Tag Archives: Christianity

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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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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A HEART OF FREEDOM

7 Aug

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.   Acts 12:7

I have had the privilege of becoming friends through Christ with many inmates. I find their faith strong, their dedication immeasurable and their Christian love pure. Their desire to have all that God has for them is so powerful – I feel inadequate to mentor and encourage them. I find myself envying the time they have to study God’s word and sing His praises.

What a perfect God cherished testimony. Here are people with lives completely restricted; only allowed to move about if shackled, and yet they have a found a heart of peace and a spirit of freedom that I could only pray to have. They are bound completely on the outside – yet completely free through Jesus on the inside. They have replaced anger with joy, strife with study, cursing with prayer and praise. Many still have decades to complete before I will meet them face to face, I look forward to that day when we can share the joy of Jesus over a cup of coffee. They have so much to teach me.

I pray for their safety, peace and joy and I receive letters from them stating that they are praying daily for me. They express as much concern for my well being as I have about theirs. Once Jesus steps into the heart of any person, the chains of life begin to fall away. Some remove them a little at a time and some miraculously loose them all, in one fell swoop.

I’ve learned through my many years with Jesus that everything in life is shadowed and paralleled. I too am restricted to a regimented schedule – by work, family obligations and church events. I’m shackled by stress, obligation, bills, illness and weariness. Their incarceration is tangible and they have risen above it. My incarceration is self-imposed and enforced with self-set unrealistic expectations. I strive daily to rise above my circumstances, not always with true success. So, Jesus, which of us is truly bound?

Lord, give me the courage to say “No” to time that unnecessarily takes me away from you. Teach me to set boundaries and set a Jesus appointment in every day – at least twice a day please! Help me to remember the true reason I’m here – to share the treasure of YOU with all that I meet. And always keep my heart open to learn from a new friend, no matter the path they have walked.

 

Written 6-15-07

 

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