Granny's Place

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Living For God Every Day

Study 4..The major emphasis of this study is to answer the question, “What does living for God every day mean?�?Read Ephesians 5: 1-20, with focal verses being 1-12, 15-18.

Living as a child of God means becoming more Christlike in the way we think and act every day. The purpose of this study is to help you identify one area in which you will seek to become more Christlike in your thinking and acting every day.

If you were to write your intentions for each day of this week on your calendar, what could you put? Are your daily plans consistent? Perhaps you are like I am. I sincerely desire to live for God every day, but some days the hours slip by and the day is gone when I realize that I have not done anything really significant for the Lord Jesus Christ.

An old deacon is our church used to pray that God would forgive our sins of omission as well as commission. By that, he meant that some sins are what we do that we should not, and other sins are what we do not do that we should. Some Christians seem to sin more by omission than by commission. The Bible plainly states: �?FONT color=#0000cc>Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins�?(Jas. 4:17). It also says: �?FONT color=#000099>Everything that does not come from faith is sin�?(Rom. 14:23). As believers, we may sin simply by doing nothing or by thinking, acting, or speaking below the level of faith.

God wills that we live by faith in an affirmative manner that honors Him and blesses other people. Ephesians 5: 1-2 says, �?FONT color=#000099>be ye therefore followers (imitators) of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself to God for a sweet-smelling savor�? How do we know the Father? We know Him through Jesus, God’s only begotten son (John 14: 6-14) and through the Scriptures (Psalm 119:11; 2 Tim. 3: 16-17)! How do we imitate the Father? We imitate the Father by following His Son Jesus�?example. God’s Word says; �?FONT color=#0000cc>Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps�?(1 peter 2:21). God’s Holy Spirit will empower us to follow Jesus�?example when we let Him (Eph. 4: 30, 5:18).

I pray that this study will help you seek to become more Christlike in your thinking and acting every day. Preparing this study has helped me have that desire. God Bless All. Love in Christ Sister Betty.

Lesson1-Study 4-Continued:

Live In Love: Ephesians 5:1-2.

We can be like the Father because we are His “dearly loved children�?(Eph. 5:1). How wonderful!! Twice God called Jesus His beloved Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5 KJV). Through receiving Jesus as Savior, we become God’s dearly beloved children (John 1:12-13). In love, God “predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to praise his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves�?(Eph. 1:5-6). We are beloved in Jesus, God’s beloved Son; therefore we seek to be like Him in every way.

Christ’s love for us was so great that He willingly became the substitution sacrifice in our place (Eph. 5:2). He died that we might live. God accepted His sacrificial death as “a fragrant offering and sacrifice�?(v.2) and forgives our sin when we receive Jesus as our Savior.

Sometimes when things happen in our lives that we have no control of, like health problems or job loss, we tend to grow despondent. We need to remember that we are a dearly beloved child of God and renew our faith.

If, for some reason, you have not received Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins and as your Savior, you could find no better time than now. If you are already saved, what could you do to become more like Jesus? Ask God for all the resources you need to live a more Christlike life.

Live In Purity: Ephesians 5: 3-7.

God expects His children to live in love and purity. Holy God also expects His children to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-15; 1John 3:3). God’s grace that brings salvation “teaches us to say ‘No�?to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives�?(Titus 2:11-12).

Paul pulled no punches; he warned against immorality, impurity, and covetousness. He indicated that bad behavior and bad language have no place among Christians. Today you can hardly turn on the television without hearing disgusting, filthy talk and seeing lewd pictures. In many conversations you hear God’s name taken in vain. I hear it when I’m out shopping or at car repair, about any where I go these days, except church - of course. In many cases I’ve gone to the manager and ask him/her to speak to the person.

In condemning foolish talk and course joking, Paul was not speaking of light-hearted “cutting up�?or good-natured fun, like we do here at Granny’s. He was referring to filthiness, grossness, and baseness of crude speech (v.4). He suggested an alternative: thanksgiving (v.4). When you are tempted to sidestep God’s standards, immediately thank God for His presence and “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory�?(1 Peter 1:8, KJV). His Holy Spirit will help you keep your mind focused on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4: 8).

I will continue in the next post, this one is getting too long.

False teachers were teaching that believer can get by with anything. Paul warned his readers not to let anyone fool them with vain words. In a stinging denunciation, he warned the to stay away from “those who are disobedient�?because God’s wrath will fall upon them (v.6).

We should continue our witness to those who disobey God, but we must not join with them as partners in wickedness (v.7). Most believers our age are rooted and grounded in the faith, but we can be swayed unless we exercise care. Most of our sins will probably not be the sins of the flesh but, sins of spirit and attitude such as hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, self pity, worry, dissensions, factions, envy, and sins of the tongue such as gossip and harmful remarks to others (Gal. 5:19-21; Jas. 3). You may think of others that I’ve not listed here.

How about an inventory? Pause for a moment and let us pray: “Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.�?(Psalm. 139:23-24).

If He reveals sin, confess it, forsake it, and receive by faith His forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to live for Him. (see 1 John 1:9).

continued in next post...

Live In Light: Ephesians 5: 8-12.

The scriptures refer to God as light (Ps. 27:1). The Spirit led John to describe Jesus as “the light that gives light to every man�?(John 1:9). Jesus said He is “the light of the world (John 8:12).

Darkness is opposite of light, often symbolizes evil in God’s word (v. 8). In the darkness of night, many evil deeds are committed. Though daytime crime in America has escalated, with the school shootings, and more recent, the “sniper�?this week around the Washington DC area, more crimes take place at night.

Speaking of Himself, Jesus explained to Nicodemus: “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil�?(John 3:19). The Master further specified that evildoers hate the light because they do not want their deeds exposed. Whoever lives by the truth steps into the light so he or she can let the world realize that GOD is working in him or her. Paul declared that all believers “are light in the Lord�?(v.8).

concluded in next post....

Live With Care: Ephesians 5:15-18.

Nobody has to tell us that life seems to fly by. This feeling is not new. Even in Paul’s day, the Spirit impressed him to counsel the believers to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to live for Jesus because time passes so quickly.

Though we are children of the Light, believers live in a sin-darkened world. This calls for wisdom and strength beyond ourselves. Jesus Christ makes such assistance available through the Holy Spirit.

As we are empowered by the Spirit, we can live triumphantly for the glory of Christ.

Wisdom to live for Christ is not simply an intellectual achievement. Wisdom is God’s gift that helps us apply knowledge and make decisions in keeping with His will. God promised to give wisdom to those who ask for it in faith (Jas. 1:5-8).

True wisdom begins with the fear of God and results in holy living (see Job 28:28; Prov. 4:5-19; 8:1-36).

We must seize every opportunity to do good because the days are as evil today as they were in biblical times. We have no idea of how long we have left. An old saying puts it well: �?I>Only one life. T’will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.�?We need to do God’s will today.

Wisdom leads to knowing and doing God’s will. The wise person lives in fellowship with God and exercises self-control. Paul urged believers: “Do not get drunk..instead, be filled with the Spirit�?/U> (v.18).

Being Spirit-filled is vastly superior to being drunk with alcohol or high on drugs. The joy such an experience brings is lasting. Being filled with the Holy Spirit results in music that builds up people, causes joy and thanksgiving to God, and motivates mutual submission of believers, especially in the home (Eph. 5:18 - 6:4). If you are a believer living in a home of non-believers, don’t give up, keep praying and seeking God. God promised to save our whole house hold, if we keep our faith and live with care for Him. Thank God for those that are saved. Pray for those who are not.

Following these spiritual guidelines will bring an added dimension to you life as you seek to live in Love, Purity, Light, and Care. Ask the Spirit to fill you and help you to determine one area in which you will seek to become more Christlike in daily thinking and acting.

Now then, Lesson 1-Study 5 is “Telling My World About Jesus. This study will start tomorrow. What are you doing to help other people know Jesus? Read these Scriptures for introduction, Mark 5:18-20, Mathew 28:16-20, and 3 John. What do those Scriptures mean to you today? Write your definition of “a Great Commission Christian.�?Are You one? God Bless, Love in Christ, Sister Betty.

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
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