On the Peripheral

Ephesians 1:15-23

The Message (MSG)

That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, butforever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

There is one

It’s all about this …………………

Everything we do is based upon how we see ourselves. Our identity is the most important thing about us, it’s the most significant thing we posses. Our attitudes, responses, actions, dreams and aspirations are birthed out of a positive or negative self evaluation.  We either believe in who we are and accept where we are at In life or we don’t.   When we lose sight of our identity, we lose sight of everything, we lose our purpose and calling in life.  Our purpose and calling are interwoven within our identity, for it is who we are that makes us do the things we do and not the other way round.  

When was the last time you saw yourself in the same way that God see’ s you? When was the last time you thought of yourself in the same way that God thinks of you? When was the last time you placed the same amount of value and significance on your life that God does? 

If we believe that God is who he says he is and can do exactly what he says he can do, then it makes sense to me that we should believe all that he says about us and the things we can do.  

It’s all about this …………………

Everything we do is based upon how we see ourselves. Our identity is the most important thing about us, it’s the most significant thing we posses. Our attitudes, responses, actions, dreams and aspirations are birthed out of a positive or negative self evaluation.  We either believe in who we are and accept where we are at In life or we don’t.   When we lose sight of our identity, we lose sight of everything, we lose our purpose and calling in life.  Our purpose and calling are interwoven within our identity, for it is who we are that makes us do the things we do and not the other way round.  

When was the last time you saw yourself in the same way that God see’ s you? When was the last time you thought of yourself in the same way that God thinks of you? When was the last time you placed the same amount of value and significance on your life that God does? 

If we believe that God is who he says he is and can do exactly what he says he can do, then it makes sense to me that we should believe all that he says about us and the things we can do.  Imagine what your life would look like if you cho

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In his book  Forgotten God, Francis Chan asks the question “what would your church look like if everyone was as committed as you? If everyone gave, served and prayed exactly like you, would the church be healthy and empowered? Or would it be weak and listless?”

STEPS TO SUCCESS

Most of us, if not all of us have a desire in our lives to be successful in life.  Our cultural environments will lead us to believe that we can all have success and be successful in every area of our lives.  Some people would lead us to believe that the opportunity to become an overnight success is available to everyone given the right set of circumstances.  More often than not, the success we have in life is determined by the choices we make as a result of the circumstances we face.  

Success can be defined as ‘The accomplishment of an aim or purpose’ and as Christians we can define success as ‘The ability to live out the plan and purpose of God in our lives, to live our lives in purpose and on purpose.’

After the death of Moses God called Joshua to lead the Israelites and said these words

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 

Successful living is the product of knowledge, obedience, focus and courage.

Knowing God,Obeying God, Focusing on God and Believing God are the foundational steps to Success!  


 
   

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