Paul

Let it Go

 1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
 
I love making lists. Task lists, pro and con lists, project lists, even lists of goals I would like to accomplish in the coming year. However, there is another type of list that is not very helpful. Some people make a list of individuals who have done wrong against them. They may refer to it as a grudge list or black list. You may not have a physical or handwritten list but many keep a mental list in their head. Your l
Tags:  Let it Go, Paul, 1 Corinthians, Love

Switching Tracks

Acts 9:5-6  “Who are you Lord?  “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  Now get up and go to the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

Tags:  Switching Tracks, Acts, Saul, Paul, Life's Direction

Prayer - Your Secret Weapon

Ephesians 6:18-20 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
 
During World War 2, the Nazis were working on a secret weapon for conquering England and winning the war. It was called the V-3 gun.
 
The V-3 gun was a huge cannon that was over a football field and a half long. It was so big that much of it had to be built underground.
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, Prayer

The Good Life: Vacation

 Ephesians 5:15 ”Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise.” 
 
I love vacation! You probably do too! There are few things better than breaking away from the work and stress of everyday life to get a little rest and relaxation. On a good vacation it feels like time moves slow. The days are packed with memories with those you love and the “real world” seems far away. When I think about the Good Life I think about vacations. The only problem is that the challenges of life do not really go away. They still exist back home, but we just get to
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, The Good Life, Vacation

Live Different

Ephesians 4:17 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do.” 
 
I’m always impressed by “before and after” pictures. Whether they are weight loss, home improvement, or a business flip. When someone or something changes it takes a lot of effort to achieve the goal. 
 
The Apostle Paul understood this personally. Midway through his life he experienced a life changing transformation. For us he is a living example of how Jesus can change a person. The change was obvious. Instea
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, Live Different, Transformation

The Good Life

Ephesians 4:1  “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” 

What comes to mind when you think of “The Good Life?”   Maybe it’s giving up the rat race early to live on the beach?  Or maybe it’s a life of wealth, pleasure, comfort, and independence.  The reality, however, is that comfort and leisure are fine but we are created for more than that! 

Tags:  The Good Life, United, Ephesians, Paul

From “Other” to “Brother”

Ephesians 2: 12-13  “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
 
Have you ever studied a “What is the difference” picture? I love these puzzles where you look at two pictures and try to find the subtle differences in each. It is amazing how hard you have to look to notice some of the smallest changes. 
 
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, Differences, The Cross

No One Can Boast

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
 
I love the satisfaction of a job well done. After mowing the lawn or mulching the beds I often walk in the street in front of my house to take in the fruit of my labor. It feels good to do a good job on yard work, a school project, or in the office, but what about faith? 
 
Paul was writing to a group of believers and reminds them that there is nothing th
Tags:  Boast, Sales Pitch, Paul, Ephesians

What the Future Looks Like

Ephesians 1: 18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” 
 
Have you ever wanted to know the future? We as humans are fascinated with the future. We try to predict it, shape it, and even control it! Many of us spend significant amounts of energy worrying about a future that never happens. So, what is next in our lives? What does the Bible say our future looks like
Tags:  Ephesians, The Future, Paul, Inheritance, Eternity