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Rufas Random Rantings - 5/25/2009 6:10:00 PM
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Rufas2000
Posts: 487
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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Just thought I'd start posting my My Space blog. Feel free to send any comments along. I might start a comment thread if there is enough interest but last time there wasn't. So here it is, enjoy.
Ephesians
As I've mentioned earlier (in my My Space blog) I did an in depth (well in depth for me) study on Ephesians. There is so much more meaning and power in the Scriptures when they are studied in depth rather than just read. I'm now beginning on Hebrews, already learned some stuff. Anyway here it is in some sort of chaotic order (if I can read my writing)
Chapter 1
Salvation was not a plan B or an "oh no I never expected the humans to be this bad" sort of deal. It was the plan from the beginning. Its all part of the plan of God revealing Himself. Only through Christ's atonement are we redeemed (3-5). Once we accept that atonement God sends the Holy Spirit to us. It is the seal of His covenant (13-14). The study Bible I'm using states that a seal indicates possession (marking who owns the sealed item) and security (seals make it harder to open the item, how much so depends on the seal, God's seal, you do the math).
18-23 are the "power" verses (actually they're all "power verses" but you know). Paul uses the very powerful metaphor "eyes of your heart". Lets look at this. Sight is the most important sense. Think about all the things you wouldn't be able to do without it. But its also requires focus. While we have limited periphirial vision we normally have to actively look at something before we see it or at least see it clearly. By contrast hearing and smelling can activate without us focusing those senses. The heart is of course a metaphor for emotion or life itself as it pumps the blood throughout our body. So Paul wants us to focus on something (eyes) and look at it from a perspective that supercedes our intellect (heart). So what does Paul want us to see with the "eyes of our heart"? From verse 18 - 19 (NASB):
... You will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. (19) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe ...
Verse 19 isn't done; it concludes by saying:
These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.
Verse 20 explains what happened as a result of the "strength of His might":
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
The strength of His might conquers death. It is said the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Not so, you can evade taxes and we don't have to die. Ever. Verses 21 and 22 explains that God has given Jesus authority from now until infinity and (end of 22):
gave Him as the head over all things to the church
and in 23 concludes:
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
When the eyes of my heart saw that God has given all power to Jesus and that the church is the Body of Christ I was blown away! Everything is under Christ and we are Christ's Body so everything is under us as Christ followers (to borrow a term used at New Walk). I'm not saying that I'm beginning my healing ministry tomorrow or that I'm going to find Osama or even that I'll take my BMW now. Because we are only effective (and effectively part of the body) when we are doing God's will. If we all could exercise Christ's power at all times it would take about 10 minutes for us to create Heaven on earth. Or because we are sinful we might forget what Jesus taught and use our new found power to create hell on earth. That's just one caveat. And this letter later explains the ins and outs of the power invested in the body of believers. But what it says to me is that anything I have been purposed to do I have the power to do. I can overcome any obstacle, perhaps not as easily or decisively as I would like but I can overcome it because of the inheritance I received when I became a Christian.
Of course I already knew that in theory and if that question were on the test I'd ace it. However, when you discover that truth through "the eyes of your heart" it has a bigger impact than you can possibly imagine. Merely reading a book cannot impart this, your pastor cannot tell you this, Seminary cannot teach you this it has to be discovered by your spirit through diligent prayer and reading of the Scripture. Through the attitude of 'I'm going to study this and I refuse to stop until you show me Your truth, I demand a blessing (Jacob), a double portion of your spirit (Elisha). A demand not out of irreverence but out of obedience, knowing that God wants to reveal Himself to His children. It was His plan all along.
Just to wrap up, I foolishly thought one blog would cover all 6 chapters. I quickly learned that it would overwhelm reader and writer alike. Feel free to point out any mistakes I may have made, either by commenting or by discussion in real life. I'm not afraid to say I'm no expert and I do not want to lead anyone astray. I'm simply sharing what God showed me in Ephesians. Pray for me as I'm going on a fast tomorrow with the intent of controlling my thoughts and not letting my mind wander where it shouldn't.
Until next time.
_____________________________
Be my friend!
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RE: Rufas Random Rantings - 5/25/2009 6:14:36 PM
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Rufas2000
Posts: 487
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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And a second one. Again I reference the My Space blog so if I said something I didn't say thats because I didn't say it here, I said it there.
A Confession
My experience the past week has been unbelievable. I've committed to studying the Bible in depth, praying in depth and getting my booty up off the sidelines and doing something. Something happened to me tonight I feel I need to share. The other stuff will come later. I want to do that stuff justice (and I need to get this off my chest).
Please note that while I really want to share this at the same time I'm a bit apprehensive because it is a bit embarassing and those that are close to the situation (who might be reading) should easily figure out who I'm talking about. If I had a choice I'd rather they didn't know but I got nothing to hide anymore.
Most of you who read this blog (both of you) know that one of my heart's desires has been a relationship. With a lady. Of course. I only fly one way. When I find someone I really like I think about her and me and hope that somehow we're together. I dwell on it quite a bit. If something good happens I get real excited, if something negative happens I get upset. I'm better than I used to be about acting on these emotions but they still take their toll on me. More importantly they distract me.
Unfortunately I'm not the only one who knows this. The devil is also aware of this weakness and uses it to attack me. And the devil always attacks when we are getting closer to God. His goal is to keep us far far away from God. The devil is jealous and petty. He hates the fact that God chose us and so the devil wants to spoil the party. He cannot be redeemed but we can.
Well I met someone at one of the connection groups I attend. A connection group is like a weeknight Sunday School class at someone's house. I find her very cute and open. I really liked her and I was getting to know her a bit. My mind began to do as it does. At the same time I am getting into the Scriptures, praying, renewing my relationship with God. I knew the devil would use my feelings against me. I was ready for whatever would happen. What I apparently was unready for was her coming to group with another guy.
I have to admit I was thrown for a loop. Pretty badly although I think I passed it off as fatigue well enough (I was tired for a few reasons, that may have been why it threw me so badly) but it was the disappointment. It didn't help that she started acting all cute like. I even named the wrong Bruce Springsteen song (I said "Dancing in the Dark" and it was "Glory Days" and I know those real well). But then I fully believe those scriptures I had read all week kicked in. I had power to shift my focus from this to God. I couldn't have done that if I wasn't in the Word and prayer (in general and about this). No way, I can't deal with something like that cleanly. I remembered why I'm here and why I was there. I'm part of the Body and its time to start being a part.
As I was driving home it came to me. God did this FOR ME. He still loves me after all the times I've let Him down. All the failed promises, all the false starts. My Heavenly Father still loves me. He knew I needed help, He knew I couldn't overcome this on my own. So He helped me. He made it a fair fight. I still have to deal with it, after all I could convince myself they aren't together. But if she's with somebody (or if I think she is) I can overcome much easier. I can get back to getting closer to God without that distraction. I can be worth having a relationship with. I can actually give something to it.
The most amazing thing is the girl I really like was with another guy and I thank God for it. And I praise Him for being able to thank Him for it. That doesn't even make sense.
I'm adding this in later. I realize that this sounds very much like I think everything happens for my benefit. I don't think that at all. What I know is that God works all things for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28). This is what I'm looking at, not that God specifically orchestrates events for my benefit. But God is so powerful He can take what happens and do a mighty work for / with all involved.
I feel more than ever that I will find the relationship that I seek. And I even am beginning to think that it will be soon. I need prayer that I can resist the temptation to look for it and concentrate on fulfilling God's purpose. Only when I'm not focused on it will I be able to find it and have it work.
Thanks for reading.
BTW: If you've ever felt reprived you know how I feel. God forgives for all the inaction and indifference. He forgives and takes you back. The door is open we just have to walk through.
_____________________________
Be my friend!
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