Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Ephesians 4:7-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said,
“When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
he gave gifts to his people.”

(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

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Reflect

Growing up is hard to do! We often are comfortable in our childish ways and would rather stay there, but we cannot remain there. God has given us the grace to grow up through the power of the Holy Spirit!

God has also given us the gifts of several positions to equip us to do ministry and build up each other all for the glory of God! God doesn’t say, “Hey, figure it out on your own.” God has given us each other to help mature us in the faith by speaking the truth in love! Let’s face it, the truth hurts sometimes, but we must have the truth so that we can grow up in every way into Christ Jesus our Lord through the power of love!

It isn’t always easy being the person whom God has called to speak that truth in love into others’ lives, but we must be obedient whether it is comfortable or not. We have a job on this earth to further God’s Kingdom while giving God all the glory! In order to do this, we must grow up. Whew, I am praying for you and will you please pray for me?

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Pray

“Loving God, full of grace, thank You for helping us mature in the faith! Thank You for not leaving us alone, but always pursuing us! You never give up on us, Lord and we are eternally grateful to You! Help us, O Lord, to be obedient no matter what! Thank You, Lord! We love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen”

Go with God!