Not ashamed
Month: August 2021
Ephesians 5:10
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 5:10. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 5:10
“Find out what pleases the Lord.”
The children of light do not just sit back and let the light flow through them as passive vessels, like a window. In all parts of the Christian walk, we have a partnership with the Holy Spirit. We do things in cooperation with God.
So Paul tells us now that we must “find out what pleases the Lord.”
The word translated as ”find” has a sense of continual testing and proving – as a metal or alloy might be tested. This suggests an experimental approach, a continuing testing of where the Lord is leading us.
There are some boundaries laid down for us in the Bible. We can find out some general expressions in the Ten Commandments and in the ministry of Jesus. These supply, if you like, the boundaries for what pleases the Lord.
Within these boundaries there is infinite scope for discovering what pleases the Lord. And as the word “ test” indicates, there may be times when in our creative approach to serving the Lord, we may fail, finding instead what displeases God . But that’s not a bad thing, as it helps to define where the boundaries are.
Each of us has been called and created to serve the Lord and to fellowship with the Lord in a unique way. Our spiritual DNA is unique, so our own way of pleasing the Lord may be different to others .
Religion prescribes only one way, the “Appropriate Way”, to worship God. But in our creativity and in the way we are created, we should all find a way to worship and serve that is designed just for us .
Prayer is the starting point in this. if I do not talk to the Lord about what pleases Him, then I’ll never find out what He wants.
Even our way to pray needs to be set free from the confines of religious practice. Some people pray sitting down, others walking, still others lying prostrate. All of these ways of praying are pleasing to the Lord.
When we give generously to a person in need, that pleases the Lord.
When we pray for healing or for a really big miracle and we believe that God can do it and wants to do it, that is pleasing to the Lord. Whenever we do something in faith, the Lord is pleased.
When we talk to our neighbours about Jesus, just from the sheer joy of loving him and not out of the sense of duty, then the Lord is pleased.
When we speak up for the oppressed and downtrodden, then the Lord is pleased.
There is so much that pleases the Lord because he is proud of his children.
Each day there will be opportunity to discover what pleases the Lord. Every day will bring us chances to pray and praise, to love our neighbour, and to be like Jesus.
Each day I need to ask the Lord “what will I do that pleases you today?” Each day it will be different, because God is always taking us into new places, with new people and new tasks.
This is not duty, this is joy! it is not “I have to please the Lord,” but “ I get to please the Lord!”
This process starts with Scripture, the word of God, but it is completed in prayer and relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Key points in this verse:
- Finding out what pleases God is an ongoing process
- We each have a unique way to delight the lord
- It is relational not religious
Reflection on Matthew 27:45-66
Scripture
The Roman officer and other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God.”
Observation
At noon darkness falls over the land. At three Jesus cries out to God, “Why have you abandoned me?” Then Jesus shouts again and releases His spirit.
The veil in the Temple is torn in two, the earth shakes and dead people come out of their tombs and enter the city.
The Roman soldiers are shaken by all they have seen and declare, “This man truly was the Son of God.”
Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate and requests Jesus’ body, which he places in his own new tomb. The tomb is sealed and guards placed in front of it to ensure that there is no fake resurrection.
Application
The Roman soldiers, the people responsible for the death of Jesus, are the first to declare that He is the Son of God.
Jesus’ death was not an accident and it was not a tragedy. It was God’s plan all along from the beginning of creation.
God knew that we needed a saviour so He sent His one and only Son to come and die for the redemption of our sins.
Jesus’ death is the sacrifice that God decreed would be enough to save anyone who will receive it.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for dying for me. Help me to live for you. Amen.
Quote for the Day
Your spirit is supposed to lead your life, not your soul. Each of us is meant to be aligned in order of spirit, soul, and body. Your own spirit lines up under the Holy Spirit, then the soul and the body under that. Carol Arnott
Knowledge
Reflection on Matthew 27:27-44
Scripture
“He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him. For he said, “I am the Son of God.”
Observation
Some of the governor’s soldiers take Jesus away. They beat Him and mock him, placing a crown of thorns on His head and a reed for a sceptre in His hand.
They then lead Jesus to the place called Golgotha where they crucify Him. The soldiers gamble for His clothes. A sign is fastened to the cross that says, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.”
All manner of people come and mock Jesus. They call out, “He saved others; Let us see Him save Himself.”
Application
The mockery of the people is completely undiluted. They have all forgotten the miracles and the hundreds of people healed. Now they only have contempt for Jesus.
The irony of all this is that the mockery and taunts were fulfilled. God did come and rescue Jesus from death, although not the cross. Even these non- prayers were answered by God.
When people rare determined to reject the reign of God, they will reject every attempt of God to save them. This is a very sad reality.
When people seemingly reject us because of our faith, we should remember that they rejected the Saviour first.
Prayer
Father forgive me for the times I may have rejected you and your salvation. I thank you that you rejoice over every sinner who truly repents. Amen.
More Grace
Bear With Each Other
Taliban openly mocking Biden & US Military – right down to Biden’s ice-creams.
Taliban openly mocking Biden & US Military – right down to Biden’s ice-creams.
Sunday, 22 August 2021
Taliban proudly showing off their new (abandoned by Biden) American gear.
Taliban taking the lead on the ice-creams from the Deserter-In-Chief.
Taliban in gear Biden abandoned taking the piss out of the sacred US Marine Corps image of the US flag being raised over Iwo Jima.
Calamity Joe joins his compatriots.
These images will embolden and encourage Islamist Jihadi terrorists the world over.
You’ll find plenty more here.
New Life Narrabri 
