During one of my courses this past year while obtaining my Master’s degree, I had to choose a passage to write a paper on, and I was led by the Spirit to choose Ephesians 4:1-6.
I had to take it apart, line by line, and exegete it, explaining what Paul was truly saying in the original Greek language.
The first three verses seem to tell a message of how we are to grow in Christ, within the calling that the Lord placed on us (myself, it is in the office of a Prophet and to fight against the demonic in Spiritual Warfare), letting those virtues take hold of us, as we “let go” of ourselves more and more, to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29-30).
The next three verses, 4-6, is the KEY to allowing the Lord to do is work within each of us—Paul reminding us that there is ONE (εις) Spirit, that is, the HOLY SPIRIT of God, which enters into each “born again” believer of Christ (Jn. 3:3,5,7), once they truly become His child through faith in Him (Jn. 1:12).
We have that ONE HOPE that keeps us moving forward in our faith (vs. 4),
Along with knowing there is ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, and ONE BAPTISM—not several thousand splinters of beliefs that they enemy of our souls managed to deceive us to do within the Church Body;
Because there is only ONE GOD and FATHER of us ALL (vs. 6), who is the Father of Spirits (Heb. 12:9), to Whom One Day, we ALL must appear before and give an account of ourselves (2 Cor. 5:10) at the Judgment, and how we used the gifts, talents, skills and abilities that He gave unto each of us.
If we choose to HONOR the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in this short time here on Earth, He faithfully promises to reward us at the End of Days, as long as we serve Him with the right heart and mindset (Col. 3:23-34), and by not losing heart and growing weary (Gal. 6:9), while striving to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3).
Remember, the Lord CALLED us to be HIS servants. Servants OBEY the Master.
The LORD is the Captain of the Host—we are part of His Holy Army, as are the angels that serve Him.
He IS the ONE God and Father of us ALL—both the angelic and the human spirits—Who is OVER all and THROUGH all and-don’t forget this child of God-IN all (vs. 6).
Does the LORD hear us in our day of trouble? He sure does. Lately, this world hasn’t had a day or two of trouble–it is a DAILY thing now, as we approach the End of Days.
I know most people do not want to hear about that, even those who profess Christ. They want to continue on with their daily lives, doing what they want, how they want, and when they want.
But we all cannot ignore the obvious for much longer–it is evident to me and many others who are “sober and watchful unto prayer”, that the time that the Lord Jesus spoke about, and the prophets warned us about-even the Apostle John in his writing of the Book of Revelation-that there would come a day when THE Day of trouble–the Day of the LORD–would happen.
It IS approaching, and I suspect those of us who are paying attention, SEE and HEAR the signs and warnings of all that is going on around us.
I can only hope that many more will wake up to the reality that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have to FINISH what they started several millennia ago.
There was to be a generation of people who would experience such things. There was the generation in Noah’s day to experience the worldwide Flood; then the generation in Moses’ day to experience all the 10 plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, and Moses coming down from the Mount with the 10 commandments.
There was a generation who witnessed the birth of the Messiah, and also in that generation of people, became some of His disciples and followers (and also His mother and foster father!). They saw and experience many miracles, and walked with the Image of the Invisible God for 33 years, until He was crucified for all of our sins, died, and then was resurrected, defeating Death and Hell in the process, making a way for all of us to have that opportunity to return to the Father–the LORD of Spirits.
There was a generation of believers for many centuries, starting with the first disciples, that became martyrs of the Faith, because they would not deny Christ. They longed for the Day that Christ would return and deliver them out of the evil they were witnessing more and more. But all of that was just the beginning of the walk of Faith with Christ and His Word. More was to be fulfilled, but many years hence.
NOW there is a generation, who after 2000+ years after the resurrection of Christ, that has seen MANY changes in this world, ESPECIALLY in the last 150 years or so. Rapid changes in technology, finances, society, behaviors, faith, families, etc.
Dare I say that since the 1960’s, there has been much more work in the demonic realm than anyone has seen in a long time. I do believe that we may just be that generation to see and experience much more supernatural events than we have ever bargined for.
That’s because the demons and fallen angels themselves know, that That Day is NEAR. And they are getting bolder and acting out in the physical realm more than ever before. They know their end is near, and do not care how many humans they take with them to the eternal fires. The more humans they can trick and deceive into falling away from the faith, or staying away from The Lord altogether and continue to deny Him, the more they get to spite the LORD God for casting them down and sentencing them to an eternal death. Billions already have entered into perdition…
The Day of the LORD approaches. We must be ready for it–mentally, emotionally, physically, and most of all–spiritually. One day of trouble in a person’s life is nothing these days. The world is FULL of trouble, because it has forsaken the LORD God, and He is about to remind them very SOON, Who rules and reigns in Heaven, on Earth, and below the Earth. He will finally take back ALL that is His, including His children, and Israel, which is His inheritance. Anyone who is not of the Lord’s will suffer unimaginably with the 21 Judgments that are to come.
Be watchful unto prayer, and stay sober minded, beloved. Keep your sword (Bible) with you at all times, reminding all of That Day that is approaching, and quicker than ever before.
I cannot begin to tell you how much of a “Godwink” this is, to see this specific verse this morning in my daily morning devotional. It brought tears to my eyes, especially after the conversation that happened in the middle of the night.
Even us kids who study the Word of God all time, need reminders of certain commandments that Abba has given us. I was reminded of one very important one last night.
I have been struggling with not being able to obtain a good enough paying job, in order that ALL my bills are paid, not just some of them. I’m so tired-actually, exhausted- of living like a pauper for the last 5 years. I know I’m speaking to the choir about this–we’re all in the same boat, just on different levels, and going through different specific situations when it comes to finances.
I thought for sure that everything would turn around for me, once I graduated with my Bachelor’s, but I still could not find a decent (preferably remote at the time) paying job. And even AFTER writing four books and receiving hardly any royalties for them (very few people have purchased my books), I continued to live on either school or tax refunds, which had to pay for anything and everything I needed, and any and all bills that came in–now including rent. Talk about slicing the pie VERY thin–almost to the point of it being transparent!
One mystery that has yet to be solved–it was the LORD’s will for me to write those books–so why would I not make any money off of them? Was that all out of obedience, and nothing more?
BUT–it seemed more like that was the Lord’s will all along on this faith journey of mine, proving Himself faithful again recently, when I finally did get (albeit part-time and just above minimum pay) a job. It also proved to me, that what His will IS, will be, no matter whether His child likes and or approves of it, or not.
Now that I have a M.A., I thought that would open even MORE doors of opportunity to get a much higher-paying job, and something I can be proud of, paying all the bills, saving some money, tithing, etc. But that hasn’t happening either-at least not yet-no decent enough paying job has come my way. So I went to the LORD once again, grumbling and asking why He will not open up that door (Rev. 3:7), and pour out His financial blessing, enough that I can finally breathe and not feel like I’m suffocating anymore.
When I went to sleep last night, I was not in a good mood at all. He knew what was on my mind, and except for the normal prayer time, I said nothing more, and fell asleep.
As usual like every other night, I woke up a couple of hours later. The Holy Spirit wanted to “discuss” something with me–I could tell, because I was wide awake, and He had me look up something in the Hebrew Torah prior to “answering” my question of why I continue to struggle financially all this time.
The answer finally came. He reminded me of one of the promises I made IF I were to get a job–any job–and that was, I would start to pay my TITHES again.
Oh my gosh–tithing?! “You mean another 10% off the top (gross) every week–” Ugh…
YES–tithing. I haven’t done much of that, because of the very little paychecks I have received from this part-time job, ALTHOUGH I have managed to put aside 10% for my church back in 2018 when I worked a seasonal job (making $1 more an hour, but way less hours).
BUT–it IS His will; it always has been. That is how the priests were to survive and provide for their families, because the people would support them by giving a tenth of their income (Malachi 3:10; Num. 18:21,26; Deut. 16:17; 2 Cor. 9:7).
Lord knows my priest does not get any help from the hierarchy of the Church, especially when it comes to the TLM portion of the Masses; he survives on a stipend at least a couple of hundred dollars LESS than my total monthly income. But he has a small but faithful flock, who also purchase his delicious breads, soups (when in season) and pies throughout the year to also help him out financially.
But that is what my Father wanted to remind me of–to tithe, as I promised I would. I got so caught up in finally having a paycheck again (it was almost two years that I went without one) to pay some of my bills (and believe you me, I’m still about $800 in the hole with my car bill–it’s only the grace and mercy of God that they haven’t taken it away!), I seriously forgot to include that in my WEEKLY expenses (yes, even if I do not show up to church a certain week, I STILL am obligated He said, to put that money aside for the priest). “Give and it shall be given unto you”(Luke 6:38)–remember, Jeannette?” “Yes, Father”, I said, now feeling worse than I did before. All I could think of is what 📖Malachi stated in vs. 8–“Would man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me…” Ugh…
Nevertheless, He also reminded me of what it said in the latter part of 📖 verse 10–“And thereby put Me to the test, says the LORD of Hosts (Adonai Tze’vaot), if I will not OPEN the windows of Heaven for you and pour down a blessing until there is no more need.”
No matter what the specific situation in a believer’s life, if the LORD’s will needs to be done, DO IT. He is faithful, even when we are not (2 Timothy 2:13). He is forever merciful and gracious, and understanding of our needs, and will remain faithful to us (Lam. 3:22-23; Deut. 7:9), unto the end of our days. We should be faithful as well, and trusting in Him to see that, according to HIS WILL for our lives, make sure that we accomplish all that HE set us out to do. He in turn, will PROVIDE for all our needs (and a few of our wants as well!).
BUT–the LORD’s WILL comes FIRST–no matter what the circumstances are. As long as we honor Him and abide in Him, He will make sure to bless us in whatever way He seems fit to do it, and will strengthen us along the way to accomplish all His will He purposed for us, until the Day He calls us Home with Him.
Walking in the Dark with Faith 