#Ephesians 5:27

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

by William Jay

Morning, March 20th

A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. - Ephesians 5:27

The church, when presented to the Saviour by himself, will be glorious. And is not his church glorious now? It is. It is not a glorious church indeed in the eyes of the world, for the world knoweth them not; they are often like their Lord, “despised and rejected of men;” but they are glorious in the eyes of the Lord. The Judge of all, even when he sees them “wandering in goatskins and sheep-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,” says, “Of them the world is not worthy.” We may turn to the language of God in one of the Psalms:-“Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.” What are the mountains of prey? Why, those empires that love war,-that live on the spoil or the prey. Nothing is so splendid in the view of carnal men as these mountains of prey.

We see how the Assyrian, the Persian, the Macedonian, and the Roman empires were presented by God to Daniel. He saw them as “four great beasts coming up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second, like to a bear; and it raised itself up on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it; and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo, another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

But though the church is now “glorious,” and “more glorious than the mountains of prey,” yet its glory is partially prevented and obscured now. It is so by the fewness of its numbers. Here we can only see the Lord’s army in its recruiting state, or as learning its exercise, or as practising in small detachments. But when the whole shall be completed, oh, then may it well be said, “Who is this that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?” Its glory is now partially prevented and obscured by inter-mixtures. The lilies are among the thorns; the tares are among the wheat. “Among my people,” says God, “are found wicked men;” and now we very well know the few will often characterize the many, and the false will throw suspicion on the true, and the bad will serve to disgrace the good. “But then,” says our Saviour, “the angels shall gather together out of his kingdom everything that offends;” and then he will cast them into a furnace of fire; “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth;” and “then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

It is now also partially prevented and obscured by their outward condition. They are now often poor; then shall they “possess all things.” They are often despised now; then their very enemies will exclaim, “We fools counted their lives madness, and their end to be without honour; now are they numbered with the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.” Now they are often oppressed; many rise over their heads; but “the righteous shall have dominion over them in the morning.” Now they are judged, (how falsely judged often!) but then they will be the judges:-“What, know ye not that the saints will judge the world? Know ye not that saints shall judge angels?” Now they “groan, being burdened;” then they will be freed from the burden of the flesh, and those vile bodies shall be fashioned like the Saviour’s own glorious body.

Above all, the glory of the church is now partially prevented and obscured by moral infirmities. They are, indeed, made to differ from others, and from their former selves; but they are not yet fully sanctified. But the apostle tells the Colossians that they who have been “sometime alienated, and enemies in their minds by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present them holy and unblamable in his sight.”

[doulafaith]

Harmony

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:3 I am sure many of us have witnessed two distinct ways of singing a song and playing an instrument; and one appears to be more of a gift or an acquired gift than the other. There is the soloist and musician who studies the notes and practices methodically until the…

[trueconservativepundit]

Come to Jesus Today

By Adrian Rogers “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  Ephesians 5:25-27 Who is the bride of Jesus? It is the…

[fardell24b]

Church notes - 27th August 2023

27th Colossians 3:16

Ephesians 4:11 - 16

Challenge: Become like Jesus Change our thinking, lifestyle and attitudes.

Romans 8:29 He wants us to become like Jesus Our values and moral decisions to be like Jesus.

Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22, 23

Romans 5:3, 4 God is more interested in who you are, than what you do.

God uses troubles to teach us to trust Him.

God uses temptations to teach us to obey Him.

God uses trespasses to teach us to forgive.

Matthew 27:41 - 44

Four Habits of a Disciple The habit of time in God's Word The Habit of Prayer The Habit of Tithing The Habit of Fellowship

2 Timothy 3:16

James 1:22 - 25

Matthew 6:9 - 15 Start with praise of God Committ to God's plan for your life Our daily needs Forgiveness Protection

Tithing. 1 Corinthians 16:2

Fellowship. Hebrews 10:24, 25

[drshermaines-wisdomnuggets]

"THE CROSS DISARMED SATAN"

Colossians 2:11-15, “In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts). [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through…

[lovergirlforjesus]

blogs that support sexism, DNI. female inferiority is not supported by the Bible. female submission to the Lord and to her husband is biblically supported, but so is mutual submission within marriage. love is not about superiority, inferiority, or domination. love is about giving yourselves to each other. 

i believe men and women are like apples and oranges. we are equal in value, worth, and humanity, but different. this does not mean that one is better or less than the other. both were created in the image of God. both are equally needed in society. please never imply that my account insinuates women are less than men. i believe in traditional love that appreciates our differences. ♡

on men and women: 

Genesis 1:27: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

on love & marriage:

Genesis 2:24: "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

Ephesians 5:21: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

1 Corinthians 7:3-4: “…The wife does not have authority over her own body, but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but yields it to his wife."

1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

[lovechristianity]

Work on being a better godly women day by day until the right one that fears God come in 💪🏻

A Godly Woman is:

She is a woman who is humble, obedient to God, and loving. Luke 10:27

She is a woman who is willing to sacrifice her own desires for the sake of others. Philippians 2:3-4

She is a woman who is prayerful and who seeks to know and do God’s will. James 5:16

She is a woman who is modest in her dress and in her behavior. 1 Timothy 2:8-10

She is a woman who is careful in her thoughts and in her actions. Philippians 4:8

She is a woman who is a good role model for other women. Titus 2:7-8

She is a woman who is always learning and growing in her faith. 2 Peter 3:18

She is a woman who is an example of God’s grace to those around her. Romans 12:16-21

She is a woman who works on forgiveness toward others. Ephesians 4:32

She is a woman who values God’s opinion above ALL others. Proverbs 31:30

[thewordfortheday]

You will be a crown of splendour in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

Our God is a loving and caring God. He takes broken people, people considered useless, and makes something beautiful out of their lives. He makes them whole, He makes them useful in His hand, He does incredible things through them. That's how extravagant His love is. Each of us could testify to this, how He took us out of the miry pit and gave us a chance at life. Not only that, He is preparing us to be the Bride of Christ. He's moulding and shaping us to be conformed to His image. He has washed our sins with His blood and made us white as snow. Now He's so proud to show us off to the world, holding us in His hand for all to see— a splendid crown in the hand of God. Yes that's His ultimate plan for us. “so that He might present the church to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:27

[heathersdesk]

Scriptures for Going No Contact with Your Parents

Have a toxic relationship with your parents that is unsafe and unfixable?

Do you get violently sideswiped by I Am a Child of God or Families Can Be Together Forever, too?

I got you, fam!

My parents haven't really been parents to me since I was 12 years old. I was No Contact with my dad once he went to jail and we never reconciled before he died. I'm currently No Contact with my mom because she is a profoundly unsafe person, who now lives in a constant state of delusion and paranoia from all the drugs she has done in her life. Her refusal to get help and how badly she has treated me during her mental health crises throughout my life has destroyed our relationship. I made very deliberate choices as an adult to keep her at a safe distance from me, even before I finally went no contact.

God doesn't give everyone who has ever lived a loving and functional family. It doesn't mean he loves you less. It doesn't mean you don't matter, or you don't deserve better.

If you need some scriptures to remind yourself of that, hold onto these:

Psalm 27:10

Matthew 10:36, 12:46-50, John 7:5

Ephesians 6:4. This one is especially important if you have trauma surrounding "Honor thy Father and Mother." The mandate to follow this commandment (especially in a deferential traditional sense) is conditional on verse 4, a fact that some people like to conveniently ignore.

1 Nephi 21:15-16

You're allowed to be disappointed in your parents. God is not going to be upset with you for that. He's certainly not going to punish you for it, and being in conflict with your family is not in and of itself a divine punishment.

Take care of yourself. Know you're not alone in what you're going through. There are others at Church going through the same or similar things, even if you can't see it. And Jesus knows exactly how you feel, even in this. His family also didn't always understand or support him in who God made him to be. He existed in a state of conflict with his brothers for a season, a fact the scriptures acknowledge openly.

Why is this happening to you? Because it can happen to anyone. None of us are promised a perfect family that always gets along. Sometimes it'll have nothing to do with you and everything to do with the choices other people make to choose conflict over love, coercion over connection. That's not your fault.

Found family happens in the Church. If you need some found family, your congregation is a great place to invest in some. Tumblrstake can be a great place for it, too.

The healing that is needed for the recovery of some relationships won't come until heaven. If you're waiting for that day, you're in good company. Keep your chin up and be strong! We'll get through this together❤️

[coffeeman777]

Jon Root:

"I pray this month everyone is reminded of the truths that:

- Marriage is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7:2-16; Ephesians 5:23-33)

- God is love (1 John 4:7-21)

- The rainbow is about a promise from God to never flood the earth again (Genesis 9:11–15)

- Homosexuality is a sin (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9)

- The sexually immoral will not enter heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-20)

- No matter your sexual sin, there is hope, peace and most importantly, forgiveness upon true repentance. (1 John 1:9)

"These are foundational, objective truths. They don’t change because God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and always (Hebrews 13:8). I take pride in these truths."

[doulafaith]

Christ's Breakthrough

“His Abide”  Reading  Reflecting Responding To God’s Word while Walking it Out Context: Matthew 27: 1-66 Focus:  Matthew 27:51-52 “At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.” Matthew 27: 51-52 Definition: Breakthrough – a military…

[trueconservativepundit]

Do You Love Like Jesus?

By Adrian Rogers “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  Ephesians 5:25-27 Do you know what my assignment from God…

[godhasatenderheart]

how do you know for sure you won't end up in hell?

Hello! I saw your other message assuring me not to worry about responding because of the grieving process. Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness—it truly means a lot. May God bless your sweet soul. 🩷

It’s comforting to know that, because of God’s promises in the Bible, there’s assurance that we won’t end up in Hell. Many verses speak of salvation and bring peace. Sometimes, due to severe trauma, trusting in that love and safety can be difficult, but it’s a journey to trust in what God has promised.

When doubt about salvation or God’s promises arises, the best remedy is prayer and spending time in the Word. Trusting God fully and consistently is one of the hardest parts of the Christian walk, and it’s a lifelong journey. If doubt about salvation occurs, please know that it’s a normal part of the walk and can be overcome.

This world is filled with evil, and Satan continuously works to shake that faith. We face attacks, criticism, and feelings of shame and unworthiness. Yet, the Bible reveals God’s character, and when we trust in what He has said, there is assurance of salvation.

I’ll share some Scripture that speaks to our salvation under the cut, so as not to flood anyone’s timeline. I hope this can be helpful, beloved!

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

—Acts 16:30-31 (ESV)

More Scripture of salvation assurance below:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

—1 John 5:13 (ESV)

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

—Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

—Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

—John 3:16 (ESV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

—Job 19:25-27 (ESV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

—1 John 1:9 (ESV)

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

—Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

—John 5:24 (ESV)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

—John 10:27-28 (ESV)

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

—Romans 5:9-10 (ESV)

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

—Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

—Romans 8:28-30 (ESV)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

—2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

—Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

—Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

—2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV)

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

—Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

—Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

—1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

—1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[walkswithmyfather]

We often say 'good morning' to others, but did you know that there's another meaning of 'good morning'?

G - Get up. Romans 13:1

O - Open your heart. Ephesians 3:17

O - Open your mind. Romans 12:2

D - Dedicate your day to God. Colossians 1:18

M - Meditate on God's word. Joshua 1:8

O - Optimise your faith. Romans 5:2

R - Rebuke all evils. Proverbs 27:5

N - Never doubt Gods love. Matthew 21:21

I - Inspire someone. Job 32:8

N - Nothing should scare. Psalm 27:1

G - Go out with joy. John 16:24.

So, GOOD MORNING to you!

Amen! 🙏🕊️🙌

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt; he took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father; only, he sacrificed and burnt incense at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings upon that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. — 1 Kings 3:1-15 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 28:16; Genesis 41:7; Leviticus 17:3; Numbers 27:17; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 12:2; Deuteronomy 31:2; Joshua 18:21; 1 Samuel 13:9; 2 Samuel 7:8; 1 Kings 1:48; 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 4:31; 1 Kings 7:1; 2 Chronicles 1:11; Psalm 91:16; Proverbs 3:2; Daniel 2:21; Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:13; Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 8:3; Ephesians 3:20; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:5; James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15

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Hymns for 1 Kings 3