Welcome!
Today: A “new self” to replace the old
Passage: Eph 4
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4, NIV)-emphasis added
The Church in Ephesus was originally the result of Paul’s visit and the hard work of a couple – Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18-20)
Paul himself was able to stay and preach/teach them the word for almost three years (Acts 20)
The health of a Church depends very much on what is taught and how it is taught. The teachers have the rudder in their hands, which decides the direction in which the church goes
The life and commitment of the leadership affects the church
Jesus Christ is our standard; the word of God is a sure standard
When the Church deviates from that standard, it becomes less effective and less productive. To bear fruit, you need to water, nurture and prune a tree
When Christ is truly lifted up, people will be drawn in
Church, as the body of Christ must be the place where people get their deliverance. During the ministry of Jesus, the disciples could not handle some of the issues but Jesus himself healed/delivered such people. Today, the Church is in that place. What others reject, we should be able to handle
The reason why we are powerless today is because our focus/vision has changed. We are in to so many things and plans of our own!
I normally talk to my kids about the importance of living what we preach
They observe their parents closely and carefully. If we fail, they fail as well!
With Christ in us, we are supposed to have a new self, a new attitude. There is so much “ministry” going on, but the attitude has not changed.
Unless the fruit of the Spirit is in us, the gifts don’t do much good
Our prayers will work better, when we are filled with love and compassion
That is why the best people to pray for a person are people within the family
Whenever Jesus healed somebody who was unable to come to Jesus, there was somebody else very close to that person, pleading to Jesus
Have we sincerely prayed for our own yet?
God bless your day!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for making me part of your family. Thank you for being my best friend and my brother. You are there when I need you the most, and even when I forget you! Fill me with your attitude/character. Amen