Proper Perspective

James 4:3

I pray for wisdom, but I ignore it. I ask for strength, but I don’t use it. I seek peace, but from all the wrong places. I strive to do good, but give up before the journey begins. I choose my words wisely, but always when it’s too late. I ask, and nothing’s given. I seek, but can’t find. I knock, but no doors open. Then, I change my perspective. I pray for wisdom, then walk according to it. I ask for strength, then face life with boldness. I seek peace, and pursue it. I strive to do good, and diligently commit to it. I choose my words wisely, and use them to build up and edify. I ask, then I receive what I need. I seek, and find the answers to my concerns. I knock, and walk through doors that lead to the path of righteousness.

A Different Outlook

Ephesians 1:1-14

Once we realize that our lives are not our own, we’ll discover there’s an entirely different outlook on life, God planned for us to see. The average person believes, life is about money, relationships, career, achieving personal goals, family, leisure, retirement, then enjoying the fruits of their labor. While all of those things aren’t inherently bad, there’s more to life than living the “American Dream”. God desires that we work, to earn a living and support our families and others, but He also called us to do works that represent His kingdom agenda. The Bible teaches, before the foundation of the world, God chose, blessed, predestined, and accepted us. This doesn’t mean, God forced salvation on anyone without their consent, instead, all who accept God’s gift of salvation, will then receive the predestined adoption and Holy Spirit, prepared for all who believe. The people of God are beyond blessed to have the grace of God sustaining them, the blood of Jesus that cleansed them, and the wisdom and prudence of God abiding in their hearts and minds.

“Look at life from God’s perspective. Only then, will things begin to make sense.” – Ell

I always remember you in prayer

Romans 1:7-15

As I grow in wisdom and grace, I tend to see things from a different perspective. I use to believe a person was forgiven simply by asking for it, but I’ve come to realize that true forgiveness is revealed through your actions.

When Paul was proudly persecuting innocent Christians, it seemed as though his legacy would be cemented by these acts, and worse. But after one experience with Jesus, Paul’s hatred towards the children of God turned into mercy and love. Paul proved his forgiveness by pouring into God’s people everything they needed to be great in the Kingdom.

Paul was highly educated and privileged to receive teaching from one of the wisest men in the land. So after his conversion, it wasn’t hard for him to grasp the concept of the kingdom of God, because he was already aware of it. He now had to simply live it.

Of all the churches Paul had established, the Romans were quite unique. I won’t delve into the history of the Roman empire, but establishing a church there was a great feat in itself.

Spreading the Gospel of Christ was Paul’s greatest desire. He loved raising up others in the fear and knowledge of God. As he greeted the Roman church, in this text, he made certain to remind them that they were on his mind constantly, especially in prayer. Great leaders not only share God’s goodness with those they love, but they also make sure to keep themselves at the level of the people, and not appear to be above them.

Paul couldn’t wait to see the church in Rome, because he had awesome surprises awaiting them. He had planned to impart spiritual gifts to the church that would establish, and strengthen the body as a whole. This is the true purpose of spiritual gifts; to edify and build the church.

Paul was unique as well, in that he had the fullness of God, which allowed him to impart spiritual gifts by the laying on of hands. I wonder why we don’t see that today, hmm…

Paul serves as a great example of how believers should consider each other. Rather than bury ourselves in all the affairs of our own lives, we should make time to pray for someone else. It means a lot to people to know that someone else cares for them.

Change your spiritual perspective and consider that you have the power to make others better.

Seek peace,

Ell