Have no fellowship with the UNFRUITFUL WORKS of darkness...

" And walk in LOVE... and ALL uncleanness... let it NOT ONCE be named among you, as becometh saints.... but rather giving of THANKS. " Ephesians 5: 2,3,4

I thank the LORD for His mercy this morning... for reminding me of His desire that I walk as a child of LIGHT.

How easily I can get sidetracked and fall in the deceiving ways of the world. 

It is easy to compromise... 

It is easy to talk as the "world"...

It is easy to "fit in" so that we may look good in the eyes of man...

It is easy to think on the things below...

It is easy  to covet, to judge, to envy another...

All this is especially so...because we walk not in the LIGHT of the WORD. 

So as I was reading the 5th chapter of Ephesians, I was touched with the message of the Lord: 

We are to be followers of GOD...

We are to walk in LOVE...

We are to walk as children of LIGHT...

We are to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise...

We are to redeem the time.

The LORD graciously reminds us that we are no longer in darkness... but have come to LIGHT. 

As a result, we are to put off(do away with) concerning the former conversation(conduct)....

" For ye were sometimes darkness, 

but now are ye light:

walk as children of LIGHT." 

Ephesians 5:8

Therefore, we are to have no fellowship...nor partake... with the unfruitful works of darkness. 

" For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:8

" For it is a shame

 even to speak  of those things 

which are done of them in secret." 

Ephesian 5: 12

Oh, how good it is to be in the WORD! 

"... and CHRIST shall give thee light." (Ephesians 5:14).

There we find wisdom.... proving what is acceptable unto the LORD.

Holy and righteous Father, may we walk in the light of your Word and reprove the works of the darkness. May your Spirit manifest in us all goodness, righteousness and truth so that glory and honor and praise be given to you.

May you be encouraged today to sow unto the Spirit... and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

~Ellie

For in HIM we LIVE, and MOVE, and have our being...

" Serving the LORD with all humility of mind..." Acts 20:19

These past few days I have been meditating on the need for us to draw near to God. I have been so overwhelmed with the life of Paul while reading the book of Acts. 

We know how apostle Paul was brought to light... in a most direct intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was in no way that Saul (apostle Paul) was ever seeking to know the Lord Jesus... 

...why, Saul did all he could to persecute the believers and cause much turmoil. (Acts 8:3). 

And so I stand amazed at God's perfect plan to bring a sinner from darkness into light. 

As He worked with Saul, so He works with us.

This morning, while continuing my reading through the book of Acts, I was extremely blessed with a few verses.... verses that show apostle Paul's total devotion to His Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

His devotion was ever so strong... even when he knew he would have to suffer many things for the name of Jesus Christ... 

... and oh, what devotion and love for His Lord!

" And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit 

unto Jerusalem,

 not knowing the things that shall befall me there." 

Acts 20:22

"Except that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, 

saying that bonds and afflictions await me." 

Acts 22:23

I am overwhelmed at Paul's total denying of self.  

His total devotion in serving His Master is written  in the following verse: 

" But none of these things move me, 

neither count I my life dear unto myself, 

so that I might finish my course with joy, 

and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, 

to testify the gospel of the grace of God."  

Acts: 20:24

I thank the Lord for the reminder this morning, that  just as He worked with apostle Paul... He works with me. Oh, that I would live for the praise of His glory...

So thankful to the Lord that I was found of Him.

I SOUGHT THE LORD

Author: Anonymous

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew

He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me.

It was not I that found, O Savior true;

No, I was found of thee.

 Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;

I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea.

'Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,

As thou, dear Lord, on me.

I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole

Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!

For thou wert long beforehand with my soul;

Always Thou lovedst me. 

Father, Thank you for bringing light in a world of darkness through your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for making it possible that we might live through Him. 

May you purpose in your heart to live a life fully devoted to the One who redeemed us by His precious blood...

~Ellie

My strength is made perfect in weakness...

" But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. " Ephesians 4:7

Do you ever marvel at God's perfect ways... to encourage us in our daily walk? How the LORD so graciously provides for our spiritual needs?

As I was preparing breakfast, the radio played softly... hymns being sung, scripture being read. 

I cherish these moments where I can go about my daily activities and be blessed in the hearing of God's word.... and be encouraged to lift my thoughts on the things above.

You know, God's beautiful reminders are given to strengthen us... through song, through His word... reminding us that we are not alone.

"... If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, 

let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; ... 

and pardon our iniquity and our sin, 

and take us for thine inheritance."

Exodus 34:9

God's grace sufficient for my days...

I stopped a bit from preparing breakfast and was uplifted through the song playing... decided to post it in the hopes that it encourages you as well.

GIVE ME GRACE FOR THE LIVING OF THESE DAYS

Lord, when I face the far horizon, and I see just how far I’ve still to go

Lord, when I’m weary with the journey, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the plains are green before me and I’m lost in the wonder of the view,

Lord, keep me moving ever onward, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the mountain that I’m climbing seems too high and I cannot reach the crest,

Lord, when my spirits are declining, give me then your inner rest.

Lord, when the sunshine beams upon me in a time that is peaceful, serene,

Lord, when I think I do not need you prompt my spirit from within.

Lord, when I carry heavy burdens and concern for my brother weighs me down,

Lord, when my prayers are not yet answered, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, if the time should be disjointed and I’m tempted by fear and dismay,

Lord, when my dreams are disappointed, give me grace for the living of these days.

Lord, when the battle rages ’round me and I know I must stand there on my own,

Lord, may your inner strength remind me I must strive – but not alone.

Lord, when the suddenness of sorrow leaves me faint with despair and with grief,

Lord, may your mighty love console me, give me grace, my God, and your peace.

Bryan Jeffrey Leach

We are not alone...

May God's grace be upon you as you serve Him today...

~Ellie

Who is so GREAT a God as our GOD?

" Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? "  Ps. 71:19

After reading Psalm 77 this morning, I stopped a bit and reflected on the verse that asks the question, " Who is so great a God as our GOD?" vs. 13. I meditated on God's power seen in everything around us... the nature is full of HIS glory. And I also reflected on HIS faithfulness to HIS people.... throughout all generations. OH, how true... there is none besides HIM!

Before stepping out to face the day, I began singing a few words of praise to my LORD... before long I thought the words went so well, that I took a pen to jot down my thoughts in free prose. In a matter of minutes I wrote a 4 stanza song as a praise to GOD... who is the only one deserving of our praise.  May HIS great power be enough for us today, for HE carries us in the palm of HIS hand.

O, LORD you are mighty 

O, Lord you are great 

 You are the only one

 Deserving of our praise

****

Your hand always protects us,

You guide us on our path,

To keep us from all ill

And satisfy our hearts.

***

O, LORD you are gracious,

O, LORD you are faithful,

Your mercies never fail

We honor you today.

***

Thank you Lord Jesus,

For dying on the cross

Redeeming us forever

To thine eternal care. 

~Ellie 3/13/14

May you know how GREAT our GOD is today... HE can accomplish anything that comes your way.

~Ellie