Pause for thought

Like every local Church the church at Philippi had been called out by Jesus Christ Himself from the pagan society that surrounded them. Each of the characters that we read about in Acts 16 had a very personal miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ. But the same life changing power is working in us just as it did in them. We are all one body we all have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. Ephesians 4:4

Gods plan has always been to bring every believer together into one body that God calls the Church. The Bible knows only two expressions of Church, the universal Church and the local church. Every believer becomes a member of the Universal Church at the time of their new birth 1 Corinthians 12:13. The local church is called together by God himself as a dwelling place in the Spirit Ephesians 2:22 We are only able to “gather together unto Him” because the Lord draws us, But it is possible to refuse to gather ourselves unto Him and resist His drawing. Hebrews 10:24-25

Lydia’s household and the jailers household believed in Jesus and were all baptised, we need to understand that this meant every member of each household had each made their own decision to trust in Jesus Acts 16:15,33

What the slave girl said was true, but the source of what she said was demonic. Some commentators think that the message was spoken in a mocking way which may of course be true, but this was not the only reason why Paul cast the spirit of divination out. Paul was not about to receive validation for his message by a demon so by casting it out he silenced the demon and brought deliverance to the slave girl.

Never fall into any trap of the devil by allowing the Gospel to become linked with demon related activities. Don’t be deceived Truth and evil never mix.

Memory verse

They replied ,” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with your entire household. Acts 16:31 N.L.T.

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I was once approached by a lovely Christian gentleman who told me he had no intention of getting involved in spiritual warfare! he had probably been put off by some of the strange antics he had witnessed by some who claimed to be “doing” a stint of spiritual warfare! I told him he had no choice because the devil will bring spiritual warfare to us, in fact every Christian is a target for the enemy because of our relationship with Jesus.

Our warfare is not against physical forces but against unseen powers and wicked spirits in the heavenly realms, These are out to reap havoc by tempting and lying to individual Christians and the church of Jesus Christ. Paul warns us that the devil can transform himself into an angel of light and his servants can easily fool the church by pretending to be godly ministers 2 Corinthians 11:12-14. The devils main target is and always will be Christians we must stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the devil.

His strategy includes making mischief between Husband and Wife, Parent and child, in families, in the workplace and in the church. We need every piece of armour that God supplies to help in resisting the devil in the present time of evil we are living through. Satan is already a defeated foe. Therefore every piece of the armour reminds us of Christ’s victory on the cross for you and me that is the ground we take a stand on 6:11

Paul’s priority was being in the complete will of God for his life, Although in prison Paul knew he was where God wanted him. This is why his prayer request was particularly unselfish, he did not ask for release from prison but that the Ephesian Christians should agree with him in prayer that he would be able to continue to preach the gospel as he should! Paul knew that the secret of answered prayer is asking according to Gods will 16:20

The devil only derives his power through deception, he lies that he is as powerful as God he’s not. God and the devil are miles apart God is all powerful the devil in comparison is a worm. Although we have all Gods strong invincible armour available to us it’s up to us to use it! Notice Paul’s priority of prayer, we are to use every type of prayer as we pray to the Lord of the battle 6:18

memory verse

Pray at all times on ever occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 N.L.T

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Ephesians is not only to to be read but if we believe what it’s author the Holy Spirit is saying then it demands action! This always has to start on the home front which not often easy! This is where we learn to be guided by the Holy Spirit 5:17.

The key principle in all our relationships be it in marriage, the family, or the workplace is this, in everything we do we are to do in a way that is always honouring to Christ 5:21.

Christian marriage is to be a mirror of the relationship of Jesus Christ the bridegroom and His bride the Church. Husbands and wives have both been given an assignment from the Lord (good works prepared in advance for us to do) 2:10 Husbands are to be loving and caring for their wives in the same way that Christ is for His bride the Church. As the church submits to God so wives can then readily submit to their own husbands. It is my conviction that much is expected from husbands because of the great love Jesus Christ has for His Church 5:24-25

Children should obey their parents while under their care, but to honour one’s parents is for life 6:2, Deut 5:16

If in any relationship demands are put upon us that are against Gods law we are to obey God rather than men Acts 5:29

Christian behaviour in the workplace means that both employee and employer are serving the same master. Christian employers must be scrupulously fair in their dealings with all their employees no matter if they are believers or not. Christian employees should work hard and not take advantage if their employer is a fellow Christian. Christian bosses should be the best to work for and Christian employees should be among the most industrious, this not only honours Christ but will be rewarded 6:8

memory verse

And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 N.L.T.

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We are to walk, that is live our lives carefully being sensitive to the Holy Spirits direction. Much time has been squandered in following our own foolish ideas. I’m sure we all feel a sense of urgency, time is short, evil seems intense. But with the Lord the time we have wasted can be “redeemed” First we need to repent for the time we’ve squandered and seek wisdom from the Lord for what lies ahead making the most of every opportunity. Another way God redeems our time is that the time we devote to God seems to multiply. and becomes more productive, I firmly believe that God will give us every minute we need to fulfil our part in the great commission 5:16

Be filled with the Spirit this does not stop at a single experience. We must go on being filled with the Holy Spirit notice this is our responsibility. Also notice the importance worship and fellowship has in continuing to go on being filled with the Holy Spirit 5:18 -19

Giving thanks to God for all things means that we should give thanks for all that God gives us. James reminds us that nothing evil is a gift from God, There are some things that by nature are impossible for God to do. The apostle was not suggesting that God should be thanked for anything evil. However whatever the situation we find ourselves in we can be sure God is with us in it. this is why when writing to the Thessalonians Paul said we are to give thanks in every situation 5:20,James 1:13-17, 1Thessalonians 5:18.

Submission is always vertical before it can be horizontal 5:21

Memory verse

Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days Ephesians 5:16 N.L.T.

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Ephesians 5 reminds us that the Christian life can only be lived to the full by the power of God the Holy Spirit at work within us. He is the fountain of life 5:18 but more about that next time!

Because we are children of our Heavenly Father our love for others should be like Christ’s love for us when He gave Himself a sacrifice for our sins, this was like a precious perfume to God. We are to imitate Jesus as we love God and others our witness for the Lord will also ascend as a precious perfume unto Him 5: 1-2.

We are in the world but we are no longer of the world, Jesus was a friend of sinners but He never condoned sin. We must not avoid contact with the world or else when would we get opportunity to share the gospel? But we must never condone bad behaviour inside the church fellowship or outside of it. We must be on our guard against foolish talk and gossip indeed any behaviour that is opposed to what we hold dear as Christians 5: 6-7

Christians are no longer spiritually dead because they have been raised from death to life Romans 6:1-11 however it’s possible to be spiritually asleep, we need to wake up! to who we are already because of our union with Jesus Christ. In the parable of the wheat and the tares Jesus said that while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares amount the wheat and went away. The devil loves darkness but we are called children of the light so the promise remains we need to wake up! never forgetting our new identity in Christ, and Christ’s light will shine upon us 5:11-14 and Psalm 119:105.

Memory verse

“Awake,O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14 N.L.T.

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Pause For Thought

We are all called to the work of the “ministry” ministry is not the sole domain of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, or Pastors and teachers. These ministries are appointed by Christ Jesus Himself to equip each of us so that we can carry out the good works God has prepared for us before we had any choice in the matter! 2:10 However God has given us free will which is ours to exercise in the matter of our willingness or reluctance to play our part in the work of Christ’s ministry 4:12 and 16.

When we become “born again” we were given a new nature and the Holy Spirit came to dwell in our reborn spirit. Although we a have new nature we don’t automatically always think good thoughts and always express a right attitude. There must be a spiritual renewal of our thoughts and attitudes this comes as we trust God to change us. We will find our minds being renewed as we read the scripture and as we submit ourselves to the prompting of the Holy Spirit 4:22-23.

We must not allow anger to control us, we must deal with anger quickly so it does not give the devil opportunity to cause disunity and hurt. In His sermon on the mount Jesus warned about anger Mathew 5:22 . Instead Jesus said we are to love our enemies and do them good Mathew 6:44.

If the Holy Spirit is grieved it is often because we fail to treat others as Christ has treated us. The Holy Spirit will never leave us Hebrews 13:5. However if we cause grief to the Holy Spirit He will withdraw the sense of His presence from us. We should always endeavour to Love and forgive others just as Jesus has forgiven us. Luke 11:4

A verse to remember

You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous. holy, and true. Ephesians 4:24 N.L.T.

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The apostle Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison, he didn’t let anything stop him from serving the Lord, Do we have the same attitude as Paul ? He didn’t wait for ideal conditions he didn’t waste any time but made the most of his time in prison 4:1

When we first heard the gospel and who is was that shared it with us we should never forget that it was God himself who chose and called each and every one of us to be His children. To walk worthy of the call upon our lives means that we should follow Jesus in everything but especially in our love for each other. The “Call” is not the call to service but the call we responded to when first believed in Jesus Christ 4:1-2

I believe there is a clear difference however between the first Apostles and those of today. It was the first century Apostles who with the Old Testament Prophets were inspired to write the Bible. Today’s Ministers operating under the same anointing are forbidden by God to add to the cannon of scripture, this is for our safety as everything has to be tested by the Word of God. The five fold ministry is Christ’s gift to His Church to equip Her for the work of God.

Memory verse

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians chapter 4:2

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The mystery was the purpose of God’s will that was hidden in former times but has now been revealed in Christ for our understanding and application 3:3

In His perfect timing God revealed what previously had been hidden that Gentiles would receive an equal share with Jews in the body of Christ 3:6

As Gods children we have a personal role in spreading the good news to everyone, in so doing we are making known the wisdom of God in all its variety to the principalities and powers in the heavenly realms. We must never forget that we are seated together with Christ over every wicked thing in the heavenly places 3:10

We have the fullness of God because of Gods love and our union with Christ, and through the empowering of the Holy Spirit even though we may not fully understand it yet! 3:19

Memory verse

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20 N.K.V.

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Pause for Thought

Sometimes it is helpful to remember what a hopeless condition we were in before we first believed. Now because of Christ we are partakers with all Gods people of Gods covenant promises and we are included in the commonwealth of Israel. Once we were far off but now we have been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ 2:12-13.

In Christ there is no longer Jew or Gentile but One new Man created in Christ Jesus. Only New Creations are Kingdom people! Praise the Lord for His amazing grace! 2:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We have been built on the foundation of the Apostles and of the prophets I think this refers to those who were inspired as they wrote the bible. The New Testament Apostles and the Old Testament Prophets. Present day apostles and prophets do not add to scripture or build new foundations for the church these are already built 2:20 There is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in which He continues to fit us all together!

memory verse

By His death He ended the whole system of Jewish Law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new person from the two groups Ephesians 2:15

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Grace has been described as Gods Riches At Christs Expense, or Gods undeserved mercy, the bottom line is Grace describes the undeserved kindness of God in freely giving salvation.

We are given salvation as a free gift when we put our trust in Jesus, but we sometimes forget that faith itself is also a free gift! 2:8

We have been made alive “together” with Christ, He is our salvation. We are raised up “together” with Christ, this describes being partakers in the resurrection. We are seated together in heavenly places in Christ, this describes our Christ given authority over the enemy 1:21. These three “togethers” illustrate our union with Jesus Christ 2:5-6

Christians know that salvation is a free gift not earned by good works 2:9 Yet many think they have to prove they really are a Christian by doing good works. Now I’m sure God is not against good works it’s just that He wants us to do the good works He prepared in advance of us even before we were made alive in Christ 2:10

Gods works are full of Gods life, Dead works are the things we decide to do and void of the life of God!

Memory verse

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

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