Jordan Independent - Ephesians - Comments

Can we ever pray enough? Not

KoolD — Thu, 24 May 2007 07:12:17 -0500

Can we ever pray enough? Not likely. Jesus made an example of prayer for his disciples to pray all the time. No matter the circumstance. Prayer is conversation to me. It is meeting the one I love and adore. Jesus. I love Him and I live for that day, when I am with Him forever. It is the basis of what I believe and trust in.

Life is tedious at times, even downright boring. Chores to do, people to see, problems to solve. Life is meant to be lived. I guess that as time has passed, I want to live real. I believe that when we read the word of God. We need to swallow it whole. Meaning we do not whimper over the hard teachings on sin and morality. We certainly do not take the position of reinterpreting to match our likes for sinful behaviors. If we do? All we have is religion. Dead and useless. The bible is not an easy read. Yet it is the basis of truth. If we pray and believe, no matter the outcome. We “feel” better. I am not suggesting a feel good religion. I am talking about men and women who believe. Who get cancer, who have strokes. Who have car accidents. We are not protected from life’s issues and pain. Nor was Christ. But prayer helps us to cope. Just knowing that there is one listening is a comfort to a hurting heart. But to know that there is a living God that is confirmed by the Holy Spirit in us. Is a great peace to the soul. All is indeed well with my soul as the old hymn would suggest.

In His Service
KoolD

What an edifying

Mathias Baden — Tue, 22 May 2007 10:13:21 -0500

What an edifying conversation! I'm going to write about what I'm reading more often. But I forgot to read anything this morning. Maybe I can take a minute to read my Bible during lunchtime.

Good points, KoolD. I am a mature Christian. I can hardly even remember not being a Christian. Since my belief began so long ago, sometimes tend to let my focus turn to perseverance in following the will of God, rather than remembering the gift of the Christ's cross, which I have accepted.

As you and Brandon have pointed out, I need to do both -- believe and persevere.

I don't think I pray enough, either. Can you ever pray enough?

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Agreed there is much more to

KoolD — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:39:25 -0500

Agreed there is much more to becoming and being a believer when one communes with the living God. I agree with all you said. Thanks for the clarification. Many times my faith is that simple, thanks for the additional scripture that fills in the thoughts.

KoolD

I agree that God is

Brandon — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:10:21 -0500

I agree that God is intimately involved with our daily lives and that reading and believing is the first step. I’d also add, though, that God isn’t just going to carry you along – we have to act in the relationship, too. Faith, truth and salvation are all very important, but one line that gets ignored in this passage a lot is the last one (where Mathias cut out of the passage). In the NIV, Paul writes "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

That’s an awful lot of prayer!

I’ve heard it said that the best way to build a relationship with anyone is to talk to that person and have real, meaningful conversations. The same goes for God, and we can do that through prayer and the Holy Spirit. That’s a big step toward wearing His armor every day.

Thoughts on the Armor of

KoolD — Tue, 22 May 2007 06:38:25 -0500

Thoughts on the Armor of God

How do I do that, exactly? Do I already do all of that? Am I wearing the armor of God and praying all the time? How strong is my faith in God -- as strong as armor?

Mathias,

Your questions are to do with actions. Yet the actions you have already taken. Like believing, living out the truth. The steps of any man or woman are counted by a living God. When one reads and believes, one becomes. God is not inert, innocuous or uninterested. He honors those who read and believe. I am convinced that He is intimately involved in the walk of faith. Believe and seek Him. He will provide the armor and the escape if needed. Trust Him.

In His Service
KoolD

KoolD, I think you're right

Mathias Baden — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:53:55 -0500

KoolD, I think you're right on. The whole passage is about submission to each other in love. There are a lot of great examples in here.

What a great link, by the way. Thanks.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Mathias, I think that the

KoolD — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:18:40 -0500

Mathias,

I think that the use of the word "Submit" is one that perhaps could have been used differently. In the years being involved in the Body of Christ. I have seen times where the use of the word, was convenient for some men. They would use it as a club. Too bad. Because I believe that we are not called to make anyone submit. We are called to love one another. Perhaps submission because we love would be more accurate. I would do something for someone because I care...Not because I can make them do anything. That would not be love, that is control.

In a marriage. We love and we give. We share and we share more. I think that Paul was describing love in action. He called to love as Christ loved the church. I think one can derive from that statement. That we are to be reciprocal to our mates. We are to lay down our lives if called to for the ones we love.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/words.pl?book=Eph&chapter=5&verse...