Dear Heavenly Father, I Love you and praise you as my Creator and Sustainer. You love me and desire what is best for me. Thank you for that love which is given freely and without boundaries. Help me listen to your words and be willing to apply them to my life. Forgive me Lord for wanting my own way and not totally surrendering to you. I need you Jesus. I Love you Lord and desire to live my life to bring you honor and praise and glory because you alone are worthy. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen Ephesians 5:3-7
New International Version (NIV)
“3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a]
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
7 Therefore do not be partners with them.”
Wow!!! How do people see me? Do people see my life as being different from the world? Sunday Pastor Delton said “Jesus calls His church to unity and purity that the world might know him.” Jesus wants my actions and my words to be uplifting and wholesome so people will see Him living in me. I need to daily put on my new self.
Do I have any immorality, impurity, or greed? Are my words wholesome and thankful?
The world is watching. What do they see? What do they hear?
Are my words empty or full of the Life of Jesus?
A few years ago, over a 3 year time span, a lot of changes occurred in my life and I chose to allow bitterness to take over. At that time, God removed me from some of the work He had given me to do. My words had become harmful and empty and dead. Sometimes I knew when I had spoken harshly. Sometimes I was totally surprised when I later realized my words had been empty and hurtful. During that time God worked in my heart, through the Holy Spirit, to convict me of my sin so I would repent and put on my new self again. He placed people in my life to encourage me with their love. The problem was I did not want to stop feeling sorry for myself BUT God did not give up on me. He placed the desire in my heart to be restored to Him. It did not matter what had happened. He was still God. I remembered His promises to be with me, that He loved me and I am His. He is my Redeemer and my Savior. God did not change. I did. I repented and received His forgiveness. Every day I need to be still and remember that He alone is God. Each day I need to put on my new self and start walking in the light of the Lord. After a time He graciously restored me and gave me work to do. I am so glad He protected His people from me but never turned from me. I am so thankful to have such a gracious, merciful and loving Heavenly Father. I want my life to be totally surrendered to Jesus. He is worthy of my all.
The world is watching you.
What in your life needs to be addressed and changed so it will honor and glorify God?
My Dear Lord Jesus I come to you now to be restored in you, to be renewed in you, to receive your love and your life, and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need today. You alone are my God and I honor you and surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you. I thank you Lord for always being with me. Forgive me for my pride and selfishness and protect the people who would turn from you because of me. Help me to live a life worthy of being your child. Amen
Charleen