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Regenerating Grace

14 Oct

“So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.” Ephesians 4:17-19 

Day to day life can seem like a simple “cruise control” event until we get up, out of bed, and look it directly in the face. Last night’s dishes are still in the sink (too tired), and the refrigerator was emptied of the breakfast meal by a hungry midnight snacker. Deep Breath. 

We begin our days with great expectations and realize that all things change! Some we have control over, some we don’t. Frustration only brings more frustration and coming to a common ground of grace is much more difficult than anticipated. 

When Paul wrote the book of Ephesians he keyed in on the human mind and how once committed mindsets were easily swayed and drawn toward human pleasure rather than to the committed promises of serving the Lord in Holiness. Paul charged the church of Ephesus with the call to Profess the Gospel and help their families and the people of Ephesus find a new life of righteousness and holiness. 

I suspect that they did go to the people of Ephesus with full intentions of helping them find the true life of a believer in Christ. I suspect that their intentions were consumed by the attractiveness of the lifestyle of the people and their intentions to help the people turned into their becoming more like those they were there to profess the gospel too. It was a slow falling away. One little “it won’t make a difference if I” moment, to a “nothing happened when I did the last thing,“ to a complete and unrecoverable fall. 

People started out fully committed to serving the Lord, to teach and be an example to the people of Ephesus by walking out scriptural truths and moral purity. Then, one “little” misdeed turned to daily misdeeds and the “Lord’s chosen” began to act like those very people they were sent to pull away from indecent and impure behaviors. They took on the behaviors of the people of darkness, those blinded by ignorance, walking in lewdness, impurity, and sexual sin. Instead of rising above and helping the lost, they fell deep into their pit and became like those they were sent to save. 

We see it in the church today! We see it in our homes. We see it on the streets. The news stories almost revel in telling  of dedicated people of faith falling into the very things they preach and teach against. Proverbs 14:12 warns them of that very trap, “There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.”  Yet, in those moments of “pleasure” they lose their way and their righteous walk. Their “day to day” faith filled walk took a deadly turn of unexpected distance from the Father. They became blinded by the lure of sin and the appearance of the joyous life that tore them from the hands of God. 

It didn’t happen all at once, it was a slow transition. An “attractive” move into worldliness. Like the the midnight refrigerator raider who didn’t consider anyone other than themselves by eating what was meant for the family for breakfast. It was an “I don’t care” attitude toward the graces and love of others, and of the Father. 

How do we help them get back to the New Man, the New Creation, and live by the New Principles set out by the scriptures of truth? How do we help them regenerate grace and righteousness and right living? We walk with them all the way back to the beginning! All the way back to when they first heard the voice of their Father and wanted nothing more than to please Him and care for His earthly children. We have to walk with them until they know how much they are loved and how their love towards others will change them. We have to take them back to the beginning when they first met Jesus and spoke their acceptance of Him as their Lord and Savior. We have to take them back.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 8

By Linda J. Humes, Written 8-25-25

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Fitly Joined Together

15 Apr

“From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16 NASB

Did you ever feel like an odd one out? You didn’t feel like you fit in anywhere? Everyone else seemed to have it together and you had absolutely no clue what your life was about or where you were supposed to go with it? Other people found groups to join, friends to share with, a concentrated purpose to pursue, and you sat, at a distance, watching, trying to figure out why you didn’t or couldn’t join in. Even those few times when you did attend an event, or party, or interest group, you felt so out of place, distancing yourself, sneaking away. I was that kid! I was that teenager! I was that adult.

Walking past insecurities takes support, guidance, and a gentle hand. Having the desire to teach and share all that I had learned through time with the Holy Spirit in Prayer and Study was a strong drive. How? My desire to teach became greater than my fears. That desire could have hidden away many more years, but God placed a network of people in positions that brought strength to the church and to those who wanted to help that church grow and become all that God intended it to be. People believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. It took a strong Pastor who simply said “I want YOU to do this. I want you to teach me so that I can teach the body.” 

As the Pastor walked away I remember the inner conversations that battled in my mind. “I can’t do this Lord. I am a new believer. How could I learn a scripture, subject or concept well enough to teach the pastor so that he could teach the body?” The reply came loudly and clearly – “I Will Teach You.”

When God plants the building of a church in the hearts of men He sets those people in positions to draw the most out of everyone involved. They become a living organism. They encourage, lift up, pray for and prefer one another over themselves. They see in others what those others cannot see in themselves. All of the people fitly joined together, a smooth running machine, oiled by Grace, powered by prayer, and guided by God. 

God’s “synergy” always amazes me. He births gifts and callings into babies, before they are even born. He guides them in those skills and places mentors in their lives to help them grow.  He moves people around and gets them into the perfect position of ministering together. Brainstorming. Creating a vision together. Birthing a church. Then drawing those people in that God has been preparing to carry the armor and shield. An intricately working Holy Ghost Machine!! 

I didn’t think I could do it, but I did!! God taught me and helped me find the right people to guide my steps to stay on task. Has God been speaking to you about something He needs you to step into? Are you ignoring it as “impossible” and not taking the challenge. Are you afraid that you might fail? Dear one, you will always fail the challenges you don’t try. But, what if you succeed? What if something you say, or sing, or preach, or teach, touches the heart of someone and their life is forever changed? What if . . . . ?

Step forward. God says “I Will Teach You!” What an amazingly wonderful gift.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 7

By Linda J Humes – Written 4-12-2025

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Faith Beginnings

9 Mar

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,”      Ephesians 4:14-15

I will never forget the day a friend asked me if I wanted to go to a faith Crusade. I hadn’t gone to church since I was a child and didn’t know where to start looking for a church that I thought I would fit into. So many different churches to choose from and I had no idea what any of them believed in. I trusted my friend and that night my entire life changed. 

My immediate family weren’t church goers, but I knew that my aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family were. When my brother and I were in grade school we would walk to a little church a few blocks away from our home. It was okay for a little while, but then, one Sunday, something happened in the classroom that scared us and we never went back again. Even though we were afraid of going back to a church, I always felt a connection to Jesus, I just didn’t understand what it was all about.

That day, the day that I went to the Crusade and gave my heart and soul to Jesus, everything began to change. Things in my life started to make sense. What a joyous moment that changed my life into an unbelievable faith walk of trust, joy and peace.  But in those beginning moments of my walk of faith I was not expecting the challenges of becoming a new believer. Thankfully, I grew through that season to a person of confidence and understanding.

Becoming a new believer comes with a whole list of feelings, rules, expectations, self regulations, and so much more that I was very confused about. Eph 4:14 talks about how we are “no longer children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine”. We start out only understanding how to ask Jesus into our heart and then comes the overwhelming amount of scriptures, church denominations, church doctrines, what to wear, what not to wear, earrings or no earrings, dresses or pants, shoes that hide your feet or shoes that let your toes show – and that whole long hair – short hair issue.  **sigh**  In what chapter and verse does the Bible explain it all?!?!?! Is this part of becoming Holy???

I was working on a painting a bit ago and it reminded me of the importance of negative space, and how that can apply to us in all aspects of our lives. As I started thinking about the church and the dynamics of the Pastors, seasoned believers and the new believers I wondered if sometimes we don’t recognize the new believers because of their hesitancy to speak to anyone, sit towards the front, or make themselves recognizable. They fell into the negative space. They are there but not recognized, staying quiet and to the back.  Are they just “someone” there that we expect to grow on their own and make a way out of the confusion into wisdom? Do we see them being “tossed here and there” in complete confusion? Do we realize that they may have left the church without our recognizing it because they didn’t know what to do and felt as if they didn’t belong?? Hard questions. 

Father, I pray that when someone feels their call to come to You that we will make them a priority. Father, help us to bond with them, pray with them, make them a part of what the church is all about – an integral part. Help us help them feel like they belong to this wonderful family of Christ; growing, moving, every present. Father, help us to be the family who helps them feel Your precious love, as well as the love of Your children, firmly rooted and grounded in Your Holy Word. Nurtured. Guided. Taught. Prepared. Ready to receive the gifts that the Holy Spirit is holding for them to request.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 6

By Linda J Humes 3-7-25

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Make Us One, Lord!

28 Jan

And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NASB

When I first dedicated my life to the Lord and began studying I wondered how long it would take me to start making sense of my Bible. Everything seemed so complicated, and the King James Version Language had a whole learning curve of its own. Everyone around me in the classes and services seemed to have it all figured out. I was truly at a loss. Little by little things became clearer and the scriptures started to come alive. The detailed stories of the Old Testament and the promises and journeys of the New Testament. Bible reading first thing in the morning, Bible reading last thing at night, and pondering it all during the day.

How did I fit in??

I remember when I first read Ephesians 4 and all that it teaches about the”Business Management” of the church, so to speak, I was in awe of the thought of how it all worked and how “special” those people must be for God to choose them to lead. I was convinced that they had to be very spiritual, anointed and wise to be placed in those positions. I never, ever thought that I could measure up to any position in the church. Clearly, it was for the favored of God!

I loved the scriptures and God’s presence so much that I studied, studied, studied. Hours every day. I quit my full time job and found work that I could do in my home so that I could spend the entire day and part of the evenings studying. When I wasn’t studying I was praying. I wanted to get closer and closer to understanding everything about the scriptures and the nature of God. I wanted to know where I fit in this mighty Kingdom of God.

I remember people talking about the 5 fold ministry. Apostle. Prophet. Evangelist. Pastor. Teacher. Each with their own specific duties to bring the perfect message to the Kingdom of God. I needed to find out what that was all about.

The Apostle is to Govern the church, be the visionary for growth and balance. He is the envoy, the one commissioned to go forth as a representative of a body with a specific mission planted in his spirit by God.

The Prophet is to hear the voice of God and guide the other 4 ministers in what they are being called to do in that particular season. The prophet is one who speaks forth, is divinely inspired to communicate with God’s will and give that message to others. They are seen as God’s spokespersons, delivering warnings, guidance or revelation. Sometimes they foretell future events or provide insight into God’s plans and purposes.

The Evangelist is to gather people into the church through powerful messages and direction. The Evangelist is a missionary, a bearer of good tidings, a herald of the Gospel. The Evangelist is someone specially gifted and called to spread the message of salvation through Jesus. The Evangelist directs them toward the Church and the body who can lift the people up and help them understand the place they have in the Kingdom.

The Pastor is the Shepherd, He is the feeder, protector, and ruler of the flock. He cares for those who come into the church and keeps the day to day workings of the church running smoothly. He is the presiding officer, manager, director, overseer and Head of the Church.

The Teacher works throughout the week, preparing lesson plans and bringing the Gospel to the body in a format that is accurate and easily understood. The Teacher is an instructor of the divine truth of the Scriptures, teaching spiritual and doctrinal concepts.

Each function of the 5 fold ministry is critical and equally important! Each function is like the gears in a watch, all of the gears are needed for the clock to show accurate time. But – what about the rest of the verse???? “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” Who are the Saints and what is their function?? And who are the Body and what is their function?

The concordance says that the Saints are holy, set apart, for a special religious or spiritual purpose. Were they the Disciples?? The concordance says that the Disciples are followers who most commonly learned from the teachers. Disciples follow a teacher or philosopher to learn their teachings and way of life. Or were the Disciples the Body??

The concordance says that the original meaning of the word Body was to save or preserve. Taken metaphorically it could indicate the Saved Ones or the Preserved Ones. Saved by Grace!! Preserved for God the Father’s use in the Kingdom, perhaps to, one day, become an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or a Teacher!!

Therein still remains the question – where do I fit? Which cubicle do I fit into?? If I am part of the Body then I can aspire to be a Disciple! If I am a Disciple I can aspire to be a Saint! If I am a Saint I can aspire to be a Teacher! I can aspire to be a Pastor. I can aspire to be an Evangelist. I can listen for the voice of God and see if I am called to be a Prophet or an Apostle. I am a part of the BODY of God! That’s where I fit. There are so many opportunities for growth and so much honor to be chosen for ascension. That’s where YOU fit too. We are the Body – we are Kingdom Disciples. We Are One!!!

Through all of that study and dividing and interpreting there is really only one thing that is important, one place where we all fit, one place where we are all equal! We are, first and foremost, a Child of God – and that is priceless.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 5

By Linda J. Humes – 1-25-2025

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THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS

19 Dec

“Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.”  Ephesians 4:9-10

Many years ago I visited a cavern in Arkansas. I had never been in a deep cavern before, just a few shallow caves where I was never more than 8 feet from the opening. This was very different.

I remember that cavern for many different reasons, and I’m not exactly sure why. I remember the path around the outside that we were instructed to walk single-file on and not veer from. I remember how damp it was and that I could hear the dripping of water from all around. I remember that it was dim inside and that at one point they turned out all of the lights. I remember that just for a moment I started to panic because it wasn’t just dark, it was pitch dark and you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. I remember reaching to my husband standing in front of me, assuring myself that I was not alone. When the lights came I saw the stalactites above, the stalagmites below, the narrow path along the wall, the line of people, and I felt a peace I didn’t really understand.  

It was an interesting experience. I’m glad that I went inside and I saw, or didn’t see, the depths of the cave and the way it seemed to be untouched by anything happening in the outside world. I remember wondering what other things were hidden, untouched, beautiful, dangerous, unexplainable, but right there in the depths of the earth.

Over the last year I have heard God speak to me “Go Deeper!” “Go Deeper.” I have studied and prayed for hours every day. “Go Deeper.”

From the annals of time God has called His people to go deeper. When they couldn’t hear or understand what He meant He set them in circumstances that they could not ignore. 

  • Moses with the burning bush. 
  • Aaron with his rod. 
  • Marian in her dance. 
  • David with his Lyre, his jaw bone, his spear, his 3 smooth stones. 
  • Samuel being called in the night. 
  • Elisha with his fire called down from Heaven. 
  • Jonah in the depths of the water, in the belly of a whale. 
  • Noah building the first ship in a country that had never experienced rain. 
  • Esther, who called the Jewish people to prayer and fasting to save the nation. 
  • Deborah, made a judge and called as a prophet to instruct an army, at a time when women held no value. 
  • Daniel, with faith to disobey a king, tossed into a pit filled with lions, to honor God, and God honored him. 
  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thrown into a fire for dishonoring a king and refusing to dishonor God. Walking out without a scorch or smokey smell. 
  • You and me . . . . . . . . . . . . . ??

Jesus, God the Son, sent to earth as a baby to bring salvation to all people. Jesus, crucified. Jesus, who walked again with his disciples for 40 days after He resurrected, so that they might understand and never doubt again! Jesus, descended into hades, took the Keys to death and hell, then ascended to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus.

Why??

“So that He might fill all things.” So that the perfect will of God would be completed! So that all of the prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament would be fulfilled. So that all of the scriptures of the New Testament would be walked out and completed. So that Satan would lose all power over death. So that all of the human race could find salvation and a life of eternity with God, in Heavenly places! That everything would be Filled with Him!!! 

All we have to do is ask – and obey!

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 4

By Linda J Humes – Written 12-7-24

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The Gift of Christ

2 Oct

But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:7-8

In America gifts are a big thing – Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduations, and so many others. As heartfelt as each of these gifts are they are often discarded, given away, or tossed out with time. Few remain as treasured heirlooms as cultures and tastes change. They are temporal.

My favorite gifts as a mom have come in a HUG, an “I LOVE YOU,” a smile, and a prayer. The blessings of love, deep from the heart. More precious than gold. My gifts came in chubby little fists from the front yard or a neighboring field – a dandelion, flowering weed, beautiful rock, a regifted toy car or a project made in school or Sunday school. Treasures of love, spilling over with pride. I still have nearly all of them! These are treasures from my family, but there are Gifts more precious, more valuable, that never fade with memory or time, they are eternal! These are the Gifts of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-8).

Each and every person who has received Jesus into their heart receives what are called Salvation Gifts. These are gifts from the Father for our individual lives, specifically designed for each person and the life they have lived. God gives each and every confessed believer: Access to Him, Adoption into the Kingdom, a Free Basic Life, a Church Family, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Healing, Heaven, Hope, Joy, Mercy, Motivation to do more, Peace, Power, Prayer, Purpose, Salvation, Sanctification, Separation from the world, a place to Serve, Sonship, Subjection to the benefits of the Kingdom, and Understanding of the Suffering of Christ. These aren’t earned gifts, these are freely given to every believer.

As wonderful as these gifts are they are only the beginning of what each believer can receive, if they choose to go further in their walk with Christ. Each and every person, whether they become a believer or not, have been called from birth to a Spiritual Gift and a Calling in the Kingdom, it is their choice whether they will accept Jesus and receive the Gifts and Callings awaiting them, working towards the skills necessary to receive them.

The gifts that follow the Salvation Gifts are received when we begin walking out our faith as requested by The Father. As we grow and understand our belonging in the Body of Christ we find ourselves living out the Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness, Forbearance, Gentleness, Goodness, Joy, Kindness, Love, Peace, and Self-Control (Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:16). We find our lives are being molded by the examples God gave to each an every one of us and we “gentle” in our thoughts and behaviors. As we walk out the Fruits of the Spirit we see a difference in how we perceive things, how we interface with others, a calm enters our lives and the strife of daily life seems to dissipate (Ephesians 4:1-6, Jeremiah 29:11).

If a believer chooses to go deeper into the study of God in their faith walk, and they choose to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, they may receive one or more of the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These are assigned by God to individuals based upon the depth of their faith and their specific abilities to handle those powerful gifts and accomplish the assignment they are given for each individual they are sent to, when that individual is needing a specific deep touch of the Holy Sprit. There are 3 aspects of these 9 gifts, the Revelation Gifts, the Power Gifts, and the Inspiration Gifts. Within these Gifts are the Gift of Discerning of the Spirits (R), the Gift of Faith (P), the Gift of Tongues (I), the Gift of Healing (P), the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues (I), the Gift of Knowledge (R), the Gift of Prophecy (I), the Gift of Wisdom (R), and the Gift of Working of Miracles (P). These Gifts are given to a chosen group of people, not for their own benefit, but to help build up other church members when they in times of illness, turmoil and confusion.

Some believers are given the gift of a specific Calling, ordained before their birth, by God the Father. These are those called to the 5 fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11). These are those who will become: Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Prophets, and Teachers. These ordinations require deep study specifically in the arena of the ministries that they have been called to. The believer working towards this area of ministry must have a the strength, determination, and abilities fitted to the particular position they are working towards. These positions require the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are the deepest Gifts and Callings of the body of the Church.

There are Gifts known as Callings. Positions that God has been preparing us to receive all of our lives, even though we may not have recognized them. Callings are positions in the church that meet the needs of every area of the church and the people of the community that the church witnesses too. These are the back-up support positions for the 5 Fold Ministry and serve as a critical foundation for all the 5 Fold Ministry is called to do. This could be a training arena for those who are called to the 5 Fold Ministry, but haven’t had the hands on experience to take a fulltime position. These Callings/Gifts include: Administrations, Apostleship, Celibacy, Charity, Craftsmanship, Evangelism, Exhortation, Giving, Hospitality, Intercession, Leadership, Martyrdom, Pastorship, Prophetic, Serving, Special Graces, Spiritual Writing, Teaching, and Witnessing.

What God has given to each and every believer, the Gifts of Christ, are gifts that give and give and give, becoming more and more valuable each day. They aren’t gifts that we keep, they are gifts that we give away through our every day workings in the body of the church. They aren’t tangible gifts, they are Spiritual gifts, sent through us to a specific person for a specific time and place, to encourage and enable them to take these particular gifts forward to another. Building up each other along the way (Romans 12:4).

These are Anointed gifts of Life, and Breath, and Hope, and Peace, and a Spiritual Assignment in the body and family of God. These are precious gifts that never deteriorate, never go out of style, never diminish or fade. These are gifts assigned by the Holy Spirit as we mature in our faith in Christ, given to us to help others receive their gifts and assignments “all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:11). All Gifts and Callings, working together through the Holy Spirit, each person given a specific role, if they will receive it, to accomplish the works of God on this earth (Romans 11:29).

Pray to hear God’s Gifts and Callings for your life. Meet with your Pastor or Church Counselor to begin the steps of preparation for where God has called you to. Are you ready? Your Gifts are awaiting! (Isaiah 6:8-9, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 2 Peter 1:10)

The Damascus Road – A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-27-2023

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Exceedingly Abundantly Above

3 Sep

abundantly

“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, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”      Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Imagine something, anything, the biggest imagine that you have ever imagined.  God can do it.  In fact, God can do Exceedingly (“exceedingly; very; greatly; highly”), Abundantly (“an exceeding measure, something above the ordinary”), Above (“of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative superior to, more than”) anything that you can possibly imagine.  That’s huge!!

When I think about that, “Exceedingly Abundantly Above All That We Ask or Think,” I wonder how often we limit God in our prayers.  Our prayers are our direct connection to the Father, our personal relationship with Him, and how often are we holding back (Philippians 4:6)?  How often do we think, “Well, there are others who need His help more,” or “I don’t want to bother Him with something so small or trivial,” or “I’m not worthy of His personal attention.”  If that were the case why would this scripture be in the Bible for us to read and meditate on (1 Peter 5:7).  What if Hezekiah had decided that his desires weren’t worth of prayer (Isaiah 38:5), he would have missed out on 15 amazing years of life.

Can you imagine how spiritually powerful we would be if we addressed every need we have with this passage (James 5:16)?  Every prayer we send forward would reach the throne of God with power and confidence and expectancy.  Imagine the pleasure of the Father knowing that His children are stepping into His will and His realm to attack and issue that He can easily address (Matthew 21:22).

I remember hearing a story where a Pastor in Africa was praying for a Bicycle.  He prayed and prayed but nothing happened.  One day in prayer he asked God why his prayer had not been answered.  He heard God say, “You haven’t told me what kind you want.”  The Pastor then became very specific in the model and style and color of the bike he wanted, thinking previously that it was brash to be so specific.  Within a week God had put this Pastor on the heart of someone who bought the exact make, model and color that the Pastor had asked God for, including a basket on the front and a bell on the handlebars!!

God could have sent a rusty old bike that still worked, but He wanted to ”abundantly exceedingly above” bless the Pastor.  He was waiting for the Pastor to recognize that God was big enough for specifics.  He wanted the Pastor to believe that he was loved beyond measure.

Do we limit God?  Do we only ask for the minimal, expecting to receive just the basics of what we need?  Do we believe that God loves us more than we can even imagine and wants to bless us with the desires of our heart, not just the needs of the day (Psalm 37:4)?  Do we believe the promises of the Bible are for other people, important people, strong people of faith, but not a simple believer?

Scripture says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and if you don’t know how to pray for your specific need, to pray in the spirit and your requests will reach the Father (Romans 8:26-27).

Put Him to the test.  Pray with a humble heart and watch God bring you more than you could have ever imagined.  It is for you.  It is for today.  “To Him Be The Glory.”  Amen!

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 8

Written by Linda J Humes

12/19/2016

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Grounded In Love

2 Sep

love

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19 (ASV)

To fully understand the depth of the love of God is probably one of the most difficult things for a Christian, or anyone for that matter.  We sing songs of how He loves us, read scriptures about His love and stand on the promises of His love and compassion for us, but we really don’t understand the depth.  How can we?  How can we know a love so deep, so pure, or intense, that God sent His son to earth to teach us His perfect ways, knowing full well that His son would be tortured and killed?  Not just “killed,” but stripped naked, forced to carry His own device of death through crowds of angry, screaming people, put up on a cross on the hill called Golgatha, and left in the sun to die a death that we cannot even imagine the pain of.  God did that for us.  He did that for me.

I often tell my children that I love them more than they can understand or will understand until they have children of their own.  There is a depth of love between a parent, especially a mother, and a child, that can’t be explained in words – but I don’t think that I could love a group of people enough to take one of my children and commit them to torture and death so that the others could live.  Could you?  God did.

Scripture says that God knew us before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).  He knew the mistakes we would make, the doubts we would feel, the anger and people we would hurt, the moments that we would scream and curse at Him when things didn’t go well in our lives, and yet He loved us.  He didn’t just “love us,” He loved us with a love “which passeth understanding” (Phil 4:7).  That completely overwhelms me.

When I don’t spend time studying the Word, or on my knees in prayer, He sends His love in a cool breeze on a warm day, and a sky filled with beautiful stars on a dark night.  When I have moments of doubt in the foundations of my faith, He whispers words of peace and love in the night hours.  When I feel alone and lost, He shows me that He is always near me, guiding me, teaching me, setting my steps, never leaving me (Heb 13:5).

It is that love, that deep piercing love, that helps me get back on track.  It is that love that strengthens me after a trial and gives me the ability to reach out and help others that struggle in their own lives.  It is that love that helps me to “run with patience the race that is set before” me (2 Tim 12:1-2), the race of life, sharing the gospel while encouraging and strengthening the children of God.

It is the kind of love that people have for each other where you can’t spend enough time together, and when your loved one speaks, you sit perfectly still so that you don’t miss one word of what they have to say.  Yes, it is that kind of love.  Not a one-sided loved, but where God hangs onto my words and thoughts and feelings and desires, just as much as I hang onto His.  Yes, it is that kind of love, where we are “filled unto all the fulness of God.”  It is that kind of love.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 7

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-27-2016

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The Inward Man

1 Sep

Dove and hands

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;”   Ephesians 3:14-16 (ASV)

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about God and Jesus.  I don’t know where I learned about them.  I don’t remember going to Sunday school, except when my paternal grandmother came to visit, until I was a teenager and my brother and I decided to go to different churches that we could walk to.  I don’t remember asking God into my heart or making a confession for Him to be my savior, it is possible that it happened and I just don’t remember, but I doubt it.  I do know one thing, from as young as I can remember, I talked to God and He talked back to me.

The reason I don’t think I said the sinner’s prayer as a child is because of how powerful the feeling was when I made that decision at the age of 38 at a Mario Murrillo Crusade.  It was an overwhelming and emotional event that swept over and through me like something that I have never felt before.  Peace, rest, knowledge, release, fire and a feeling that every trial that I had been through, and was currently going through, was all completely taken away and resolved.  The burden was no longer mine, but that of a big God who had all of the answers and was giving me the way to resolve the problem and deal with any lingering challenges through peace.  It was so different from the stress, fear and worry of all the years before.

My relationship was strong with God, but it didn’t become the strong force that it is today until after I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  That day, that receiving, completely changed my life and opened my mind, body and soul to a whole new spiritual realm that I cannot explain to another; it is truly something that must be experienced.  Scripture came to life.  The confusion of the King James Language was gone and the words easy to read and understand.  Bible study was a joy and I spent most of my waking hours in the Bible and in study books, helping me understand how the Old Testament and the New Testament came together.  Types and Shadows.  The history of the Old Testament and how the lives of the Patriarchs became the basis and foundation of the life of Jesus, the Disciples, and Apostles that followed Him.

The Inward Man.  The place where the Spirit dwells, once we invite Him in. It is also the place where free will rests.  It is a holding ground of potential, and it is a place where only we can open up to outside influences, both good and bad.  I suspect that my Inward Man was protected by the many prayers of my grandmother, aunts and uncles during the time when I didn’t know any better.  It was the place that called to my brother and I to look for a place to worship and seek God.  It was a fallow ground that needed to be prepared for my decision to be a pastor and share the gospel.

Many do not make the same decision that I did, they fill their Inner Man with self-love, greed, addictions, and occultic activities, those become their soul foundation.  Their chosen Inward Man pulls them into things that keep them from peace, rest and true love.  I suspect that there are times, as we grow up, that we all fill our Inward Man with things that should not be there, things that we need to release.  The wonderful thing about our Inward Man, is that we have the ability to cleanse what should not be there and refill it with the things God meant for us to have.  We can, if we will.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer of this scripture is that we would make the choice to follow the Father, cleansing out any poor choices that we have made in the past, and receive the “riches of glory” through the acceptance of the Holy Spirit into our lives, strengthening our Inward Man.  What a powerful prayer that so many have received and walked in.  I cannot explain the difference of having the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I comes with signs and wonders.  It comes with miracles and answered prayers.  It comes with peace, joy and understanding.  It comes with a little bit of Jesus living inside of us.  It comes with Love!

** A Journey Through Ephesians  –  Chapter 3, Part 6

By Linda J. Humes

Written 5-18-2016

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Your Glory

31 Aug

Worn Out Tires

Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:13

Tribulations are not something new.  Tribulations have been around as long as man was created.  Adam and Eve faced tribulations after being removed from the Garden of Eden, after they disobeyed the instructions of God.  Tribulations can be many things, and may be completely different to each individual person.  To one person a tribulation may be a sickness, drugs, poverty, a learning disability, or something that greatly impacts their immediate everyday life.  To a nation Tribulations could be wars, natural disasters, or the potential of devastating decisions to be made.  One year, for me, it was a limited income and a car in desperate need of tires.

I went out one day and found my back tire completely flat.  After one of the boys put my spare on I headed in to work, realizing that the poor tire that had just been taken off was in no shape to go back on.  The metal bands were worn through the rubber, and nothing could be done to convince it to hold air again.

A few days later I went to the local tire shop and asked them to look at the tire, as well as the others, and assess the problem.  I knew my checkbook did not hold enough for a new tire, the spare would have to do for a while, but I wanted to know what the cost was going to be to replace all of them, as soon as I had enough money to make the purchase.  My goodness, I wasn’t prepared for the cost of tires.

They put the worse tire on the back, opposite the spare.  I told them I would be back as soon as I could to replace it.  They encouraged me to come back as soon as possible because they were concerned about it blowing out on my hour trip to or from work each day.  I also told them that as soon as I could I would replace the front tires which were in bad shape as well.

I went back a few weeks later and purchased one back tire, then a few weeks later I purchased another back tire and put the spare back into the trunk.  I told them that I would not be able to buy another tire for at least a month.  They thought, if I was very careful, that I might be able to drive on the front 2 for a month, but not any longer.  Four months later I returned and purchased the last 2.  I sat and waited in their customer area and when the car was complete I went up to the cash register to complete my transaction.  There were 4 people watching me.  I greeted them and one of them asked what I did every day when I drove my car.  I told them that when I got into my car every day I thanked the Lord for the blessing of the car and asked for grace to get to work and home again without a problem.  I asked them why they wanted to know and the same man stated, “Because there is no way that those tires should have been holding air.  We are completely shocked that you were able to drive in here!”  All of the rest nodded in agreement.  “I serve a wonderful and miraculous God,” I told them, “and I am forever grateful for what He does for me every day.”

They watched me leave the building and get into my car.  I thanked God for the blessing of my car, and I thanked Him for the miracle that kept me on the road until I had the money to replace those old worn out tires.  The tribulation became my “glory” because I never gave up.  John Wesley said that your glory is “Not fainting” when things become tough.  Glory means beauty, ornament, distinction and pride.  Our standing in faith, taking everything to prayer:  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18 (KJV), gives God a sense of pride over our trust and faithfulness.

I certainly don’t recommend living recklessly and expecting God to get you out of situations that you could have avoided.  There’s a scripture about that, it says:  Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.”  Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV).  But when you have no other means of solving a problem, leaning on God through prayer and supplication will have profound and amazing results.  Our God is mighty to answer in ways that can only be done by Him.

Lord, I thank You that You are always with me, listening to my joys, fears, pain, and desires.  I thank You that when I am in situations that I cannot control, You are there to keep a watchful eye and bring miracles when they are needed.  I can never thank You enough for all you do.  I can only promise to do my best to make myself available for anything You ask me to do.  I am forever Yours.

(stock photo, not actual tire)

 ** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 5

Written by Linda J. Humes

4-17-2016

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