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Exceeding Greatness

3 Aug

CreationLaura Sotka 2008

“and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might.” Ephesians 1:19 (ASV)

I love walking out at night into the backyard, and looking up into the vastness of the star lit sky.  Truly amazing and beautiful.  I am in awe of the incredible God who put it all together, with the spoken word, in a moment’s time.  I am always speechless.

It is difficult for people to understand the “exceeding greatness” of God.  We may hear the stories, as a picture is painted in Genesis, and fully believe it as the truth, but do we understand the intricacies of creating something from nothing (Genesis 1:1), setting the stars in the sky (Genesis 1:16) before creating the sun to rule it (Genesis 1:14-16)?

In His exceeding greatness God created man and women (Genesis 1:26-27), all people specifically similar physiologically and yet all specifically different in appearance, emotions, intellectualism and spirituality.  He created man so intricately that every cell of his body and hair on his head is specifically aligned to each other to maintain perfect oxygen levels and heart/brain/lung function to sustain life; no portion of the body is without purpose (1 Corinthians 12:12).

In this chapter and verse “Greatness” means mighty, explosive, beyond measure.  It is the word from where we get the English word Megathon, which is what they measure atomic explosives with.  “Exceeding” means greatly enlarged, flourishing or to grow beyond measure.  Putting it together we have an event that is compared to an atomic explosion which grows beyond measure.  And that explanation doesn’t even touch the completeness of it, we can only compare it to an example that we understand; it is so much less that what God’s Exceeding Greatness truly is.

In this chapter and verse, “Power” relates to His authority, power and sanction.  It is far beyond Governors, Presidents, Kings and Queens.  It is far beyond anything we could possibly imagine.  He has the power to turn words into life.  With His spoken word animals, fish, gardens, earth itself, and man/woman came to life from nothingness (Genesis 1:1-3).  Nothingness.  Followed by the “Strength” of His Might.  “Strength” means His sovereign unlimited power and dominion over all.  And He invited me to be a part of it.  He invited you to be a part of it.  I am so overwhelmed trying to make sense of all of that.

I don’t know why God cares so much about us, why He loves us with unmerited grace; but He does.  I don’t know why He trusts us with His saving message, directing us to share it with all who will listen.  I don’t know why He chooses the most unlikely people to give the strongest anointing, to reach the hurting and the sick.  I don’t know why a God of such Exceeding Greatness would use His Power toward us, to give us encouragement and strength and hope to do the things He has called us to do, when He could just speak what He wants and it would come to fruition.  But, He did!

God cares so much about us. We must believe that He has the Power to bring supernatural healing, cleanse the drug addict, and banish depression; and He will.  He has the Strength to restore a broken marriage, bring families back together in complete harmony, and return the heart of the children to the parents; and He will.  He has the Might to make a Moses, a Peter, a Paul and a David, a witness of His kingdom, in a way that only a simple and imperfect person can do; and He did.

Lord, help me look into Your eyes and see my value, in its finished and perfected form.  Help me to remember the love you have for each and every one of us, so that none of us will look upon another with disdain.  Help me to maintain Hope for the circumstances that surround me, knowing that it is all being held in the palm of Your hand.  Help us all to stay thankful.

** A Journey Through Ephesians:  Chapter 1, Part 11

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-11-14

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SEALED

2 Aug

Ancient wax seal

(Christ) . . . “in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,– in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory. ‘Ephesians 1:13-14 (ASV)

Over the last several years I have learned how to can.  Canning is generally quite simple, but with a few very critical components – time, pressure, temperature and most importantly, seal. Without a solid seal on the lid, the precious food inside will spoil.

Back in early times, when royalty sent a letter or a message, they wanted to be sure that the receiver was assured that the message had come from them. To do so they folded the paper and melted bitumen onto the end of the paper, then used a signet ring to press their specific emblem onto the paper, sealing it closed.  This was later replaced by a heavy wax and even later, envelopes with a wax seal over the closure point.  The seal kept the precious message for the eyes of the receiver only.  Once the seal was broken, it could not be resealed.

God‘s people used Bitumen as far back as Genesis when wanting to seal something of great importance.  Noah used bitumen (also called pitch) when waterproofing the Ark (Gen 6:14).  It was used to line the basket in which Moses was placed as a baby, to keep it afloat (Exodus 2:3). It was used to bind the bricks when building the Tower of Babel (well, that’s another story).

Sealing was used to place a mark of ownership and to establish where something came from and the authority with which it was sent.  Sealing was a means of protection from an outside element, such as water, wind or storm.  Sealing also was used to set something apart, or someone apart, protecting them from a peril of the time.

God has placed the Seal of the Holy Spirit upon all believers.  This seal brings us wisdom, foreknowledge, protection from the evil one, and proof of our right to eternal life with Christ.  The Seal is clearly on our foreheads, the same Seal that God placed on His son (John 6:27), is visible in the spiritual realm, marking our place (Revelation 9:4; Revelation 7:3).

This Seal is only the earnest of our inheritance, only the first sign, a small portion of what is to come, when we become children of God (2 Corinthians 1:22).  It is a deposit, a security, a pledge, the first installment of the wonderful gift; the inheritance of eternal life (John 3:15-16), a mansion fashioned to every individual (John 14:2-3), redemption from this world of pain and suffering to a Heavenly place where there will no longer be tears or anguish (Revelation 21:4).  We become God’s prized possession, sealed by the price of the life of His dear son, Jesus Christ.  Sealed by the blood of the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-14).  Sealed by a bond that cannot be broken.

Lord, help me to always give you the glory and praise for the seal you have placed on my life.  Let me remember the sacrifice Your precious Son gave that I might receive this precious gift.  Help me to remember that even as I leave this earth, Your seal is forever visible by those in Heavenly places and the hand of evil can never remove it.  Praise Your Holy Name.

**A Journey through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 8

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-6-14

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Gathering Together

2 Aug

crowd hands up

‘That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)

I remember when I first started raising chickens.  In the morning I would open up their henhouse and the little fenced-in yard and would let them run in the tall grass outside.  They would scatter to the 4 winds and have the best time.

Later, I would try to encourage them to return to the safety of their pen and house, but they would have none of it.  People would tell me not to worry, they said that as it grew dark they would return to their roost.  Didn’t happen.  It would take the entire family “shooing” and flapping arms to get them back in.  It continued day after day, and in all of our frustration we decided it was easier not to let them out.

Gathering my little flock was more of an exercise in futility than anything.  I wanted to protect them, keep them warm and safe, and give them the food and water they needed to grow and multiply.  They wanted freedom – dangerous and exciting freedom.

In Ephesians 1:9-10, God says that He is revealing the mystery so that all He has chosen will know to “gather” together, both Jew and Gentile, both living and those who have passed on to Heaven before us – for His Pleasure.  Gathering at a specified time, of which only He is aware.

The Mystery revealed that there would be a dispensation, a breaking of the Old Testament laws, an immunity for those Gentiles with a heart toward God, as big and as genuine as any Jew born into the right of the inheritance.  What a blessing for you and I, for now we can receive all of the promises and encouragement from the Old Testament.  We have become joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), we receive a fully equal inheritance (Acts 20:32), being made acceptable by the mystery revealed to all through the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:16).

When the spiritual calls of the Saints have been completed and the time is right, the fullness of time, God will speak to every righteous heart, both dead and alive, and they will gather unto Him for the final gift; the gift of knowing that they are completely and irrevocably His, into eternity.  Holy, Holy, Holy!

Oh, my Jesus, gather us to Your side as a father to his children.  Let us accept Your treasured gift and not feel unworthy or torn away by seducing freedom.  May we understand our value in You, in all of our brokenness, and gather together at Your feet in worship.

**A Journey through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 6

Written by Linda J. Humes

8-24-14

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The Mystery

2 Aug

Hands with Light Shining - Mystery

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Ephesians 1:9 (ASV)

Back when I was growing up there wasn’t anything better than a good Mystery to fill a Saturday night. I didn’t have TV until I was almost 10, and there were very few shows; reading filled my spare time and sharing it with Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys was delightful.

The wonderful thing about a mystery is that you are given little bits of information in a venue of intrigue, and through those bits of information, added to as the story unfolds, you can understand an event that took place, or a great truth that is not easily understood, and it all comes to perfect clarity. The “Mystery” of the New Testament is very much the same.

Although the Mystery was in God from the beginning of time it was revealed in a time when the church of Jesus Christ was being birthed and Christians were being persecuted and killed for their faith. Disciples were reaching out to new areas, sharing the word of the Gospel to all who would hear and being imprisoned and tortured for their determination. It was an extremely difficult and exciting time for all involved. New hope was being shared and lives were being changed by the words of those who were willing to place their lives in danger to bring the truth. They brought the secret to the Mystery (Rom 16:25-17).

This Mystery, shared within the precious Gospel, was a truth undiscoverable, except by revelation (Mark 4:11). A truth shared by Jesus to his Disciples and sent into all the world (Mark 16:15). A truth rejected by the Jews of the time, the chosen people of God, not willing to believe that there would be any other people that could ever be as precious to God as they were. A truth revealed that the gentile, the non-Jew, were as precious and loved by God as the Jewish people that He brought into existence and walked daily with, bringing them out of Egyptian slavery, across the wilderness and where He provided for their every need, both on the slave side – wilderness side – and promised side of their lives.

This Mystery, held in secret until a group of people were prepared to place their lives at odds to share it, had been in the heart of God from the beginning of time (Eph 3:9, Eph 6:19-20). A Mystery that says we are ALL precious in His sight (John 3:15-16). A Mystery that says that no matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, God stands waiting for you (Acts 3:19). Anyone, who is willing is welcome to receive the gift of the Mystery – any age, race, creed, conviction, or historical behaviors – all are welcomed into the gift of the Mystery and can become the Children of God. This is, by far, the greatest Mystery of the Bible.

There are other Mysteries in the Bible: The Bride of Christ (Eph 5:30-32), the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev 29:9), the Seven Stars and the Seven Candlesticks (Rev 1:20), and the Woman Clothed in Scarlet (Rev 17:1-7). But of all of the Mysteries, knowing that I am fully accepted and loved by God, born a gentile and of low esteem, is an amazing feeling. Yet, going further, Ephesians 1:9 doesn’t just mention the Mystery, it also mentions that He revealed the Mystery of “His Will” according to “His Good Pleasure” which He has “Purposed in Himself”. He made me a part of His Mystery for His joy, not just for mine.

Thank you Lord for the unraveling of Your Mystery. Thank You for making me fully Yours. Help me to share the revelation of Your gift so that all can receive the love You have been wanting to show them. Glory!

** A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 5

Written by Linda J. Humes

8-3-14

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Redemption

2 Aug

Soda Bottles

“in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,” Ephesians 1:7-8 (ASV)

As a kid growing up, Saturdays held the wonderful adventure of soda-pop bottle seeking. Sodas came in stout glass bottles and when the empties were returned to the store you received 2 shiny pennies each! My brother and I would search the sides of the roads and trash cans for bottles. With a little imagination and an hour of seeking, we redeemed enough bottle deposits for 2 sodas and 2 candy bars. A perfect way to start the weekend.

In those days redemption was a whole different word to me. We weren’t a church going family, not even at Easter or Christmas. I didn’t understand about generational sin, Heaven or Hell. I did know there was a God, but I don’t remember how I knew. I spoke to the big God often and knew He was there to watch over me. I didn’t fully understand redemption until I began my Christian walk at the age of 38.

When I began to study the Bible I couldn’t get enough. I would dig and research and sit up late hours into the night. The story of Jesus and all that He did touched me to the very depths of my soul. I began to understand redemption clearly, but I could not understand why God would send His Son down to be with men, and I surely didn’t understand why He would send Him down to die for the cleansing of their sins, past, present and future – including mine. It was so hard to understand that God could love us that much, especially in our dirty and broken states. It was/is so humbling.

My God, who measured the waters in the hollow of his hand (Isaiah 40:12), who chose us before the foundations of the earth, who made a way for us to stand before Him holy and without blemish (Ephesians 1:4), who foreordained us unto adoption as his children through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). Our God, loved us so much that He made of His son, Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, eliminating the need for the continual sacrifice of animals (Hebrews 10:10, 17-18). Oh my.

Jesus’ sacrifice gave us the gift of forgiveness from God the Father. Forgiveness, according to His grace, divine unmerited favor, which He made to “Abound” toward us, and yet freely given with “Wisdom and Prudence” (Ephesians 1:8). That tells me that when He first planned our lives, He knew what we would face, what we would do, how we would react, the mistakes we would make and the humility or pride we would face them with – but still He gave us His forgiveness, through grace, with wisdom so that we would learn from our choices and grow in grace, with prudence, to teach us discretion. Plus, He gave it in abundance, not just enough for a day, but enough for a lifetime. He loves us so much that He gave us an out for every poor choice, if we will only call on Him.

Now it becomes our duty, our obligation, to honor that gift and do all we can to walk upright in it. We must receive His grace to be able to give it, abounding/abundantly, to all we encounter. Freely we have received, freely we are called to give (Matthew 10:8), walking this path with forgiveness in our hearts and peace in our soul. Lord, please show us the way.

*A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-27-14

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Foreordained Us Unto Adoption

2 Aug

Adoption Symbol

“having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:” Ephesians 1:5-6 (ASV)

Back in 1984 God blessed me with a baby boy. I had waited and prayed, waited and prayed, for many years to conceive a child. The joys and the fears, the excitement and the concerns, all came together into an amazing time of motherhood. Unfortunately, the birth was far from normal and the physical damage caused during delivery precluded me from every carrying a child again.

I longed for another child and my son begged for siblings. After 8 years we began fostering 2 little boys, ages 3 and 5, and 2 years later we were blessed in adoption. What an amazing day for our family.

When my 2 sons were adopted into our family they received all of the privileges and blessings that my birth son received. They received unconditional love, a strong Christian home, The understanding and love of Jesus, Christmas gifts, Easter gifts, Valentine’s Day cards, and several Birthday celebrations: their own, the day they came to live with us, and adoption day! With that adoption also came responsibilities: family rules, family decisions, and working around the house with the rest of us. They became “complete” members of the family, fully equal.

In Genesis it is told that Jacob/Israel was becoming sick and frail in his late years. It was Joseph’s desire that Israel would meet his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 48:1-22). Joseph asked Israel to speak a blessing over his sons, which he did. Israel spoke an “everlasting portion” to the seed of Joseph (Gen 48:4-5). In Israel’s blessing he gave an extra portion of land for Joseph’s children (Gen 48:22) and called Manasseh and Ephraim as if they were his own children. Israel put his name upon them (Gen 48:16) and they became children of the tribes of Israel. He adopted them to himself, as if they were his own sons. They received all that Israel’s own sons received in their inheritance.

We were foreordained (predestined) to adoption to Jesus (Eph 1:5-6). Before the creation of the world, God knew that Jesus would adopt us into His Kingdom for His “pleasure.” Not just because He would be blessed, but because of the blessing we would receive when He accepted us, chose us, made us acceptable before God. He called our name and we responded by asking him to be our Lord and Savior, as He knew we would before the beginning of time. Immediately we were “Adopted” unto Jesus. Joint heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:17). What a glorious moment! What an honor!

We no longer have to worry about whether we are good enough or what will happen if we mess up tomorrow, we are adopted into the family of Christ (Rom 8:15). God has placed His Holy Spirit inside of us, the Spirit of Christ, making us “sons of God” (Gal 4:5-7). With that adoption comes the incredible blessings of belonging, and also the responsibilities of becoming Christ-like to reach those children that He has called us to.

I praise you Lord for the gift you have given me. Let me ever be mindful of the blessings and the responsibilities that come with that Holy Gift. In Jesus’ precious Name!

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-12-14

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Holy and Without Blemish

2 Aug

Chosen - Holy and without Blemish 7-6-14

“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:”   Ephesians 1:4 (ASV)

We all have moments in our lives when we have waited in nervous anticipation as to whether we were chosen. I watched my younger brother stand along a ball field fence as, one-by-one others were chosen for a team, waiting and feeling more defeated. I remember being excited to find out whether I had been chosen for a part in a play, and being so nervous that I may not have been, that I would wait until the school hall was completely empty before I went to the posted list to check. Then there are those job interviews. Yikes! Chosen – what if we weren’t good enough. Chosen – what if no one wanted us.

If only we could grasp the understanding that God chose us, “Before the Foundations of the World” (Eph 1:4), we would have such a different view of who we are. Scripture doesn’t say God chose us after we gave our life to Him, or after we proved we could be “good enough,” or after we had been in the church several years and working multiple ministries, or after we went to Seminary or . . . NO, God chose us BEFORE the Foundations of the World. Before there was light, before there was a sun, before there was a moon or stars or animals in the field or fish in the waters . . . God CHOSE Us! That takes my breath away!

But He didn’t just choose us to be his children, or to be His servants, He chose us to be “Holy and without Blemish before Him in Love” (Eph 1:4). That’s a tough one.

When I look in the mirror I see a lot of blemishes and disappointments and failures. Pressure’s on! How can I possibly be given the ultimate gift of being chosen by God and be such a mess? It can only be because of the Love of God Himself, who allows me to be the person I have allowed myself to be, making a way for me to step out of this moment in time and become all that He has meant for me to be.

God shows us that we must be “washed by the water of the word” (Eph 5:26), cleansing our past and allowing God to cleanse us to the point of being “Holy and without Blemish” (Eph 5:27). A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) cleansed daily through Prayer and the Studying and Application of His Word. Daily preparing ourselves. Daily cleansing away the mistakes of daily life.

We are a chosen people, created to bless God and His precious son (Acts 10:41). A chosen people, set apart, to do the will and works of God (Isaiah 43:20-21). We must remain cleansed to be the hands and feet of God, who will take the Gospel to the hurting and wounded, not forsaking our call, but grasping tightly to the gift God has given us (Matthew 22:14), standing faithfully and committed to what we are called to do, recognizing the precious gift and privilege bestowed upon us (Revelation 17:14).

Lord, please help me to grasp the precious gift you have given me and rise above my own self-doubts of who I am. Help me to study and cleanse myself daily, so that I will always be prepared to step up to what you have set before me, gracefully accepting the call.

*A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 2

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-6-2014

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Through The Will of God

2 Aug

Paul on Damascus Road

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ:” Ephesians 1:1-3 ASV

Wait. Stop! What? “Paul, an Apostle, of Jesus Christ, Through the Will of God!” Paul?

Let’s step back a little bit in time. There was a man named Saul, of Tarsus, a Pharisee, who “knew” the Torah and Old Testament, being “zealous toward God” (Acts 22:4), believing that these followers of Jesus, these Christians, were an eminent threat to the Jews. Saul, who killed, imprisoned and persecuted the men and women of Christ, without mercy (Acts 7:58), because of his misunderstood faith. Saul who, one day, was on a mission to capture Christians to bring them to punishment when he met Jesus on the Damascus road. Jesus called his name (Acts 22:6), filled him with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), changed his entire life (Acts 9:15), and created the most persuasive disciple to the Jews, Romans and Greeks. “Paul – – – through the will of God.”

Do you remember the day that Jesus called your name? I will never forget the night I cried out “here am I Lord, please come into my heart.” That night I became one of the “Faithful in Christ Jesus” with little to give, but zealous to learn and grow. I wasn’t called to change nations like Paul was, I was called to touch the wounded and hurting that crossed my path . . . through the will of God.

When God puts His Spirit inside of us, when He puts a call in our heart, whether big or small, it is purposed, it is specific, for our time. We don’t know where the finances will come from, we don’t know if there will be others to help, we don’t even know whether we will be wise enough to make the decisions and speak the words to impact the people God has called us to minister to. But, we do know that the burning is so deep inside to complete the call of God, with the “Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 1:2) that we cannot stop.

We lean on Ephesians 1:3, knowing that God has blessed us with EVERY Spiritual blessing to accomplish our task. “Every Spiritual blessing in Heavenly places in Christ,” not just financial blessings, not just wisdom, not just the minimum amount of blessing needed, but with “Every Spiritual Blessing.”

Lord, please help us to run the race you have set before us in full confidence that you run beside us and have given us all we need to finish the call, not matter how large or small, or the mistakes we have made in the past . . . . through Your will.

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 1

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-3-14

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The Love You Show

2 Aug

Corporate Prayer

“For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;” Ephesians 1:15-16 (ASV)

At some time in their lives most children feel unwanted and that they don’t belong in their family.  I don’t remember ever feeling like I belonged.  There weren’t hugs or kisses on the cheek or “I’m proud of you” comments.  I can often remember thinking that we kids were a chore to be dealt with, nothing more.  After my father’s death my mom remarried, and I had hoped it would change.  There were happier times in the family, when we spent time playing games and sharing stories – but I can only remember one time in my whole childhood that I received a hug and a kiss on the cheek from my mother.

When I gave my life to follow Jesus, He brought me something that I never expected – a new family.  I received hugs and encouragement and a feeling of belonging every time I stepped inside a church door.  It wasn’t an immediate transformation, but after a while I found that I was able to open up and share that same unconditional, “sister/mother” love with others.  A love without strings or expectations.  A love that came from being a member in the body of Christ.

Interestingly, it didn’t matter which church I entered, the acceptance was the same.  There was a strong feeling of family, an understanding that we all have our pains and wounds that we are working through, and a commitment of working together to try to help each other get to the place where we could heal and grow in the call that God had placed upon our lives.  There was a desired commitment to pray for others, known and unknown, to usher the healing balm from the Father’s hand into the lives others.  A delicious gift, freely given and humbly received, on a daily basis.  Through those times of prayer, mountains moved, faith grew, bodies were healed, love was shared, true compassion for others was felt, salvation went forward and people were set free – far more than anyone else – I was set free.

In Paul’s words in the scripture above, he recognizes the special circumstances and compassions that God put into the hearts of the believers (saints) that drew them toward each other in a common goal of sharing the message of the gospel and encouraging each other in love and prayer.  Through their faith they were able to bond together for a common goal of sharing a very unpopular and dangerous message and yet remained compassionate toward other’s frailties; holding each other tightly in prayer.  For the gift of that bond, that relationship, that family of Christ, Paul found strength and honored them all in thanksgiving and prayer.

I see what Paul is speaking of in this text every day.  I see it in today’s church – in the services, the Bible studies, the youth groups, men’s groups, and women’s groups.  There is a drawing together of the body of Christ that cannot be explained by any other term than “family.”  A family of imperfect, but striving and compassionate people, willing to take the time to encourage and pray for their “brothers” and “sisters”, to help them reach a newer and stronger level of faith.

Is it faith that brings us compassion, or is it compassion, birthed inside by a loving God, that gives us the foundation that faith stands firmly upon?  Is it faith that gives us confidence in prayer, or prayer that builds our strength in faith?  Is it the love of the saints that makes us want to pray and encourage others, lifting them up before the throne-room of God, or is it the time spent in the throne-room with God, in diligent and dedicated prayer, that brings us a love for people we may never meet; that breaks our heart for a people that we can only see in the Spirit, and gives us confidence for a true physical, emotional and spiritual healing for those who stand among us?  I don’t know, but I stand before my God with a heart filled with gratefulness for the gift of prayer and a heart filled with compassion for all mankind.

** A Journey Though Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 9

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-14-14

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You Covered Me

28 Jul

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

God, this season has been the most difficult season of my life, But You covered me.

When scripture verses made no sense and chapters were just blurred words on a page, You reminded me that they never change, are never returned void, are always “Yes” and “Amen.”

When I searched for answers, only to find confusion and frustration, You sent me the right words through the voice of another.

When the weakness and fatigue overwhelmed me and all I could do was sleep or rest in my chair, I felt Your strong arms as You held me.

When loneliness started to creep in and I wondered what I had done to cause You to abandon me, You showed me that You were right there with me, every moment of every day.

When the illness made me doubt my faith, and all I know to be true, You wiped my tears and held me closer.

As I get stronger I can see the many miracles you provided along this journey, I am so grateful.

How do I thank a mighty God who holds a universe in His hands and knows the needs of every falling sparrow? By being an instrument of Your love. Knowing that You will always be there, Covering Me.

—

Written by Linda J. Humes

5-16-18

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