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The places you will go

Ephesians 3:20-21 (AMP) Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

I have been doing a deep dive in the book of Ephesians over the last few months. I am taking it one verse at a time. In doing so, I have learned a lot of about Christ and the fullness that He wants in our lives. On that note, we have have centered so much on that fullness, that we have become self centered in our relationship with Him. Let us look at the above verse for instance. How much do you think that verse is really about us? Look at it again, it starts out “Now to HIM….” That’s right, it is about Him and His glory. We are the benefits He receives, not the other way around.

Matthew 17:2-3 (AMP) And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

There were a few men that walked really close with Jesus. Jesus even showed them His true form on this mountain. His appearance changed dramatically in their presence. There are surface level relationships that we can have, and then there are deep intimate relationships. The level is dependent on the mutual understanding of both parties. The second part of this is the most exciting to me. Moses was able to step his feet into the promised land.

Psalms 37:4-5 (AMP) Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him also and He will do it.

Where I am, I see a lot of people concerned about where they are going to go in life. Are they going to experience all they want to experience? Moses got to be in the promised land, and it was with Jesus. I have learned that when I find myself rooted in Him, my life is much bigger than I could ever have imagined. I am no longer concerned about visiting Paris, as I had dreamed about in high school, I would rather go somewhere that He can get the glory for. When we took out trip to the Dominican, we had so many opportunities to share the gospel. We were given a heart for the people there and are looking forward to going back this Christmas. This time we are going to take our boys. When it is about Him, then we look outside our ourselves. How we see ourselves in Christ will determine where we will go.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

His Kingdom is rooted in the person of Christ. The Isrealites reached the physical promised land and still they were not satisfied. They kept searching for other forms of worship to make them whole, and to fulfill their every desire. Jesus came so that we can rest in the promised land (Hebrews 4:1-11), it is found in Him. No more striving. No more searching. No more being hungry and thirsty. Just Him. The fullness of the Kingdom of God is found in Him. Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think. Then you will go places you never dreamed of, and you will have a heart for people you never thought you would.

God, our Creator and our Lord, You are so Mighty and Awesome. We worship Your Holy Name today. We want to glorify You will all that is within us. Thank You for Your Son, that we have become a part of Your Wonderful family. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that reveals the deep knowledge of Your Mercy and Loving-kindness. We repent for being self seeking in our actions and deeds when it comes to Kingdom life. We have fallen into the same trap as the Pharisees in doing so. We want the fullness we have to be a deep reflection of who you are. To You all the glory. To You all the honor. Let our attitudes and character reflect that of You. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. We choose faith today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Road Trip

Ephesians 4:32 (AMP) Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

We can know all the scriptures, but if we do not put them into practice, we only have head knowledge. This is why experiences are important. My youngest son is starting back to school today. The past month I have taken him on some short trips to spend some quality time. In doing so we have met some really interesting people.

This past week my husband, myself and my youngest son took a drive through the Appalachian Mountains to do the 127 Yard Sale. We drove up to Frankfort, Kentucky and made our way down back home. We started on a Wednesday (to do some fun family things on the way up) and was home by Saturday. We spent every moment together, including many hours together on the road.

We met some really interesting people. We met a couple that retired from working for Disney. They were the coolest couple and shared of their many stories from working at Disney Land and Disney World. We got some pretty unique items from them, some to keep and some for our reselling business. We even talked to some people that transplanted from Alabama. Some people were a joy to talk with and some had hatred in them and it showed. One couple talked with ignorance and we introduced a different perspective, it was a great dialogue opportunity and we were able to share how life is how you perceive it. They could tell something was different and we shared the goodness of God. A few were deep rooted in their hatred and it was uncomfortable, and we grieved for them.

While we were gone we did see what was going on via social media. We talked about why it is important not to repeat a matter. We talked about why it is important to be informed before forming an opinion on a headline. We talked about still loving others even if you do not agree on an issue, and we should not treat anyone different because of that disagreement.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (AMP)  Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

Loving like this is not easy. That is why Paul prayed like he did in Ephesians 3 (see verses 14-19). God desires for us to live full lives, rooted in Him. Without the deep knowledge of that love (through experience) we cannot love completely. We cannot even love ourselves right. This love is beyond natural comprehension and that is why Paul prayed for the power for us to comprehend it. We have to grow in the understanding of that love. We are to take hold of the truth and then define our lives on it. It no longer is something we have to contemplate, that fullness is practical, it is a reality. He makes us whole.

Ephesians 3:19 (AMP) and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

(TPT) How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding – this extravagant love pouts into you until you are filled to overflowing in the fullness of God!

Jesus was full of compassion. Empathy is not a weakness and neither is compassion. “Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view, and imagine yourself in their place. Essentially, it is putting yourself in someone else’s position and feeling what they are feeling (www.verywellmind.com).” Compassion literally means “to suffer together” (Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life).

Matthew 9:36 (AMP) When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd.

We spent four days together, but we got to meet people. People matter. How can we fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) without meeting people? We learned a lot about each other and about others. We did not look out for just our own interests, but were able to be a light to those that needed encouragement. What words do people use to describe how you make them feel? Do you leave people and they feel encouraged or do they feel drained? Are you the one that is demanding all of the attention or our you willing to be the support someone really needs? Are you about letting others get the first pick?

It was a great four days. We have just a couple more years until he graduates. There are so many more lessons that we need to teach him, but compassion and empathy have been two that we have modeled since he was a toddler. It takes a lifetime to perfect it, and we are still growing in it ourselves. We are have been graced for this through the empowerment of Christ. Live life to the fullest!

Father, our Creator, our Master and our Jehovah, You are so Marvelous and full of Majesty. We desire to honor You with our words and our deeds. Thank You for Your Son, who lived and became Your Love in human form. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and our Guide. Thank You for the revelation knowledge that we receive when we apply Your Word. Search every part of us and mold us. You are the potter and we want to be strong in You. Break off the pieces and reform them into Your image. We repent for making life all about us and not living in the full potential that You Love can only bring. We choose forgiveness today. We choose faith today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.