So, I thought that it was a perfect time to post about being new. I have a few different good places to study in that area, and will probably focus on them the next 2 or 3 days. Today, we will be looking at Ephesians 4:20-24. This will be a fairly short study, as it is focusing on certain verses, rather than the entire chapter, but I hope you get something out of it anyway!
"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, according to the deceitful lusts." - Eph 4:20-22
How this relates to our lives: Well, to me this says that if we have given our lives to Christ, truly given ourselves to Him and decided to follow His Truth and His Will, we will obey. Lust is just one of the many things that we are to avoid. This makes me think of the 10 commandments. We may make mistakes, but we no longer DESIRE to be our former selves. We desire God more than the horrible things we used to do. We feel conviction when we mess up. God comes before all of those lies we tell ourselves.
"...and be renewed in the spirit of your mind." - Eph 4:23
How this relates to our lives: Basically, we have to renew our spirits and our minds daily. We make mistakes, and we must ask God to forgive. We have to make an effort to not look at that guy/girl and lust over them or to not cuss. It can be hard to respect certain people, but we need to try. And when we mess up, we need to go to God with humility. We need to ask to be forgiven and that He will change our hearts.
"...and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Eph 4:24
How this relates to our lives: Well, God created us new. The moment we gave our lives over to Him, we became a new creation. You see now how this relates to the New Year? It is a fresh start, a time to make amends, to work on changing things we don't like about ourselves, and to make goals. Is growing closer to God one of your goals? I know it is one of mine. And if it isn't, then you should really think about making it one of them. You should search your heart and find what is missing. I can already tell you, if you don't have Jesus, then that is what is missing.
2012 is going to be an amazing year. I know that God is going to move and do INCREDIBLE things! I know that God will change me and those around me in amazing ways. I know that God's Hand will be in everything that I do because that is what I chose. I desire more and more of God at all times. I desire for Him to take complete control. He has made me into a new creation very recently. It's a New Year, maybe it's time that you were made a new creation too!
Happy New Years and I love you guys!
Hey! I really liked this post! I've begun praying, before I read here and before I read my Bible, in high hopes that God will show me something that I've never seen, or perhaps something that I have seen and didn't comprehend at the time.
ReplyDeleteI really love how you you seem so confident in God. His promises to us are ones we must keep faith in, yet sometimes I feel myself struggling, I suppose, to trust in His promises. I need to lean on Him, and His Word as a sign that He will protect me more often I think. I sometimeshave trouble with that.
Aw I'm so glad!! And that is great. It is sometimes hard to remember to do, but I always find it helpful when I do!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am confident in Him, however I don't ever want to seem inhuman about it (I do have my rough days where I'm confused or even mad at Him). You are not the only one that has trouble, just remember He will get you through it, and that you have a sister in Christ keeping you in her prayers! :)