"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" Ephesians 5:20
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Have we limited our thanksgiving this year already? Have we started out thankful only for the things that make us feel comfortable? Or are we making the point to give thanks in ALL things?
Throughout history, God has revealed Himself more and more. The children of Israel knew Him as Jehovah, but by the Names Messiah and Emmanuel (at this point), He was not known unto them. This gives us just a glimpse of the vastness of our God! And to think, I am born in an era where His Word is complete and revealed, so I can see how God has made Himself known to us!
How often I have read this, wishing I had a visible pillar of God to guide me! I do have an eternal pillar of guidance though: the Holy Spirit. Just like God never removed the pillar of cloud or fire, He never removed this pillar from my life. However, I can grieve it (Eph 4:30) and quench it (1 Thes 5:19). So if I am not seeing this pillar guiding me, I need to evaluate myself -- am I even seeking to be filled with the Spirit?
Take - the armor of God is available to us every day, but it is our responsibility to take action so that *we* have the armor of God on us.
Withstand - "stand against, oppose"
Stand - "a prolonged form of a primary; to stand"
With the armor of God, we are not only able to stand against the devil, but we are able to stand firm and not lose ground. This cannot be done in our own strength, but must be done through the power of God (verse 10). Have you thought about spiritual warfare today and prepared?
Now it's your turn: share a verse! :)
One of my favorites:
ReplyDeleteI am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ~Jesus Christ
(John 10:10b)
I really like your thoughts on Gen.6:3. I never thought about that verse like that.
ReplyDeleteYesterday evening, I was reading Mark 1 and verses 16-20 hit me, not that I have never heard them or read them before, but they stood out anew. Jesus called to first two fishermen, then to two more, to follow Him. All four of them responded by dropping everything right away and following Him. I started thinking, how many people truly drop EVERYTHING to follow Christ? And, have I?
@ Liberty - beautiful verse!!
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous - very thought-provoking questions.