Flattery, politico, ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ ideology, secular humanism  are all examples of mental corruption that really tear into a person. What appear on the senses level seem nice and advantageous but in absolute reality are flimsy manipulations of the mind. Truth is what genuinely builds individuals up in strength, boldness and success.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

What is corrupt communication? Like the verse says it is communication that doesn’t edify. So what is edification? It is life as it is built up on the strong, sound foundation of Jesus Christ.  All else is sinking sand. It is as simple as that!

To minister grace is to join someone to the power, rights and privileges of God.  It is the vital true way to walk in sonship and claim all the promises of God. As each member in the body of Christ rises up to his own individual trust, respect and love for God an environment of unfailing power prevails. It is a vital manifestation of the grace administration that we are now privileged to live.

We don’t need a huge cathedral with special lighting, pews, and a formal bell-ringing, liturgical service. God’s word says it take two or three gathered as the body of Christ to change the course of someone’s life. Maybe all you need is a living room, a coffee shop, hospital room, park, grocery store, school, dorm or wherever else people get together. It doesn’t matter. When God is in the middle of a small group of people, they can change the course of history!

Security and Esteem

"Most people with low self-esteem have earned it." is an interesting quote by George Carlin. It certainly has merit because it is about 'merit'. He is saying insecurity may be earned. It certainly doesn't come from grace! Thank God!

For people life may be a constant struggle to find security and meaning even when things are going well as well as when things are 

going bad. Without understanding what God really can impart to us when we believe, it can get pretty heart wrenching. Often well-meaning religious people push the hurt even deeper. 

I have met people who think they know all about God and their lives are wrapped up and focused on judgement and performance.

Because of what God wrought in Christ we don't have to swallow and accept this as 'life just as it is'!

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We don't have to earn anything, we just have to accept that something bigger than us has given us our value that is far greater than what we could gain from a title, wealth, prestige, education or from religion (Yes religion!). We just have to believe it and use it! It is not earned!
 Remember chapter 1:6 of Ephesians (What a book!) We are to be: 

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

So why waste all that effort on low self-esteem. Give it up! and read Ephesians!





Glory

In chapter 1 of Ephesians, the phrase 'to the praise of His glory' is used three times. In that chapter, there are some great things listed that God has done for us. A big one is that he has 'blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ'. We have been given the very nature of what He is in the form of a full measure of holy spirit. When we walk in the light and direction of this spirit we can do great things and bring the good pleasure of His will into view. That is why he makes us accepted when we trust the reality of the wholeness only He can provide for us and we become 'sealed with that holy spirit of promise'. It is all to be to the praise of His glory (His magnificent splendor). That is quite a privilege for us.

Ephesians 1:17-19That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

 We are a very blessed people! We have so much to offer people who are trapped or cornered or enveloped in heavy darkness. We are to the praise of His glory!

Isaiah 60:1-2 (Amplified Bible) ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.

Ephesians 4:15

Ephesians is a great book! It contains important keys to maturing as a Christian. You don't have to know Greek or Aramaic to understand its breath-taking truths. My favorite verse is Ephesians 4:15:

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

There is a beautiful 3-part  precept magnificently displayed in this verse. To grow up: 1) we speak, 2) the truth 3) in love. All three components are vital elements to our growth. We can speak the truth certainly. So can legalists, religionists, quoters; anyone can speak truth. We can speak in love, but we might be humanists, people pleasers, and even flatterers. We can love truth but how does that help anyone else or help us mature. We need all three elements if we want to really help people know God  better as we  mature  in the unselfish nature that Jesus Christ so exemplified.

Ephesians is Our Complete Package From God

Seated in the heavenlies

s

1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

2:5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Walking worthy

5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Able to Stand

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

E=mc2 (Ephesians=mystery x completelycompletelycomplete)

According to Einstein and his theory of relativity, matter is a manifestation of energy. Energy can manifest itself in a number of ways, light, heat, sound, electrically, chemically, etc. You can’t see energy, only the effects of it can be seen in matter.

How has God manifested Himself?  Light shone out of darkness, creation, a bush burned, the Red Sea parted, a still small voice whispered to Elijah, a man was raised from the dead, tongues of fire showed up on the day of Pentecost, and many, many, many other examples; not to mention the ones not written about. Think about in your own life, all those wonderful moments that you knew that something bigger than you was in operation in your life.

The greatest move of God is in the heart of an individual when he accepts the real deal of Jesus Christ getting up, ascending and sitting down on the right hand of God.  God needs matter to express His spirit. When we change our citizenship from this world to the one from above, we, as individuals manifest the nature of God through the spirit that takes up residence in our hearts. Collectively when we gather with others who know and respect how God works in each individual, God has room to work even bigger.  It is absolute brilliance!

There are a lot of books written about teamwork, management and relationships and they all have some good points on how to work with others. There is no mistaking the dynamics of a group that has the energy of God working in it. It also can be just as evident when God is not the force behind something.

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)28We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but it can be transformed. Thank God! Every person who believes becomes a dynamic force as God comes into manifestation in the senses realm through that person. Put a couple of people together that think this way and it is out of this world. It is what it means to be truly seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians).

Non-Conformist

In Romans 12:2 the Word says to not be conformed to this world. The word ‘conformed’ means molded or fashioned. We shouldn’t let the world mold our patterns of living. Instead be are to be changed by putting on the thoughts of God. Does this mean we run around acting pious and poor, flipping peace signs.  No! Emphatically No!

Someone who does not conform to this world has his thoughts well arranged.  He/she is secure in the love of God and does not enlist the tricks and tools of the fearful striving that goes on everywhere today.  There's no need to pressure, gossip, envy, suspect or compete with to become an achiever and insure his position in the world (II Corinthians 10:12). He is one who has God as the wind in his sails and enjoys the complete incredible freedom to live life to the fullest.

In Romans 8, the magna carta of freedom for the believer (our constitutional protection plan from God) , we can read that we are more than conquers in a number of situations, starting with mental pressure (tribulation). That is where everything starts. Ever feel like you are being pushed in a corner mentally? Or how about when things that seem to follow you around and push at you? (like the economy for example?)  Are there things that seem to hang over your head? Have you ever felt that like you are being carved up in little pieces (Romans 8:35)?  All the more reason to be persuaded to turn to God for answers. He is well aware of what’s going on and He provides excellent avenues of escape (I Corinthians 10:13).

Romans 8 feeds into Romans 12 (Romans 9-11 is a parenthesis dealing with Israel) In the understanding of what it means to be more than conqueror, we break out of the world's mold. Getting ‘born again’ (which  is a term much bandied about these days) gets us to the right place spiritually.  The location in which we are born determines our citizenship.  To be ‘born again’ changes our citizenship and our world. We have citizenship from someplace else. We are asked to become ambassadors from above. It is from this vantage point we can truly help others. Our heavenly culture is in our hearts and we share it with others who earnestly seek the freedom that we have.

Freedom

Recently, floating out on the Sound off the shores of Connecticut, I began thinking about the brave pilgrims and their courage and belief to worship God freely without bounds by traveling to an unknown land. Our ancestors focused on the promises and ability of God and pointed their bows to the clearing in the the sky with new hope for freedom. Sure there were a lot of clouds, but they looked for the 'sonshine'. That is what the renewed mind is. It is about  pointing your compass to the promised land of freedom allowing God to be the wind in your sails.


When I first heard about the renewed mind, my mind thought about the old days when heading out of the confessional feeling squeaky clean after having spilled the beans about how many sins I had committed. Oh glory, as if God is interested! He really is only interested in  repentance (oops, sorry, that word has been darkened and dramatized too). Repentance means a change of mind, a redirection to a more prosperous path, a path that He can shower one with blessings. He is happy about that!


The renewed mind is so much more than dealing with sin.  It is about the power of God reigning in your life without limits. Just look at Romans 12:2:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Reading the rest of Chapter 12, we are encouraged to get functioning in the body of Christ. What a joy it is to do that! There is so much life in those verses to be lived. Don't let anyone talk you out it. If they try, lovingly tell them to get their own renewed mind and get busy with their own exciting work. You have the God-given right to hear from God and uniquely utilize holy spirit from Him to help people.  You don't have to wear a backwards collar, put on a pointy hat, walk around with a pious puss, or even have a fancy title to help you renew your mind. Just hold on to the Word in your mind, act accordingly and when you run into a 'truth seeker' say "Greetings pilgrim, your search has landed!" "This is the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Service

Luke 10:38-42  ³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Gossiping about God

Will Rogers once said: "Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

 

I have listened to enough gossip about God all my life.  It wasn’t until I started listening to Him that I really got to know Him.  You can find His expressions everywhere. You can see Him physically in the creation.

 Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,

You can find Him in His Word that can illustrate Him to our minds:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 As we manifest His spirit in our lives, we see Him and so do others.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

If we want we can have the complete package in our physical, mental and spiritual life. We are three part humans that have the privilege to completely know God.

When someone else tells you something about someone, it may or may not be true. That’s the danger of gossip. It is always a wise choice to go to the source. I don’t want to hear gossip about God. I want to know Him.  We may listen to a few parrots for a while but in the end the best teachers are not gossips or parrots. They are ones who always direct you to the source.

El Shaddai

When we look at Genesis 17, who is the star of the show?  Throughout the Old Testament there are great examples of people walking under the powerful wings of God.  Yet so often people read about what Abraham did and Joseph did and all those who received the promises of God and then they magnify the act rather than the source. What they did was simple because they did just one simple thing – relied on God’s all-sufficiency and power to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of.

What was going on around Abraham was Abraham’s culture and challenges. The same was true of Joseph. None of these men were gods. They were examples because they  knew and applied the heart of God to their particular situations. God doesn’t want us to roam around the Arabian Peninsula or mosey around Egypt to exhibit our believing.  He wants us to look to Him in the details of our own lives with believing expectation and confidence.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

The word “perfect” does not really mean what we think it means (Thank God for that!). If you look at the Hebrew word, this word means whole, sound, or complete.

Somethings in life are challenging, BUT God is our all-sufficiency. He is our El-Shaddai! We live in a different era than Abraham or Joseph. We live in the grace administration. This is a uniquely powerful time to live. Through the work of Jesus Christ we have unlimited resources. Our lives are laid out in
Ephesians 3:20.

 Now unto him (God) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

So what is our need? Job? Place to live? Relationship? Please don’t go stoic on God, he doesn’t need you to do a ton of  pious sacrifices to prove your love. Just believe that He truly is your sufficiency!