"BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BELIEVERS"

Good Evening to All!

Paul's letter to the Ephesian church divides neatly into two sections. The first describes the spiritual blessings all believers possess, and the second outlines what God expects of believers in light of all that He has done for them.


I have a question for each of you. Are you one of those people who think that everything God has given us, and done for us should be "handed to us on a silver platter", without us having to give anything back, or do you realize that our relationship, our Covenant with God is a two way street?

Here is what God's Word, precisely Paul has to say about it. First I will name some of the Responsibilities we have as Christians, then I will elaborate on some of the Blessings which God has in store for us if we hold up to our part of the covenant.

Responsibilities Christians Have:

• To keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians. 4:3-6)
• To use our abilities for the church's benefit (Ephesians. 4:7-13)
• To keep growing and maturing (4:14,15)
• To put away old, sinful ways (4:17-24, 5:2-14)
• To speak honestly and purely (4:25, 29)
• To do what the Spirit leads us to do (4:30)
• To imitate God (5:1) (Believers are to follow the example of God's actions. He loved us when we were still His enemies.
  
• To walk in Love (5:2)
• To find out what is acceptable to the Lord (5:10)
• To make the most of our time (5:16)
  
• To be filled with the Spirit (5:18)
• To submit to one another (5:21)
• To have marriages that honor God (5:22-33)
• To demonstrate integrity in the workplace (6:5-9)
• To stand strong against the forces of evil (6:10-18)

The Blessings Christians Enjoy:

• Chosen by God; election (Ephesians. 1:4)
• Adoption into God's family (Ephesians. 1:5; 2:19)
• Acceptance before God (1:6)
• Forgiveness of sins (1:7)
• Insight into God's will (1:9)
• An eternal inheritance (1:11)
• The seal of the Spirit (1:13; 2:18)
• God's mercy and love (2:4, 3:17-19)
• Wisdom and knowledge (1:17)
  
• Divine Power (1:19, 20; 3:16, 20)
• Spiritual life (2:1, 5)
  
• The promise of eternal kindness (2:7)
• The knowledge that God's plan for us is good (2:10)
• Unity and peace with all believers 2:11-18, 3:6)
• Heavenly citizenship (2:19)
• Access to God through Christ (3:12)

Now I don't know how y'all feel, but when I look at this bottom list compared to the top one, I can't help but feel that God's Blessings for me definitely out do the Responsibilities I have as "His child".

I am going to print this out and put it on my bulletin board right next to my "banner" that says, "The Effective Fervent Prayer of a Righteous man availeth much".

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

A Little Light Inspiration

Good Evening to All!

I'm taking my text strictly from the "Inspirational booklet" especially for Moms.

The first short story is "What's First in the Family?"

Tony Evens writes, a point was driven home to me during my high school football days, when I would often drag my weary body home after practice and stumble through the door. With a loud yawn, I'd say, "Mom, I'm tired. I'm going up to rest."

Before I made it up three steps, my mother would call back, "son, you better come down here and get your chores done first."

"But I'm tired!" I'd protest.

"Wrong answer!" Mom replied. "If tiredness was a criteria of function you would not have any clothes washed or dinner cooked. In fact, I would have gotten rid of you the day after you were born!"

I got the message. Mom was reminding me that as part of a family, I had obligations and responsibilities that didn't evaporated simply because I didn't feel likefulfilling them.
(Tony Evans, The Importance of Church Membership booklet)

Although I have never read any other stories,articles or booklets this man has written, I truly believe he was not necessarily talking about the individual group church. With all my heart, I believe he is talking about the Total church, Christ's body. If we all don't do our part than the church will not be working at full capacity. The same goes with our individual families. Even a small family like mine (my hubby and myself). If we each don't do our part, then difficulties arise. For example, for a long time, I wasn't able to work at a regular job because the type of disability my hubby was on would be penalized and whatever I earned would be taken from his check. In other words my working would cause more problems. Last December, his status changed and I was eligible to go back to work if I wanted. My hubby didn't want me to because we are now able to travel if we want. I decided to continue to clean houses because this would giveme extra spending money that wouldn't come out of my husband's pocket. He would give me anything I want if he can afford it, but at the same time he gives me the third degree about it whereas if I have my own money he can't say much. Thus helping in 2 different ways. One it saves hubby money, and keeps harmony in the home because we end up arguing about it if he starts the third degree. When my hubby and I first got married, I cleaned until our house was spotless. For the first 12 years I kept the house like it should be. After my hubby had his heart attack and got on VA disability, he was home 24/7 and I couldn't keep the house clean. I would no sooner get the dishes done then he would come in ready for something to drink, lunch, snack, or something. I 'd get it for him, clean up and he would want something else. OR I would start cleaning, and he would call me and want me to stop and do something else. Anyway, I finally more or less gave up and told him I was going to wash dishes once a day, sweep once a day, vacuum once a week, and so on. My house isn't dirty, but it's not as clean all the time like it used to be. My idea is, is that it takes both combined efforts to make things work, as it does in the "members of the Church" (Christ's body) not the individual groups.

There are lots of benefits associated with being part of a family... and rightfully so. However, at the same time, in order to keep this kind of support from running out, each member is required to do his or her share. It's the continued investment of the time and resources of each family member that makes it happen. And there is not a home around that can function without this important kind of support.

We are building homes better so that we can have a better church so that together we can build a better society so that we can make the world a better place in which we can all function as family.

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God Works Through Us

"The ideal is not that we do work for God, but that we are so loyal to Him that He can do His work through us....

"I reckon on you for extreme service, with no complaining on your part and no explanation on Mine. "God want to use us as used His own Son."
Oswald Chambers

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For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, we we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:4-5

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

PJ