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ThinkOnIt Bible DevotionsElizabeth Marks (481)    ThinkOnIt Devotions Who Are You Controlled By?Posted Saturday, October 10, 2009 (42 days 3 hours ago.) Viewed 19 times. Read Ephesians 1 and 2. If you have the time, read both chapters more than once. When I did I noticed the phrase "according to" really started to stand out. Check out these lists below. (Again if you didn't read it for yourself first, STOP and READ IT before continuing. From Ephesians 1 "According to The good pleasure of His will" The riches of His grace" His good pleasure" The purpose of Him" The counsel of His will" The working of His mighty power" From Ephesians 2 "according to The course of this world" The prince of the power of the air" The lust of our flesh" The desires of flesh and mind" What does this mean? The more I meditated on these phrases, the more it seems they are pictures of who we are controlled by. Once we were controlled by the list in Ephesians 2. But God intervened. He has a plan and we are part of it. Now we, who believe, are Spirit-led by God Himself. Ephesians 1 list seems like a reminder of who it's all for and who is really in control. Which of these two lists best represents you? If the second list presently reflects you, would you like list one to represent you instead? All it takes is a decision to believe what God said. Believe in His Son Jesus, who He sent to save us. He died on a cross to pay for your sin and mine. God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Well, if you're still undecided maybe call out to God like the father in Mark 9:24 did, "Lord I believe; help my unbelief!" Recognize we all sin (Romans 3:23). Acknowledge Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9). Become a child of God who is adopted into the family of God through faith in Christ (1 John 3:1, Ephesians 1:5). Salvation is a gift of God no one can earn it or boast about it, because it is God's doing. Our part is to receive the gift and open it to experience the joy of His Salvation. Lord Jesus, we believe we are sinners and need your saving grace. Help us accept your gift of Salvation. Help our unbelief. Forgive us and make us new creations in you. We pray these things in your name and you said the Father will give us whatever we ask according to His will in your name. Amen. Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade. Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word. 
Permalink Comments (0) Uncertainty Prompts PrayerPosted Saturday, October 10, 2009 (42 days 3 hours ago.) Viewed 14 times. Read Genesis 32 Jacob was returning to his own country, when his messengers came back saying Esau is coming with four hundred men. Remembering what he had done to his brother, Jacob now feared for his life, his wife and his children. There's nothing like a little fear or uncertainty to get us praying. That's what Jacob did. Genesis 32:9-12 NJV says: Then Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you'. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'" This is a good prayer pattern for us too. Notice his reverence, humility and honesty displayed in this prayer. Reverence to God comes first "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me". Putting God first helps us put our requests in proper perspective. Humility is expected. "I am not worthy." When we acknowledge God is God and we are not, we will be humble. The request comes next "Deliver me". God wants us to ask Him for things. James tells us we don't receive because we don't ask. So bring your requests before the Lord, but do it in an honoring order. Be honest with your feelings "for I fear him". God knows how you feel, but it is good for us to express our feelings. Bringing these feelings forward and putting them in the hands of God brings comfort and peace. Remember God's promises "You said" This is not really reminding God what He said. God does not forget. It's more about reinforcing His truth in our minds. It's a reminder God is faithful to His Word. Next time you pray, see if you have these elements present in this order. After you pray, it's time for action. Moving forward despite uncertainty all because God said so is putting faith in motion. Lord my God, we are your humble servants. We ask for deliverance from anything that hinders our relationship with you. Sometimes we can't tell what's getting in the way, but we know you can. Guide us by your Holy Spirit, reveal to us what needs to change in our lives. Draw us close through remembrance of all your glorious promises to us. In Jesus' name Amen. Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade. Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
Permalink Comments (0) For He Himself is our peacePosted Saturday, October 10, 2009 (42 days 3 hours ago.) Viewed 10 times. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-22 NKJV The law separates people who think they keep the law and those who know they don't. The law was meant to show everyone their sinfulness. Some used the law to show themselves better than others because they didn't break certain laws. For others the law caused hopelessness because they could not keep it 100% of the time. The law drew a line between the people. It separated. It caused division, not unity in awareness of sin. Enter Jesus Christ. Enough of the law. The people can't keep it, so He will fulfill all the law for them. Now peace is possible. All people have access to God through Jesus Christ. Not two ways to God, one way through Christ Jesus. John 14:6 NKJV says " Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Now we are no longer separated from others and from God. We are fellow citizens with the saints. We belong to the household of God. We are being fit together as a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. For Jesus is our peace. He is the ultimate Peacemaker. In Him we have peace. In Him we have assess to God. In Him we have forgiveness of sin. In Him we have life abundantly. Lord Jesus we thank you for all you do for us. Thank you for the peace beyond our understanding. Thank you for life forever more. In your precious name we pray. Amen. Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade. Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
Permalink Comments (0) Give a lasting gift this Mother’s DayPosted Saturday, May 03, 2008 (1 year 202 days ago.) Viewed 43 times. 
There are three things every mother desires and they might not be what you're thinking. The first is to know she's loved. The second is to know she is of value to her family. Thirdly, she wants to be appreciated, just anyone would want for all their hard work. This year instead of doing the same old thing, try using Mother's Day as an excuse to act on your love, her value to you, and pour on the appreciation. Let's take a look at how we can apply these things in our life. Make sure she knows you love her. Taking our queue from God, who gave Himself so we could live, we too should give of our self to show our love. How better to do that than to sacrifice our time for our mother? Here are a few ideas:
Make sure she knows you value her. How do we show we value someone? One way is by showing respect. A friend of mine always told her kids, "Please treat your siblings as if they were strangers." Sounds kind of strange doesn't it? Think about it, aren't you more polite to total strangers? Why are we more respectful towards people we don't know? Why do we take for granted those we love who are closest to us? I don't know but perhaps we should pretend mom is a stranger, so we treat our self into treating her more respectfully. Another way to value your mother is to listen to what she says. Let's face it she's lived longer than us. If we would humble our self and listen to her words of wisdom, we might discover she's right. By listening we are giving respect where it's due. One other way of valuing her is to spend time with her. Time is our most precious commodity. Once time is spent it's gone forever and can't be used again. If you are willing to spend time it sends the signal that she matters to you. Spending time means she is important to you. Make sure she knows she is appreciated. Here are a few ideas to your mom know you care:
Using manners and politeness is always appreciated. Flowers and cards are equally nice. Don't forget her birthday and anniversary. These are very important to her. Remembering those will go a long way in letting her know you appreciate her. These three things love, value and appreciation are lasting gifts that don't fade away. Giving these gifts will deposit rewards in heaven, because they are unselfish, honoring to God, and to the person they are bestowed upon. Your good deeds will not go unnoticed either. So if you want to give mom the best Mother's Day, try lavishing the love, turn up the volume of her value, and start abundantly appreciating her. You won't regret it. Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.
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