Hello Life House Family,
Time is going by so quickly. We are almost through the first quarter of 2024. How did that happen? As I am writing this email the sunshine is pouring in my window. Even though it is very cold today it is a blessing to have the brightness of a sunny day. It is a picture of what is going on in the earth. It is “cold” outside when we observe the natural condition of the world. We continually need to take in the Son- shine of His Presence to lift us out of all the natural circumstances around us.
I love the truths in book of Ephesians. The first three chapters speak to us about our redemption in Christ and our position in Him. He is the hope of our calling. We have been made alive in Christ. By His grace we have been saved and raised up together and made to sit in heavenly place in Christ Jesus. We have been made near by the blood of Christ.(Eph.2:5,6,10) It also says that He is our peace, abolishing the enmity that existed before the cross. Enmity means: becoming an enemy, opposite of friendship. Praise God for the Finished work of Calvary. We stand on the other side of the cross redeemed! No longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. We have been given such a rich inheritance in Christ.
Chapters 4 and 5 give us instructions on how to walk in relationship and cultivate a lifestyle consistent with our new life in Christ.
In chapter 6, Paul exhorts us to take up the armor of God and stand through our union with Him. At the end of this letter Paul asks for prayer to be able to speak boldly when given entrance to proclaim the gospel. There are so many life lessons on how to live out our Christian faith. Paul makes it clear that we didn’t earn or work for the rescue, it’s God’s undeserved favor from beginning to end. As we read this book we are reminded of our identity in Christ. This identity is crucial in our ongoing struggle with spiritual darkness .We stand on victory ground because of the high price Jesus paid, so we could be free. Paul was such an example of this victory, as this letter was written from prison.
Let us spend time reading and meditating on this rich portion of scripture to bring encouragement to our hearts.
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father , Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all You are and All You have done to redeem us. You bought us back from the enemies hold on our lives. You paid the debt so we could go free. Jesus You Love us, this we know! Your amazing Grace sustains us daily. We look to You for the strength to walk through all life’s circumstances.
We lift up our Life House Families that are going through hard times and call on Your mercy. You are our strength when we are weak. We look to you to sustain us in the battles. We ask for miracles of healing for those who are battling illnesses, surgeries, and for those who need emotional healing as well. Be the God of all comfort to those who are grieving losses.
Thank you for the blood of Christ that cleanses us from all iniquities. We are so glad we are a part of Your body of believers. Draw us close to You and to each other. Thank you that You see us as originals and don’t ask us to be like anyone else other than You. Continue to wash us from competition and comparisons as they are deadly to healthy relationships. Thank you for level ground relationships. Continue to teach us to go deeper and wider in these truths.
Help us Lord to always be aware of the Victory You bought for us. We take authority over a victim mentality and thank you that we aren’t victims anymore. We are marked forever with Your love! Help us never to forget it. Your super abundant grace is working in us . You, Lord are our source of everything. We worship You and declare our love for you ! Be Glorified in us we pray. In Your mighty Name .Amen
Blessings , Cheryl
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