts he gives me.
Oh, and later on, in verses 10-13, Paul talks about the wisdom of God being known to the heavenly realms. Im not quite sure what exactly he means. Im assuming that he is talking about God teaching and showing the angels??? about his "manifold wisdom". Maybe that makes sense, thats about the only thing I could get from it. If this is what it means, please elaborate on this and explain it to me.
Then 12-13 are some of the most heart felt verses I have read, they seem very personal to me. Paul is very honest, I can almost picture him writing this and the feelings behind these 2 verses. So pure.
Tonight at the o2 service we sang a song and the chorus went something like trust in the Lord, and then we sang hallelugah 4 times. If you guys know the name of this song, let me know. THanks.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Ephesians 3:1-6
Prison Break.
Well, not so much of a prison break...mainly just imprisonment. Anyways, I was reading the text below (NIV study bible) and it says that this letter is written when Paul was in jail. I didnt know he wrote this in jail until now. Anyways, the text is interesting, but I pretty much cant get over the fact that he was in jail. I guess it makes me think of all the missionaries in the past, present and in the future that will be imprisoned, tortured, etc for serving Christ. I reflect on a missionary that came to briercrest - Dave Block. One of the most incredible men I have ever met. He is a missionary in the middle east, serving God in muslim countries. His testimony and testimony of others blows my mind as their faith is tested daily.
I regretably have no idea what it means to have my faith tested in such a way, to truly honestly NEED God for survivor and safety. Of course I need God, but I can support myself financially, I am allowed to worship him freely, and I have lots of wants that get met as well. But to wake up in the morning and pray that I will not get sent to prison or murdered for praising God is a whole different scenerio. Im jealous, big time! Afraid out of my mind when I think of it, but most definately jealous. These are things I need to personally pray about, for the people currently dealing with this, and pray myself that I may one day know God that way. Experience him that way.....maybe I just have to leave North America for a bit, or forever. haha, who knows.
Regardless, props to Paul!
p.s. read the comment on my last post. some wierd dude commented.
Well, not so much of a prison break...mainly just imprisonment. Anyways, I was reading the text below (NIV study bible) and it says that this letter is written when Paul was in jail. I didnt know he wrote this in jail until now. Anyways, the text is interesting, but I pretty much cant get over the fact that he was in jail. I guess it makes me think of all the missionaries in the past, present and in the future that will be imprisoned, tortured, etc for serving Christ. I reflect on a missionary that came to briercrest - Dave Block. One of the most incredible men I have ever met. He is a missionary in the middle east, serving God in muslim countries. His testimony and testimony of others blows my mind as their faith is tested daily.
I regretably have no idea what it means to have my faith tested in such a way, to truly honestly NEED God for survivor and safety. Of course I need God, but I can support myself financially, I am allowed to worship him freely, and I have lots of wants that get met as well. But to wake up in the morning and pray that I will not get sent to prison or murdered for praising God is a whole different scenerio. Im jealous, big time! Afraid out of my mind when I think of it, but most definately jealous. These are things I need to personally pray about, for the people currently dealing with this, and pray myself that I may one day know God that way. Experience him that way.....maybe I just have to leave North America for a bit, or forever. haha, who knows.
Regardless, props to Paul!
p.s. read the comment on my last post. some wierd dude commented.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Ephesians 2:11-22
One in Christ
I always enjoy reading verses that talk about the body of Christ and being one in him. United under one King, a Holy King, the firmest foundation possible. I never really understood the true importance of this until attending briercrest, which was hammered into my brain every class by every prof. Why did they hammer that into every students head? I believe its because faith is not one of simplicity. It is difficult not only to understand from a human perspective, but we have pressures from society and from Satan. To try and battle this all alone is nearly impossible, that is why the prof 's enforced the idea that we are a team, lets work as one, worship and love as one. The idea is honestly beautiful.
I underlined a couple of verses from this section in Ephesians 2. Verses12-13 "...foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."
It says here that before one knows God they are without hope. Do you guys think that this means there is no hope at all, all hope that one has before finding God is false hope. It must, but I am just wondering about the ones in the world who are searching for Christ, do not know him yet, have hope that there is more, is that an honest true hope. Or is that a human hope, until the day that he finds the Lord, and that hope is transformed into a hope that is fulfilled.
Hope from a believers heart a form of worship......?
Anyways, I was just thinking about that for a bit.
The next verse that stood out to me was vs.18, "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
I really love this verse and how it describes the trinity. We all know the theological idea of the trinity and that it is composed of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. But I just really enjoy how this is so simple and well said. "For through him" Jesus Christ dieing on the cross, "we both" Jews and Gentiles at the time, and all of humanity today, "have access to the Father by one Spirit." I hope I am interpreting this the correct way, because if I am I really think it is brilliant. Jesus died, giving us the possibility to know our God and creator, and this is done through the Holy Ghost, the "spirit", which dwells in all believers.
I recently saw the new movie 300, and after the movie you just wanna join an army as one and take down any enemy in your path. A huge theme in the movie, is that they fight and die as one. Vs. 21 reminded me of the movie and got me pumped up. "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." I pictured some dude in like the end times or something sweet like that standing on a huge rock with a huge crowd below watching. He yells out this verse and the crowd goes wild!
One thing that I should realize in myself is that I have now understood in my past years how important the body of Christ is. I really need to pour that idea on the ones I care about, such as my small group guys. Speak it and show it - Kahoots!
Sorry for this being so long.
Graham Reimer
I always enjoy reading verses that talk about the body of Christ and being one in him. United under one King, a Holy King, the firmest foundation possible. I never really understood the true importance of this until attending briercrest, which was hammered into my brain every class by every prof. Why did they hammer that into every students head? I believe its because faith is not one of simplicity. It is difficult not only to understand from a human perspective, but we have pressures from society and from Satan. To try and battle this all alone is nearly impossible, that is why the prof 's enforced the idea that we are a team, lets work as one, worship and love as one. The idea is honestly beautiful.
I underlined a couple of verses from this section in Ephesians 2. Verses12-13 "...foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."
It says here that before one knows God they are without hope. Do you guys think that this means there is no hope at all, all hope that one has before finding God is false hope. It must, but I am just wondering about the ones in the world who are searching for Christ, do not know him yet, have hope that there is more, is that an honest true hope. Or is that a human hope, until the day that he finds the Lord, and that hope is transformed into a hope that is fulfilled.
Hope from a believers heart a form of worship......?
Anyways, I was just thinking about that for a bit.
The next verse that stood out to me was vs.18, "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
I really love this verse and how it describes the trinity. We all know the theological idea of the trinity and that it is composed of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. But I just really enjoy how this is so simple and well said. "For through him" Jesus Christ dieing on the cross, "we both" Jews and Gentiles at the time, and all of humanity today, "have access to the Father by one Spirit." I hope I am interpreting this the correct way, because if I am I really think it is brilliant. Jesus died, giving us the possibility to know our God and creator, and this is done through the Holy Ghost, the "spirit", which dwells in all believers.
I recently saw the new movie 300, and after the movie you just wanna join an army as one and take down any enemy in your path. A huge theme in the movie, is that they fight and die as one. Vs. 21 reminded me of the movie and got me pumped up. "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." I pictured some dude in like the end times or something sweet like that standing on a huge rock with a huge crowd below watching. He yells out this verse and the crowd goes wild!
One thing that I should realize in myself is that I have now understood in my past years how important the body of Christ is. I really need to pour that idea on the ones I care about, such as my small group guys. Speak it and show it - Kahoots!
Sorry for this being so long.
Graham Reimer
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