Ease off on my measure of others

Ephesians 5: ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

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“Oh no, they won’t let me in heaven” I thought to myself as I read this passage.  I mean I have experienced all that was written here. I wanted to rewrite the Bible and take the words “even a hint” out. What this is saying is I can’t get full of myself and look down on what someone else is doing.

Television, magazines and billboards promote sex, greed and lust that I easily fall into. Who can save me from GOD’s wrath?

 

• Sensuality is a weapon against me to lure me away from focusing on GOD.
• Greed is a weapon that enables me to fear losing money causing me to doubt GOD’s power.
• Obscene, foolish talk and coarse joking helps me fit in but wastes my time when I could be focused on growing myself or someone else.

It seems hopeless doesn’t it?  I mean isn’t everyone a little lustful or greedy or envious? Not everyone! JESUS volunteered to become a human and was tempted in every way. HE lived years and years without committing a sin and people who attended church regularly murdered HIM because HE told them about their lust and greed and they didn’t listen.

• GOD wants me to work at being pure because the SON forgave me for my impurity.
• GOD wants me to work on being generous because the SON forgave me for my greed.
• GOD wants me to work on being an encourager because the SON forgave me for my foul, coarse joking.

Instead of comparing myself to others I must read what GOD says about me.  HE doesn’t expect me to be perfect nor do I have to die for the sins of mankind, but the more I can focus on following what GOD wants me to, the more HE will reward me.

• Are you caught up in sexual immorality?
• Do you desire more stuff?
• Are you nervous about losing you stuff?
• Are you trying to fit in with the wrong group?
• Won’t you give up some of these things little by little and focus on GOD?

GOD said to say “You are wonderful!”

Ephesians 4: ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Part of me was bored and another part of me was tired of being pushed around so I joined a gym. After a couple of years of lifting weights I was transformed from scrawny to sculpted.  I could now hang with the fellas, talk about women’s body parts and dare people to pick a fight with me. I had finally arrived or did I?

• My unwholesome talk tears people down for my own gain.
• My rage and anger repels people from GOD instead of drawing them to HIM.
• My brawling and slander makes me look to pick fights instead of seeking peace.
• My malicious behavior causes me to hate the sinner and enjoy my sins.

I actually thought some people were pitiful and it was their fault for being scrawny. I mean look at me… I changed, so can you. Pull yourself up and get going. BUT GOD wanted me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to encourage people instead of tearing them down.
• GOD wants me to be compassionate with others instead of writing them off.
• GOD wants me to forgive people because HE forgave me.

GOD definitely doesn’t want me to become a jerk. It’s through HIS love that HE draws people to HIMSELF.  HE transformed my heart to show compassion and HE enables me to say “You are wonderful” to people who need encouragement.

• Are you fighting with someone?
• Do you have a need to win that argument?
• Are you feeling a little down about yourself?
• Do you believe you are wonderful because when GOD made you HE declared it?

Who is worthy of my presence?

Ephesians 4: ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

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My tolerance for nonsense started shrinking when I saw people pouting over who won an award in our department. On one side the lack of congratulations disgusted me and on the other the choice of a buddy to receive the award made me ill. “Just wait until I become the boss, I am going to fire all these people” I thought to myself.

• When I have rage I handle people harshly.
• When I want something my anxiety makes me impatient towards others.
• When I feel I know more than others I judge them and usually cause dissension.

I can usually tell when I am not acting like GOD wants me to. Major groups of people start falling off my radar and my circle shrinks more and more. After a while I am only touching who “I” consider worthy of my presence. Usually I can justify my actions because “they” are acting ugly and I am not, right? Wrong!

• GOD wants me to be completely humble and gentle towards people, even those who are harsh to me.
• GOD wants me to be patient with people especially those who I mistake for slow and weak.
• GOD wants me to bear with others in love in hopes that they will see the love GOD has for me.

There is one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and FATHER of all and HE wants me to act in unity with all HE sends to me. When I judge too harshly or use my blunt, crass approach I notice HE stops sending people my way.  Yes the Bible says correct people but it says do it “in love.”

I must put the person over the sin they are doing. In other words I have to make every effort to see “each” person as GOD sees them.

• Are you better than “those” people?
• Are “they” not following GOD like you are following HIM?
• Are you judging others by what they are doing?
• Have you examined yourself and judged yourself by your own measure?

Another prayer for you

Ephesians 3: ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

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• I pray that we understand GOD has grace that covers any sin, past and present.
• I pray that those who doubt can focus their attention on what GOD is doing rather than the current situation.
• I pray about those who are worried about finances that they may focus on GOD’s riches and believe HE is in control of the situation.
• I pray for fortitude in our beings that we may persevere through life’s difficulties.

I pray that all who read this know just how much GOD really loves them. amen

HE is building me.

Ephesians 2: ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

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My parents told me I couldn’t go outside that day. “I can’t wait to grow up” I said to myself. My professor said I need to study more in his class. “I can’t wait to be done with college” I said to myself. My boss chose some crazy direction to go in. “I can’t wait to become the boss” I said to myself. After achieving all those things I am still waiting. When will it ever stop?

• Life has difficult moments and sometimes I feel like giving up.
• Life has struggles and sometimes I just want it to be easy.
• Life has pain and problems and sometimes I just want peace.

Why do I have to go “through” problems? I mean can’t GOD just zap my problems away and make everything wonderful? So far, in my life it hasn’t worked that way.

• GOD uses every situation to build me and grow me.
• GOD uses every circumstance to guide me and lead me.
• GOD uses every incident to mold me and shape me.

GOD has a plan specifically for me that includes trials and tribulations, kind of like a personal trainer creates a fitness plan to make a person stronger.  Every bump I face in life makes me stronger and I can proclaim HIS name a little louder each time.

When someone looks at me like I have it all together I can share with them that I am a mess and HE isn’t finished building me yet.

• Are you tired of the struggle?
• Do you think you are being punished or polished?
• Can you accept GOD’s love and realize HE has a great and wonderful plan for you?
• Can you stop thinking you can “arrive” and focus on HIS love for you?

I was made for this!

Ephesians 2: ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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Lying, cheating and stealing is where I found myself at one point in my life.  I mean it was harmless to say “fine” when in reality I was hurting inside so I wasn’t really lying right? Also I was working to pay for college so I didn’t have time to really write “that” paper so I asked someone to do it for me but that isn’t really cheating right?

And the company I worked for made billions so they expect for me to copy flyers at work and staple books together. It was for a “good cause” so they won’t mind and that’s not stealing right?

• No matter how good my intentions are my sin bubbles out of me.
• No matter how I try to hide my sins GOD can still see what I am doing.
• No matter how much I try to justify my actions I am still responsible for my sins.

One day I sat in my apartment and I looked at my life.  I was used to “stretching” the truth to get my way or stay out of trouble. I was used to “taking short cuts” in lieu of doing the work. I was used to getting some service for free otherwise known as “the hook up.” Where was I? Was I made for this? NO!

• GOD saved me in the middle of my sin because of HIS grace.
• GOD saved me to do “good works.”
• GOD saved me as a gift to me and doesn’t want me to waste HIS gift of grace.

Good works do not save me rather I was made for GOD’s good works. HIS grace and mercy makes me look at “my” life rather than looking at others and I definitely see I am not worthy of HIS grace but I accept HIS gift wholeheartedly. I can celebrate with others by doing good works instead of complaining about what people are saying or doing.

I can tell people about the love of GOD’s SON, JESUS who saved any who believe. That’s what I was made for!

• Where are you?
• What sin is holding you back from doing GOD’s “good works?”
• Do you believe in GOD’s grace for you or are you trying to work for HIS favor?
• Won’t you celebrate HIS grace by forgetting your sin and focusing others on HIS love?

My prayer for you

Ephesians 1: ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…

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• I also pray that the thing that clouds your view of GOD be reduced today.
• I hope the person you are toiling over can hear what GOD has to say.
• I pray the ailment not control you so you can still find HIS peace.
• I pray the job situation not deter you from praising HIM.
• I hope you find blessing today and you know where it comes from.

I pray for GOD’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding for only in HIM can we live.