Walk in Truth

Ephesians 4:17b

walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

The beginning of Ephesians 4 tells us to walk worthy. Just sixteen verses later, Paul again talks about how we should walk-or not walk. We are not to walk as those of this world. We are called to be different.

The world walks "in the vanity of their mind." What exactly does that mean? What are we to avoid?

vanity = what is void of truth and appropriateness; perverseness, depravity; frailty, want of vigor.

Do you see that? "void of truth" Haven't we been talking about truth? We are sanctified by truth. We fight evil with truth. The world is void of truth.

So, even though this verse seems like it is telling us something different from the first verse of the chapter, it really isn't! When it comes down to it, it is saying we must walk in truth which is how we "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called."

Most people don't want to stand out from the crowd; however, we must. The world walks not in truth and we must walk in truth. It is the only way to be different from the world.

John 15:19 KJV 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 17:14 KJV 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Christ calls us to not be of the world! He has given us God's word which is truth and that ruth is what sanctifies us and makes us different!

Walk in truth!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 8:4

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

Later in this chapter of Proverbs, Wisdom is spoken of being with God before the world began. We know that Christ was with God before the world began (John 1:1-2 KJV, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.). If Wisdom is Christ, then this verse is proof that Christ calls out to us. He desires us to join Him. How will you respond to Wisdom today?

Be Confident to Walk

Ephesians 6:14

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,

Ephesians 6:17

And take . . . .  the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Remember when I mentioned that we must know truth and renew our minds with it? What about the reference to John where Christ says that God's word is truth?

Do you see here in Ephesians that truth and the word of God are two pieces of the armor that we are to wear to battle against the principalities of this world?

Truth and God's word are very important. Just as Christ used truth/God's Word to combat the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4), we, too, can use truth/God's word to combat him. God's truth is powerful! God's word is sharper than any two edged sword. God's word will get right to the heart of a matter (Hebrews 4:12).

Practice using your sword and gird your loins with truth every day. It is only when we are knowledgeable of our armor that we will be confident to walk how God called us to walk.

He doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called!

Marriage Moment Monday

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

I think prayer is a major help to marriages. Prayers of each spouse individually, but also praying together.

I was surprised at how much our communication increase and how much closer our hearts grew when my husband and I started making prayer together a priority. It affected us even more than us doing a Bible study or devotional together.

We also learn that there are ways in which our prayers can be hindered. Your husband and yourself are both heirs together in Christ. We need to treat each other as such if we do not want our prayers hindered.

I highly suggest you see if your husband is willing to pray with you. If you already pray together, I would love to hear how it has affected your marriage. If it is something you start doing, please come back here and share the affects.

Sanctify

John 17:17

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Sanctify = to separate from profane things and dedicate to God, to purify, to purify internally by renewing of the soul.

This follows on what I said last time. I must renew my mind and focus on truth. Christ prayed this for us! In John He said it of His followers just before being betrayed by Judas, but it holds just as true for us today.

God's word is truth. Immerse yourself in His word. It is truth.

Repeat it to yourself. Memorize it. Decorate your home with it.

How do you immerse yourself with God's truth? I would love for you to share below!

Marriage Moment Monday

Not too long ago, there was a discussion on one of the facebook groups I am a part of. The discussion was what was the "normal" frequency of sex within a marriage. The answers ranged from not having sex for almost a year to sex two to three times a day every day! That just goes to prove that there isn't a "normal".

I will say, however, that the Bible gives some insight into this.

1 Corinthians 7:5

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

This tells us that we should not deny our bodies from our spouses for "a time" without it being consensual and for giving more time spent with the Lord. I would say that most likely, if it has been a few weeks or more (and there isn't a medical reason) that one of the spouses isn't giving his/her consent and that it isn't because you are giving all that time to fasting and prayer.

We also see in Amos that for a couple to walking the married life together, they must be in agreement.

Amos 3:3

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

I am not telling you that you need to have more sex in your marriage, but I am saying that it is worth having a discussion with your spouse about it. Marriage is so much better when both spouses are on the same page and working towards the same goal.

Words of Wisdom Wenesdays

Proverbs 7:6-7 KJV

6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

I am going to look at this from a new perspective-that of a keeper of the home. To be a keeper of the home, one must be home. It is when we are busy outside the home that we are enticed by what the world has to offer. Just as the harlot entices the youth with what he sees, smells, and hears, so the world entices many young women away from their God-given roles.

Walk Worthy

God calls me to walk worthy. How can I do that if I don't know who I am in Him? Not only do I have to know it, but I have to know it. It has to be in my heart and not just my mind.

This is my problem. I know who I am in my mind, but I am not walking in that knowledge. How will I learn to walk in the knowledge? By renewing my mind,

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

and by thinking what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I need to remind myself often of who I am until it becomes a part of me. I need to read God's truth over and over. I need to stay pure before God. I need to be honest with myself and God.

My Word for 2020

I first want to apologize for not being active for the past few months. Life got crazy (our oldest daughter got engaged, anniversary trip, MIL got engaged, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all of regular life). I am not promising to be as active as I had been with posting multiple times a week, but I do want to get back to posting at least once a week.

That being said, I wanted to share my word for 2020. I prayed about this for 2 weeks before God finally spoke to me and laid it on my heart.

Ephesians 4:1 KJV
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called

Walk.

There is so much in that little word. It is the Greek word peripateo which means:

to walk, to make one's way, progress, to make due use of opportunities, to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self, to pass one's life.

In Hebrew it means to live.

I am to live for Christ! I am to make use of the opportunities He has given me. I am to conduct my life as He has called me to live. I am to walk knowing who I am in Him.

I need to walk my talk.

Every year I like to create a coloring page with the verse that I hang on my wall by my bed to remind me every day. You are more than welcome to download it and use it yourself if you like.

Sunday Scripture

This time of year will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our son Gordon was born just days before Chad's dad, Gordon, passed. Truly, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV 

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.