Tag Archives: Boldness

The Manifold Wisdom of God

30 Aug

“to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:10-12 (ASV)

When I read this scripture I had a hard time understanding what it was saying.  I felt the key was the Manifold Wisdom, but the true key was the Principalities and Powers.  How many times do we read through something and miss the true point?  We pick up on the flash and leave the foundation.  But God, in His infinite wisdom, can redirect and enlighten us to what He is truly saying.  Please read the reference above again.  Principalities and Powers in HEAVENLY PLACES.

Have you ever thought much about Angels?  We are surrounded by angels constantly.  Angels of light, guiding us toward our call, toward understanding, and away from danger.  Angels of darkness, tempting us toward things we have a weakness for, leading us toward destruction.  Angels, waiting for our prayers to direct them, to release them, to banish them.  Ever present, ever ready.

I didn’t understand the full extent of their power until I grasped this scripture last night.  The Principalities and the Powers in Heavenly Places (Angels of Light) are to be known through the Church (of Jesus Christ) the Manifold (many, multifaceted, multifarious) Wisdom OF GOD.  They hold the unfathomable wisdom of God, given to them to help us walk our path every day.  They were given the wisdom to help us to our Eternal Purpose (salvation unto eternal life) as was purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (given to us through His crucifixion at Calvary), in whom we have Boldness and Confidence through our Faith in Him.

Immediately I see the Heavenly Host of Angels surrounding the Virgin Mary, her husband Joseph, and the tiny baby in the manger, Jesus Christ our Lord.  The Angels guided Mary and Joseph along their path to Bethlehem (Matt 2:13-15) and to the Inn that had no more rooms.  They guided them to a humble, yet secure location to birth the fragile and innocent babe.  The Angels called to the Shepherds to come and see, and called to the Wise Men months before the birth, and then guided them with a Star as they drew closer (Luke 2:8-20).

Jesus speaks of the Angels that surrounded Him and that could remove Him from the cross and bring destruction to those who chose to do Him harm (Matt 26:53).  Angels that walked with Him every day from the moment He was placed in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:26-38).  Angels that guarded and protected Him in the manger.  Angels that taught Him and guided Him as He grew in wisdom and bantered with the Priests and Pharisees in the temple when He was just a child.  Angels that ministered to Him after his 40 days in the wilderness while tempted by Satan (Matt 4:11).  Angels that walked every step with Him in His earthly Ministry, in His beatings and torture.  Angels that surrounded Him as he hung on the cross, waiting for any word from Him to change the circumstance.  Angels that watched the tomb He was placed in and explained His absence after the stone had been rolled away (John 20:12).

I don’t worship Angels, no one should.  I am thankful that Angels have been in my life helping me to find the way to Jesus, helping me learn the scriptures and to reflect the fruits of the Spirit.  Angels still surround me and my daily life, but my teachings and guidance comes from the Holy Spirit.  I wonder if they rejoiced when I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I expect they did.  I expect that every time I have a spiritual breakthrough they rejoice again.

I thank God for giving us Angels to watch over and guide us as He draws us closer and closer to Him.  I am thankful that we have the free will to choose which Angels we will follow, and that God gives us the strength to decide His path, even in times of great temptation.  I am thankful that we grow in boldness and confidence in our faith each and every day, through our relationship with God.

Please God, never let me forget that every person I may meet could be an Angel (Heb 13:2), and that my words and actions toward them could be to honor or to dishonor You.  I choose honor.  I choose You.

** A Journey Through Ephesians:  Chapter 3, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

12-18-2015

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The Phenomena of the American “Christian”

18 Jul

Church clip art

  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  John 3:16-17 

My husband and I made the decision to become foster parents.  After a year of classes and paperwork, we were blessed with two little boys, which we were allowed to adopt four years later.  To say we have been blessed by our decision is an understatement, although it has not always been easy.

When we brought these boys into our lives, we were extremely involved in church, choir, teaching, Bible study, helps and various other church activities.  The boys were thrust into a culture they never knew existed.  Being church “staff kids” meant they often spend 10 to 12 hours a day at the church in different aspects of school and ministry.  They received a “crash course” in Christianity and were excited to share this delight with the world.

It was not uncommon for them to stop perfect strangers and ask questions or give lectures of the values of “keeping the temple clean” (no smoking, drinking or drugs) (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  Being lectured by a 3-year-old or a 5-year-old on what harm certain substances can do to your body can be amusing, irritating, condemning or all three.  Going to the grocery store or drug store was always an adventure.  Restaurants were unpredictable – they knew they had a captive audience; the waiter or waitress.

We never knew when or what they were going to say.  They held a boldness I never had when it came to their faith.  The amazing thing is, that with their wide-eyed innocence, people always answered.  That is what this is all about.  Not about the innocent questioning, it’s about the answers.

I had read that Americans consider themselves to be Christians, simply because they are Americans!  Several people responded in just that manner – “sure, I’m a Christian – I’m an American!”  but, when pinned down about which church they attended – they didn’t.  When they did, it was for Christmas, Easter and Weddings.

One young man said that he wasn’t a Christian, his mom was.  He said he was a Christian once, but he quit going to church.  He knew he needed to start going back, but he was busy.  Sunday was his sleep-in day.

One young man said he wasn’t a Christian, he was a Baptist!  And several LDS said they were Christians, even though they don’t believe Jesus is the son of God.

We met several people who were obviously into New Age, but believed they were Christians.  We even knew of people who claimed to be “white witches” who felt they were Christians.  People who attend church on Sunday and read horoscopes every day of the week.  People who pray at bedtime and call psychics during the day.  It’s the phenomena of the American “Christian.”

I, myself, spent several years in a denominational church and was never encouraged to read the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15), never told that horoscopes were forbidden (Isaiah 47:13-14), or that psychics were cursed (Leviticus 20:21).  I didn’t know “white” witchcraft was “witchcraft” trying to make itself look “good” instead of “evil” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).  I have prayed many, many hours over this phenomena.  What is the answer?

The word of the Lord came to me “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).  The mission field begins in our own home.  The mission field is at our front door.

Because America does not have to fight to have freedom of religion, the people don’t understand what true Christianity is.  In those countries where they lay down their lives for an hour a week to gather together in prayer and Bible study – you can believe they understand.  We dwell in a country where we know a little bit about everything – but very few know a lot about any one particular thing; especially, it seems, pure Christianity.

We, the Church, have allowed confusion, distraction, and laziness to enter into the message we were sent to share (Galatians 1:6-8).  It crept in, ever so quietly, and took its place among the once dedicated.  Now we are sent to search it out.

There in the curiosity of my two children dwelt an answer.  Where I had been content for someone to verify they were a Christian, now I knew the mission was to make sure that they knew what Christianity was and how to come to the saving grace of Christ.  It is each of our jobs to steer the confused from horoscopes to scriptures – from psychics to Jesus.

Jesus, let me always be mindful of the enemy we battle and the subtle ways he perverts the truth.  Let me not be pacified with quick answers that may leave a soul, believing they are walking righteously, in the hands of an evil curse.  Let me speak up, at my own discomfort, to bring that little lost sheep back home.

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