God's world (Ephesians 4:17-32, Philippians 4:4-7, Psalm 24:1-2)

"The  earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains. The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers."
(Psalms 24:1-2 NASB)
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I forgot to mention in my last post, when I go out and do ministries on my own, I let my Pastors know what I'm up to.  That way they know we don't all sleep in Church : )  They work so hard and certainly deserve encouragement. It was fun to thank my first Pastor for leading me to Christ 38 years ago.  I sent him a copy of my testimony.

(Ephesians 4:17-32 NKJV)
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Hmmm "walking in the futility of your mind..."  Yikes!  I see that as someone who is living in an imaginary world.  Just there.  Sometimes I ask Todd what he's thinking and he says, "Nothing."  
So I ask, "Nothing?"
He answers, "doooooo.  Yup nothing."
I think all the time!  It must be so relaxing : )  

To me, these verses describe people who are constantly thinking.  If something doesn't make sense, they make up a solution they like.  They close their minds to any other options.  They have done this for so long their minds and hearts don't know what truth is.  They are self serving and ignore God even making up lies to justify their thoughts.  


We keep hearing about climate control in the USA, it's Obama's favorite topic and investment.  After Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, an Environmental conference was held.  It was horrible there was less than 1/4 of an inch of water lost from our shorelines.  That doesn't concern me as much as the people still trying to rebuild their homes.  They also worry about the polar ice caps melting.  Yet 2 ice cutter ships got stuck in the ice last winter.  I love Christianity.  With God, humans are His best asset.  Not the ice or the water which He created.  We must protect our world but not pretend to control it. That's God's domain.

What would it feel like to believe we are just fine the way we are?  To just relax, work hard, sleep well, laugh, love and dance.  We'll know in Heaven for sure : )


20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
When I put off my old ways and temptations, I feel like a new woman.  I have joy in my heart.  I am respected and loved.  Only God can provide the peace that passes understanding.  When we have faith and walk in the light, the fruit of His Spirit comes.  Paul describes it in his letter to the Philippians.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV)

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” 
Guilty!  I have a hard time telling other people (except my husband) that they are upsetting me.  We live in a townhouse that's close to other homes.  My neighbor  throws their beach towels over our courtyard fence when they're wet.  It's a small private space and I usually just push them off our side onto theirs.  I really should ask them to stop.  Nothing like seeing someone elses laundry in your courtyard...  Do we have to be honest?

for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 
Members of one another describes the body of Christ.  We are His hands, ears, feet...  God has given all of us gifts and talents to share.  My husband and I try not to let the sun go down on our anger.  I just can't sleep when I'm mad.  Neither can he.  We sometimes have pillow fights or squirt gun fights to get out of the angry mood.  It works well. Basically it's taking ourselves too seriously.

27 nor give place to the devil. 
This describes giving the devil a place (foothold) when we dwell in anger instead of faith.  I hate being angry it's so annoying.  Anger is a necessary emotion to help us change things but it's not good to constantly feed it.  "Did you see that lady?  She just hit my cart with her cart.  How rude!" and then pace all night... Not that I would ever... ok I would.

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
This verse sounds like it's for new Christians. I was so confused when I first became a Christian.  I didn't feel like sinning as much.  I think that's normal when we first go to Church.  It's all so intimidating.  Paul is giving an alternative that's to be useful.   I am happy to say, "I'm working quietly with my own hands now!"  I'm at home.  Hopefully this blog is useful for others : )  Ok I do talk to myself and the kitties sometimes... /blush

 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking greaves the Holy Spirit.  I definitely don't want to do that.  He would rather we are kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving, just like Jesus forgave us.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for those in Iraq and Israel.  I pray for peace in Jerusalem, for the Holy cities in the middle east.  They are in a precarious place with all the fighting.  Lord, I pray You will give our Congress courage to do what must be done in the White House.  Please let your Spirit bless the children from Central America still waiting in warehouses.  I pray they will be able to live safely in Central America.  Thank You for all the blessings you have given us.  Be with those in Ukraine.  Bless our allies and help all our nations be strong.  In all these things let the right win and the wrong fail.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Here's a song by Matt Maher, "Alive Again" (link)

If you have a prayer request feel free to write it in Comments.  I'd be happy to pray for you.  God bless!