Ephesians 4:7-10, Karlyn

Good Afternoon Girlz!!!  Sorry I've been hit and miss, I'm gonna have to start doing this at night instead of mornings!! 

S - Loving-favor has been given to each one of us. We can see how great it is by the gift of Christ. The Holy Writings say, “When Christ went up to Heaven, He took those who were held with Him. He gave gifts to men.” When they say, “He went up,” what does it mean but that He had first gone down to the deep parts of the earth? Christ Who went down into the deep also went up far above the heavens. He did this to fill all the world with Himself.

O- This passage is so convicting to me!  I complain way to often about piddly things and things that aren't eternally valid!  I need to remember the sacrifice and Christ made and just how far his love reaches out to me.  It really is wide, high, long, and deep!  I'm so thankful he filled the world with himself!

A - I need to focus my thoughts on praising and honoring Christ with my thoughts, actions and words.  Anytime I begin to complain or feel self pity I need to move my focus to him because of the favor he has shown me!

P - Lord I praise you for your sacrifice and I thank you for giving your love and favor to me!  Help me to honor you and not be self centered!

Ginny - Ephesians 4:7-10

S - Loving-favor has been given to each one of us. We can see how great it is by the gift of Christ. The Holy Writings say, “When Christ went up to Heaven, He took those who were held with Him. He gave gifts to men.” When they say, “He went up,” what does it mean but that He had first gone down to the deep parts of the earth? Christ Who went down into the deep also went up far above the heavens. He did this to fill all the world with Himself.

O - Down and then up. He came down to Earth to fulfill God's plan, and then went up so that we might join Him one day.

A - I'm looking forward to that day! What joy to know there is a spot waiting on me! While I'm here I want to live, enjoying life, spreading His Good News, and then one day live in His Kingdom with Him forever. Glory!

P - Lord, in the meantime may I be a good servant. May I take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way to be a light for You. Lord, I pray for doors to open & experiences to come that I never dreamed of. I don't want a mundane life. I want one that is lived for You to the fullest. Put me in the right place at the right time. Love You.

Ginny - Ephesians 4:4-6

S - There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

O - There is one true God and in Him all holds together.

A - How much we try to add to this. Our works and efforts. Our reasoning and our fixes. But it's all Him. Nothing more is needed.

P - Lord thank You for making it all complete in You. Thank You for not leaving any loose ends. Thank You for being the start & the finish.

Ginny - Ephesians 4:1-3

Good Morning Girlz!!!

S - Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

O - "Showing tolerance for one another in love" - I need this tatooed on my head! This verse is very timely for me. This past weekend I went to visit my good friend Christi. I love Christi! Such a fun girl. The only thing is she has a very dominating personality to the point where she feels like she should tell me what to say, where to stand, when to talk, when to not, blah, blah, blah. Great girl, but I've learned to take the good with the bad and it's worth it. O.K. well Sunday lunch at the restaurant she tells me where to sit and I couldn't be quiet anymore. In a very fun, casual tone I go, "Christi, I love how you tell me where to sit. I want to say, I'm 33. I'm 33." Well, she blew it off - kinda. I'm not exactly sure, but the moment it came out I wish I hadn't said anything. I should have held my tongue. I wasn't saying it out of love. I was saying it out of irritation.

A - O.K. first off the fact that he said "showing tolerance" leads me to believe Paul knew we were going to have patience and hold our tongue in situations. I'm not always so good at this. In my selfish mind I get to thinking so and so needs to hear my point of view. Wrong! If it is going to hurt that person's feelings shouldn't I just keep quiet? Oh, I struggle with this. By the grace of God, it is better than last semester. I really can see where the Lord has grown me in this area, but I still slip up. I still interject things that weren't necessary and they certainly don't spread love. Instead they quinched the spirit.

P - Lord please give me patience to wait and ask myself my motive. Am I going to help the situation or just be noise? Lord, I don't know what others are going through. I don't know what kind of day they have had or all that is on their mind. Help me be mindful and to hold my tongue.

Ginny - Ephesians 3:20-21

S - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

O - IMMEASURABLY MORE! I love that! No matter what we can think of that would just be awesome, God can come up with something even better. His ideas are the best!

A - Verse 20 will always be one of my favorites. It gives me such hope! There is excitement in the verse to always look forward to what is to come.

P - Lord thank You for blessing me. Thank You for all the "immeasurabley mores" You have bestowed on me.

Yay for the good report on Sawyer & Knox! I hope the weekend keeps that theme :) Cindy, still praying for you and Jared and Owen. Hope it's a good, peaceful weekend. Jenifer & Amber - praying for y'all girls too! Stomach bug is gone and I'm headed to Colorado to visit a friend. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Karlyn

S - Now all glory to God who is able through his mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever amen!

O - More than I ask or think.  Why do I put God in a box?  I want to more fully rely on his mighty power that he uses in me to accomplish more than I can think to ask or even conceive in my mind.

A - For me to rely more on his power I've got to let go of control and what I think is best.  The first thing I need to think is God how do you want this accomplished or God this is what I'd like to do how can your power make it happen better than I can plan it.  I can't even imagine how my life would change if this was my daily approach!

P - Lord thank you that your power is infinitely more than I can ask or think.  Help me to change my mindset and fully rely on your power to accomplish what you want done in my life and in others!  Change my life Lord!

So...I'm exhausted but I'm so thankful because the boys have been so good at home not fighting, playing really good together, and just making me smile.  So thanks for all the prayers because I feel them!  Have a fabulous weekend, Ginny I hope there's no more stomach virus!  Cindy I hope you are recovering well.

Ephesians 3:19 - Karlyn

Good Afternoon!  Welcome Baby Owen!

S - May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

O - My Bible cross references Eph 1:23 And the church is his body it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
There are times when I don't feel full.  The lack of fullness is the lack of time I've put forth to fill myself with His Word.  I've really been feeling that lately because my schedule is all out of whack and I'm not getting my study time in the mornings right now. 

A - For me to fully experience his love and fullness of life I've got to stay in the word even if that means just focusing on one verse all day long.  With lent season being here, this year I felt like it was more important for me to purposefully practice some Biblical character traits instead of giving something up.  So, I'm going through the fruit of the Spirit with my boys for 40 days.  Don't really know how we will do this for 40 days but I'm already feeling FULL from doing this!  So please pray that they will grow and I will too. 

P - Father I praise you for making me complete in you.  Please give me the focus I need to get quality time with you each day so that I can be full in you!

Ginny - Ephesians 3:19

Good Afternoon Girlz!!! Happy Birthday Baby Owen!!!

S - and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

O - God is love. So the best way to be filled up with Him is to understand His love for us.

A - I love the words, "filled up." I just think of something so happy it's bubbling over. Just can't control itself. I want to be filled up, so that I am just overflowing with Jesus's love.

P - Lord, in every circumstance may I show Your love. Thank You for loving me.

Ephesians 3:18, Karlyn

WOW!  I miss a few days and all of these things happen!!!!!  Ginny, so excited for all these "little"  things that are happening and that you are using yourself to share Christ!!!!  Sorry about Catholic boy:(  I know you desire to find who God has for you so please know that I pray for you and him always!  How terrible to throw up the whole time!  Makes for a good story.  If for some crazy reason he converted and you did start a relationship it's a great story to tell!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy....been praying for you all day.

Things are going good here.  Knox was doing great and then he started throwing a LOT of fits which he's never done before.  SO, I don't know if it's because of change or because he's getting older and expressing himself!!!!  So please pray we know how to handle him wisely so we can train him and not just get frustrated with him.

S - And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

O - My brain can't even wrap around this.  He provides everything we need and his love has no end.  I want to understand this in my lifetime but I think that I will spend my life just learning about and e
experiencing his love.

A - When I experience his wide, long, high, and deep love I've got to find a way to share it with others so they can begin to understand it...just like you've been doing Ginny!  I need to keep my eyes and heart open.

Ginny - Ephesians 3:18

Good Morning Girlz!!! Momma Cindy, still praying, praying, praying!!! Keep us posted!!!

S - may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

O - God's love is BIG!

A - He loves you and me no matter what!

P - Lord may I live in the light of Your love today. May I extend that love to others.

Cindy - update

Hey Ladies! Well I wanted to give you a little update on what's happening with me and baby Owen. Today is my due date :) I went to the Dr. today for a check-up...I still have not dialated. They are estimating Owen as weighing 8 1/2 pounds and my blood pressure was a little elevated...so...I am checking into the hospital at 4:00 to begin the process of inducing labor. Please pray for me and Owen. I am really nervous, okay scared, just because I don't know what to expect. Jared or I will be updating you on the progress! :) Baby coming soon!!! (I hope)
love,
Cindy

Ginny - Ephesians 3:16-17

Good Afternoon Girlz!!!

S - that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love

O - God wants to give us good things, and these verses are full of some of those things He wants to share with us: strength, faith, love

A - It is becoming more and more evident to me how much faith and strength go hand and hand. Faith, is the world's eyes, can sometimes be viewed as a weakness or a nonsensible thing, but as far as the Lord is concerned nothing shows more strength than faith. Believing in that which is unseen.

P - Lord may Your strength, faith, and love be shown in my life. May others see You through me. Thank You for the opportunities You are placing in my life to share Your Good News and what you have done in my life.

Girls, it's still happening...Sunday I went to get my nails done. Hardly EVER do this. It was a special treat for all the throwing up I did with my 24 hour stomach bug :) Anyhow, got to talk to my little nail tech about the Lord and church. All these "little" things that keep popping up. It makes me overflow with joy!

Ginny - Ephesians 3:14-15

Good afternoon girls!!! It's President's Day and the bank is closed. I am sitting on my couch waiting on the bug exterminator to come. I love holidays!

S - For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in Heaven and on earth derives its name.

O - He is the beginning of us all. From Him we come.

A - What power and authority He commands. He is the beginning and the end, and just as verse 14 says, "I bow my knees." He is to be worshipped and obeyed.

P - Lord may I live in the awe of Your holiness every day. May I not lose sight of how incredibly awesome You are.

***Updates - So for a number of months I have been talking to this guy who lives up in Nebraska. We were connected through some mutual friends. Anyhow, he came down this past weekend and we had a great time. Great guy. Very nice. Not bad looking. Blah, blah, blah. Only hitch is he is Catholic and not looking to change and I am not Catholic and not looking to change. So, it was nice to meet him and we had a good time, but no go. The fabulous part is I got the stomach bug Friday night. I just blew it off, thought it was something I ate, and just grinned and beared it. However after throwing up twice, the second time being driving down the road and having to pull the pickup over FAST, I was convinced I was sick. I never get sick. The boy traveled 14 hours down here and now I am throwing up on the side of the road. Glorious. We, of course, found some humor in it and the rest of the weekend continued to go well, but it did make for some memories.

Hope your girls have had a great start to your week!!! Love you all!!!

Ephesians 3:12-13

S - Because of Christ and our FAITH in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

O - Paul is reminding the church to keep the faith. Even when it is hard and there is suffering involved. Keep faith in Him.

A - FAITH. Faith allows us to keep going. Even when things don't make sense to our earthly minds, or when things are hard, or when our emotions get in the way. FAITH is the reason why. FAITH pushes us forward. It gives us boldness. It gives us confidence. Don't lose heart. We can't lose heart. FAITH still abounds.

P - Lord may I never forget to come to You when times get tough. May I claim the salvation You have given me and may I not lose heart.

Girls, I am so excited! Y'all know I've been praying for more ways that I can be a witness. To share. To tell others. And that my eyes would be open to see these opportunities. Well, today the electricity went out in the bank, and after I had watched my brother's dorky video he sent me on my phone as many times as I could stand & cried my masscara off with laughter, I decided it was unproductive sitting in the dark and decided to leave for an early lunch :) I normally just stay at the bank for lunch unless Jay is paying and then we go to Garcias for the world's best flour, cheese enchiladas. But today I had time, so I first decide I am going to Ann Taylor to use my gift card. Well, I get my purchase and am pulling out of my parking space when I notice this lady standing on the sidewalk outside of Chico's just staring at me. Next thing I know she is walking up to my car. She says her son dropped her off to shop and just called to say he had been in an accident and the cab she called is taking too long, could I take her? I said, jump in! We hurry over to where the accident is & on the way we talked about the Lord and I told her I would be praying for her and her son. She was the sweetest lady, and all of y'all would have done the same thing, so it's not like this big heroic thing I did; it's just that it was so obvious to me that the Lord is hearing my prayers. He put me in that parking lot today so I could help her. PRAYER WORKS!

Love you gals! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Mine has the potential to be very interesting, so we'll see how it goes! Updates on Monday!!!

Ginny - Ephesians 3:10-11

Good Morning Girlz!!!

S - God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

O - The church is the vessel God choses to use to fulfill His purpose. He created the church so that His plan could be fulfilled.

A - I read this as a call to duty. Am I doing my part? Am I doing my part as a member of the church to see God's purpose fulfilled. Am I helping? Is the plan working because the effort I am putting forth, or am I letting others do the work?

P - Lord I don't want to sit by and just watch; I want to participate. I want to help. Please continue to open doors of how I can do more than just show up.

* I have to tell y'all a small way I see the Lord already answering my prayer for new ways to get involved. Last night in choir I was writing down prayer requests & our music man looked at me and said "Can you email me those?" So now I am going to email each week's prayer requests to him. The cool thing is I can type them right there on my phone and email him all from the choir room. Again, it's a small thing, but it's something I can do. It will get me to choir on time. It will keep me from skipping when it's too cold out. And it will help me learn names of people I still don't know. And another thing, my church is primarily old people. Those grandmas & grandpas don't know how to email much less from their phone. So, again, it's something I can do. Something small, but a ministry I can fulfill a need at. Ephesians is doing me some good! :)

Everybody have a good day!!!

Ginny - Ephesians 3:7-9

Good Morning Girlz!!!

S - By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

O - We serve by spreading :)

A - Well we hit the nail on the head today! Telling others about Jesus is how we serve Him. I want to serve Him. I want to tell. Yesterday I went and gave blood. My nurse was the sweetest thing. We just talked and talked for about an hour. Just now, as I was typing this blog entry, I realized why didn't I ever say anything about Christ? Why didn't I steer the conversation that way? I was with her for an hour! with a needle in my arm! I wasn't going anywhere. A reminder that as much as I KNOW I should be sharing, have the mindset and eyes to see an opportunity are two different things. I pray next time the thought to share comes to my mind.

P - Lord, please change my thinking. Let me be in tune to the people I come in contact with that I can share with. I want to be a faithful servent.

Ginny - Ephesians 3:4-6

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

S - As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

O - I can just picture this. Everyone gathered around listening intently on what the letter says, and then to find out they ALL can share equally in salvation. What a complete change! Never before had such a thing been thought of. How this changes everything.

A - Hallelujiah! I am so glad salvation is open to everyone. All, no matter your background, can be a child of the One True God.

P - Lord I thank You for accepting us all. Thank You for opening salvation to all. Lord, I pray for those who do not know You. Continue to put us in the paths of these lost souls that we may share Your love with them.

Karlyn, praying for you and all your sweet family (especially Knox :))

Ephesians 3:4-6, Karlyn

Happy Valentine Tuesday!!!!!

S - By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

O - WOO HOO!  I'm a fellow heir, fellow member of the body, and a partaker of Christ's promise!!!!!  I don't deserve it, I didn't earn it, but he extends it to me because he wants me!  PTL!

A - I need to understand in greater depth his love and promise for me.  THe  ore I know him the closer I am to him and can share this promise with others.

P - Thank you Lord for including me in your family.  Thank you for making me part of your promise.  I love you and want to share your promise with everyone else!

Hopefully we are going home today.  So here we go to the real world.  I need prayers to know how to make this work for Knox he's gonna be interesting!  Love y'all!

Ephesians 3:1-3, Karlyn

S -  For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

O - Stewardship of God's grace.  This phrase struck me because when stewardship is involved that means it is something that is being given special attention too and very important.  And it was given to me!

A - If God is going to give special attention to grace and it deserves stewardship I need to pay more attention to the grace he's given me and TRUST HIM!

P - Lord your grace is more than sufficient for me and I'm so thankful you give it to me over and over and over.  I know I will never deserve it but help me to respect it and show gratefulness because of it!

Ginny - Ephesians 3:1-3

Good Morning Girlz (including Miss Thea) !!!!!!! Congratulations Karlyn! She's a cutie!

S - I, Paul, am in prison because I am a missionary for Jesus Christ to you who are not Jews. I am sure you have heard that God trusted me with His loving-favor. I wrote a little about this to you before. In a special way, God showed me His secret plan.

O - Paul was out doing. He was out telling others. Witnessing. That's what got him thrown in prison.

A - What am I doing? Am I out and about? Am I telling? Am I being a witness? For the most part, the answer to that is no. Sure I try for my lifestyle to be a witness, and how I treat people around me; I want that to show the love of Christ, but what have I done lately that is out of my normal day?

P - Lord I pray for ways I can branch out. Things I can get involved in that put me around new people, and Lord when I am around these people I pray that I tell them about the love I have found in You. Please open up the doors!

Ginny - Ephesians 2:21-22

S - We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

O - We are called to come together as one. Not to live seperate lives.

A - I am still amazed at the extent the Lord goes to make it clear that He wants us. He wants us with Him in His family, in His dwelling, on His side.

P - Lord, please continue to bring people in my path that I can witness to, that they too may become part of Your family.

Hope everyone has a fun weekend! Karlyn I am praying baby Thea waits till next Thursday and in the mean time that everything around the house gets done! Keep us all posted!

Ephesians 2: 21-22, Karlyn

Happy Friday Morning!

S - We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.  Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

O - This makes me think of the OT tabernacle and temple.  God was very careful and specific about how the 2 were to be built and his Spirit dwelt in them because of the careful hands that made it the way he laid it out.  Now there is no ned for a tabernacle or temple He dwells in us as his temple.

A - Am I careful with this temple and do I treat it and fill it with what is holy for him to dwell in?

P-  Thank you again Lord that you extended your grace to those Gentiles!  I praise you for living in us and not giving us another building to have to go to to find you.  Thank you that you are living in me.  Help me today to make it a holy place for you to be!

Hope your weekend is relaxing.  I'm going to a women's conference with my church and I don't even know who the speaker is going to be!  I'm a little stressed with getting house clean and ready for this baby next week so please pray that I can just be happy with what gets done!  Love ya!

Ephesians 2:19-20. Karlyn

S - So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners You are citizens along with all of God's holy people.  You are members of God's family.  Together we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.  And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

O - Christ Jesus the cornerstone - how could I make it without him?  If I'm part of his house how am I contributing to the rest of the house?

A - I'm learning that my "job" in the body of Christ or the house of Christ is always going to change in every stage of my life.  There are times I get overwhelmed with ALL the things I think God wants me to be a part of or do but I have to step back and remember he's not going to make me do things I can't handle he will always give me support and resources I need.  So thankful to be in this family!!!!

P - Lord thank you for adopting me into your holy people.  Help me today to fulfill my role in your house!

Things are all falling into place!  We had 3 vehicles to sell and we have sold 2!!!  I'm so thankful.  So now please pray that in the next week some one will come and buy our Yukon!

Ginny I'm so excited for you and your ATTITUDE:)  I love you so much and hope loan season isn't too crazy!

Eph 2:16-18, Karlyn

Please pray this baby holds on till next Thursday!  I need time to finish up the house.  It's in total chaos from our remodel job!!!!!

S - Together as one body Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and
our hostility toward each other was put to death.  He brought this good news of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him and peace to the Jews who were near.  Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

O - For me, this hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles represents the hostility we face as believers verses non believers.  We can all come to Christ the exact same way and no one is better or different than anyone else.  The Holy Spirit is waiting for all of us.
 
A - I need to show in very plain ways in my life that what I have in Christ is available to everyone and extended to everyone because of what Christ has done.

P- Lord help me to keep my heart clean before you so that people can see your grace and know that they can come to you and that Christ paved the way for salvation!

Ginny - Ephesians 2:19-20

Good Morning Girlz!!! I have a headache so I'm going to type really slow ;)

S - So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

O - God just clears it up right here. No question about it. We are one. We are His children and therefore we are family.

A - How much God wants us all to be a part of that family! His desire is that all would come and that none would be strangers. Am I doing my part to tell others about the family and invite them in?

P - Lord I pray for the lost souls in the world. I pray that they would hear about Your love and about the family they can be a part of through You. May I not miss an opportunity to tell someone else about You and Your great love.

Ginny - Ephesians 2:16-18

S - Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

O - Because what Christ has done for us we can be one.

A - One of my preachers once said, "It takes the same amount of grace to save them as it does me." In other words, no one is "worse" than someone else requiring the Lord to do more to save them then it does me. We were all sinners and Christ died for all of us once and for all. He didn't have to do more for those of us that are "really bad." Christ loves us all and wants all of us to come together in His family.

P - Lord thank You for saving me. I pray for those who are lost that do not know You yet. May I be a witness to Your saving grace, that they may come to know You.

Eph 2:13-15, Karlyn

S - But now you have been united with Christ Jesus.  Once you were far away from God but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.  For Christ himself has brought peace to us he united Jews and Gentiles into one people when in his own body on the cross he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.  HE did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations.  He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

O - United with him and no longer is the law and regulations what determines my righteousness.
 
A - I know I would have never made it under the law and I should be showing in my daily walk how FABULOUS it is to have a savior who paid the price instead of having to follow the law.

P - God thank you for Jesus' sacrifice and that I am united with him under grace.  Thank you for extending this grace beyond the Jews!

Ginny - Ephesians 2:13-15

S - But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

O - God brings us to Him that we may experience life under one truth.

A - I love the picture of oneness, continuity, focus, undivided. God brings together and smooths out the wrinkles.

P - Lord I pray I live in such a way that others know who I belong to. Thank You for the peace You give.

Ephesians 2:11-12

Happy Monday Morning!  Hope everyone had a fun weekend!

S - Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders.  You were called uncircumcised heathens by the Jews who were proud of their circumcision even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.  In those days you were living apart from Christ.  You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises that God had made to them.  You lived in this world without God and without hope.

O - It's my heart that matters and not the outward appearance of "good".  God didn't have to include me a gentile in his plan of forgiveness but instead he extends hope!

A - My heart check needs to happen all day long.  I don't make it very far past my morning before the sin starts to creep out and in!  I've got to intentionally extend the hope that God gives me to others around me.

P - Lord I'm grateful for the hope you give me in Christ.  Help me to keep my heart clean before oyu so that others can see and want your hope today!

Ginny - Ephesians 2:11-12

S - Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

O - Christ gave hope to a people that only knew rules.

A - Today I want to focus on the words "formerly you." This gives me great hope! I am so glad God is a God that doesn't just leave us where we are at, but rather changes us and makes us better. I am so glad there is a "formerly you" because that means I am at a different spot now. I have left something behind and I have grown and changed to where I am now. I am seeing this change in my attitude. My attitude and annoyance level is something I was struggling with end of last year, but I can already see changes the Lord is making in this area of my life. This past weekend I was in a situation that I typically would have gotten very bitter over, but instead I prayed that I would see the good in the situation and that the Lord would make a way for it all to work out. He did! But more imporantly I learned a lot by stopping and praying and deciding not to head down the same path of a bad attitude. It's a small change, but it meant the world to me that I could see where the Lord was changing and teaching me. I praise Him that I am on the way to a "formerly me" place!

P - Lord thank You for never being done with us. Thank You for wanting us to get better. Thank You for how You are answering my prayers.

Ginny - Ephesians 2:10

Goodness Girls! I can tell it's loan season this time around! Last Bible Study I had my entry done in the morning, this time the first time I look up it's 4:00. Oh how I love it though! Karlyn, you'll have to send us a picture once the hair is did! Not too much planned for me. Dinner with the girls tonight, lots of house stuff to do tomorrow, church & game Sunday. Love you all - have a great weekend!


S - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

O - We are His hands and feet here on Earth.

A - How can I show Jesus to someone today? What can I do to fulfill the good plans the Lord wants completed?

P - Lord put on my heart someone that needs some love and kindess today. Show me how I can meet their need and remind them You care.

Ephesians 2:10, Karlyn

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING!!!
S - For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

O - My Bible cross references Isaiah 29:23 paraphrased when they see their many children and all the blessings I gave them they will recognize God's holiness and stand in awe of him!
We talked about being God's masterpiece last night at our book review on What Woman Fear and one point brought out was we are his masterpiece and we shouldn't fear how we were created or what he asks us to do because he has created us just the way he wants us and we need to use that instead of being frustrated with it.

A - I beat myself up a lot because of FLAWS I think I have.  Instead of flaws and weaknesses I need to look at myself as God's masterpiece and let him use me in the way he planned!

P - Thank you Lord that you use my weaknesses and my flaws for your glory and I don't have to fear them!  Help me to see myself the way you do and not to want to be look or act like someone else!

I get to have my hair "did" today, yay!  Hope you have a good weekend.  Anything planned?

Ginny - Ephesians 2:8-9

S - For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

O - "not of yourselves" It is not our strength that gets the job done, but the Lord's.

A - Those three words are really speaking to me tonight, "not of yourselves." I needed to hear that tonight. My eyes see the black and white of the situation and I wonder how it will all work out, but God is so much bigger. He can work miracles and He will provide. It is not about what I can do or what I can figure out. It is about Him and letting Him be God.

P - Lord I pray tonight that I will let go and let Your power work in ways only You can do. Lord, I pray for my spirit. Do not let me get downcast, but rather look for the good and see the positive.

Ephesians 2:6-9, Karlyn

S - For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of incredible wealth of his grace and kindness towards us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.  God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this it is a gift from God .  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

O - Affirmation of what my purpose is...being an example in all I do of God's grace and kindness and I can't be prideful in any of it because it was a gift nothing I earned.

A - I need this to reflect in my actions.  I've been very selfish again with my time and thoughts and I need to focus on what I can do every day to let others see his grace and kindness

P - Lord help me not to focus on me all the time and really see those who need to be shown oyur grace and kindness!

2 more weeks and then Thea is here!  I'm very large, peeing every 5 minutes, and trying to enjoy every minute with the boys before she gets here.  These are some things we are praying for...
-no complications during surgery
-epidural (sp) works perfectly
-she breast feeds easily and I have enough milk but not too much!
-she is healthy and thriving
-Knox handles all the change well
-my recovery goes smooth and quickly
-she SLEEPS great during the NIGHT!
-Ryan isn't stressing out about farm stuff and can let go and allow Jonathan and Walter to take up some slack.

Love y'all!

Cindy, Amber, and Jenifer I hope y'all are doing great!

Ginny - Ephesians 2:6-7

S - and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

O - Oh how the Lord loves us!

A - We have a wonderful Heavenly Father that wants to give us good things despite the fact that we do not deserve them.

P - Lord thank You. Thank You for taking care of me, thank You for protecting me, and above all thank You for loving me no matter what.