Journey Through Ephesians - Ultimate Love

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           Ephesians 4: 1-16  


The memory verse for the study this week is:
 Ephesians 4: 2 "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love"  The chapter grabbed my attention right away as Paul began in verse one with:
"I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" 
In order to be worthy of the calling to which I've been called. . . 

 . . . I  Must  Love 

The Amplified Bible puts it as such: "Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing one another and making allowances because you love one another." 

Paul goes on to talk about the fact that the reason for all this love is to keep the unity or fellowship
of the body of Christ. He tells us that we, as followers of Christ Jesus, are all part of the same body
 - with one Spirit.

"one Lord, one faith, one baptism: one God, and Father of all,

 who is above all and through all, and in you all"

"But to each one of us grace was given 

according to the measure of Christ's gift." 

What an amazing God we have! Even though we are all one body - one Spirit - He doesn't fail 

to see us as unique individuals and give us His unmerited grace "in proportion to the measure 

of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift." 

Rich and bounteous hardly begins to scratch the surface of the measure of Christ's gift 

 He gave it all - His whole life - all that He had to give. To know that He gives us grace in proportion

 to "all of Himself" is difficult - if not impossible to  comprehend. 

Romans 5:8 

"But God commended His love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

It's because of this grace and the depths of His love that I am able, capable of rising up to be the woman He has called me to be - not from any qualities of my own - but in spite of them - because of Him. 

"I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling 

with which you were called" Eph. 4:1

We are called to Love! 

Our Bible verse in our Homeschool this week is: 

 Ephesians 4: 2 "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, 

bearing with one another in love" 

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Journey Through Ephesians - Cornerstone

From Bible Gateway dot Com

Ephesians 2:18-22

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Christ Our Cornerstone

¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Without a strong cornerstone- the building will not last- it will crumble

"Members of the household of God" - Members of the same household would be a family. This passage describes the household/ family as having Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. 


What is a cornerstone exactly? 


As defined by Wikipedia: 
The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.


The whole building is set from and upon that stone - the rest of the building is the rest of the "family" or the body of Christ - the church - all together for the Spirit of God to dwell. Not in the building itself - but in the people - the family of Christ. 


We are one family - the body of Christ - where the Spirit of God dwells! That's pretty exciting stuff! 


Makes me want to act like it! 


We MUST exemplify love - which is the example set by our cornerstone: 

1 John 3:16 & 18

1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:18 - "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

We need to overlook our differences and love with the love of Christ - both within the outside the body/family/dwelling of God!!! 


Spiritual "busyness" doesn't cut it y'all - we've got to get real - pull together with love and reach out to this dying world. People - both in the body and out of it - need the love of Christ. If we aren't living it - where will they find it? 


They don't meet Jesus Christ walking down the street - they meet you and me!

Something God has laid on my heart is that I want to be Jesus to others - both in my family of believers and non believers. He died for each one. He is the cornerstone - He set the example.

More words from Paul to the church:

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 & 11:1So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

I count to #1000 Gifts : 

160. Warm blankets on a cold night

161. Cold comforts- cuddling little boys - sweet talk

162. Belly laughs from little boys 

163. Kids at church really "getting it" 

164. Loving, learning body of Christ

165. Prayers from strangers 

166. Strangers who are family because of our Cornerstone 

167. Learning to love fully 

168. Words of Paul 

169. Community 

 
  
A Pause On The Path

Adoption Stories From Around The Web

The Geagels are another family whom God has blessed through adoption - Here is their story: 

For as long as I can remember I have had a desire to adopt. I thought it was something that was just for families who could not have children and I kept hoping something would just fall into my lap so that I could adopt too. Then I met my husband who happened to have two adopted siblings (he was a biological child) and I realized that adoption was a possibility for my future. From the day we got married we always knew adoption was something that we would do, we just thought that it was something that would come much later on in life, after our birth children were older. Then we had two sons who I was staying home with and we decided to go ahead and look into it. Since I was already home it seemed to make sense to just keep going. As we began to research adoption the enormous need became oh so clear to us and we HAD to do something. We were young, too young for some adoption programs and we had two kids who were 1 and 2. We really thought the agency was just going to laugh at us when we called . . . . . . .

Please go HERE to the main site to read the rest of the story of how 

God blessed the Geagels through adoption and learn more about the 

Upcoming exciting new movie: RESCUED

Adoption is an issue close to my heart. 
We'd been praying for a child who was in trouble - as a matter of fact - 
I even went to court advocating for him. 
I had no idea at the time that I was advocating for my son 
We had no idea what God had in store for us.

When we got a phone call four years ago about this baby in trouble, it took all of about 
two minutes before my husband said, "You'd better go get him". 
I was on a plane the next morning. 


My son was 8 months old when I first held him in my arms. 
God completed our family through the miracle of adoption. 


The movie RESCUED 
hit me right in the heart! 
I think you're going to love it and we could use the help spreading the message! 
(please)
Pre- order your copy today for your church groups and more: 

Exploring God's Creation

In our life/ homeschool this week:

Exploring God's Creation is one of our favorite
things to do as a family. This weekend the weather
was just right for a walk in the woods together.

There is something special about getting out into
nature with the family as a team - and taking a closer
look at the natural world around us.

That closer look is an important part of a
successful hike with the family.

The  "dreary trail" picture:   

For example - upon first glance - the trail here (the picture on the right labeled "dreary trial" )  is a bit
bland without much to offer in the way of scenery.

Bushes, tall brown grass, and a few weeds are all that
appear - until one takes a closer look.

                  "Look Smaller"


                "And Smaller Still"

"Open the eyes of your heart" 

When you do - you might even see this. . . .

I am inspired by: 

A little sweat bee on a "Brown Eyed Susan" 

(from the bottom right hand side of the "dreary trail" picture) 

As we stopped - took the time to look closely we found . . . . . 

Bright red berries from the "Brazilian Pepper Tree" bushes against a vivid blue sky

(this beauty also hiding in the original picture - upper center) 

Quietly - always on the lookout for wildlife - we walked on 

and found the Florida weed version of Queen Anne's Lace . . . . . .

. . . . . and these pretty little purple buds 

I am grateful for: 

It was a beautiful afternoon walk through the Florida scrub 

along the North side of Charlotte Harbor State Park

Enjoying the family time . . . . . 

As we stopped to take in the details 

and notice  little pops of color . . . . . 

along with various shapes scattered here and there across the landscape . . . . . 

To enjoy the way the sun glows round a plain brown weed 

to guess the age and count the rings of a cut limb . . . . .

we play and hide - in the tall tall grass . . . . . 

A family hike through the woods is all it takes 

to remind me . . . . . .

How awesome our Creator really is! 

Deuteronomy 3: 24 

"Oh Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand;

for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, 

and according to thy might?"

The miracles of His Creation are all around us! 

Why then do we fear?

Romans 8: 31 

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"  

Take heart my friends - we are in good hands.

Psalm 55: 22

 "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; 

He will never let the righteous be shaken." 

We are righteous because of the blood of Christ, cleansed, pure and holy in His sight

White as snow - because of His GRACE!

Ephesians 2: 8

"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,

 it is the gift of God" 

His assurance to carry our burdens  is repeated 

again in the New Testament - so I think He's pretty serious about it! 

I Peter 5: 7

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 

Matthew 6: 33

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; 

and all these things shall be added unto you" 

The more I seek after the things of God - the more I realize - it is His 

It's all His - my life is not my own and I am free NOT to worry 

NOT to stress - but to rest in His love 

safely covered by His wings of protection - wrapped in His arms! 

Colossians 3:15

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

 to which you are called to one body; and be thankful " 

#1000 Gifts: 

150. One body and making connections 

151. Misty morning view of the first rays twinkling on the water 

152. Sun sparkling off of blond bobbing heads 

153. Casting cares, laying them down 

154. Peace that passes all understanding 

155. The tiny details in nature where I see the Master's hand 

156. Reminders of gratitude 

157. Opportunity to encourage

158. Sharing love 

159. Bright red berries against the bright blue sky 

Ephesians 1: 18 

"Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which 

He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." 

It is this inheritance spoken of in this verse that enlightened the eyes of my heart 

this past week, and led to this post. He is so faithful! 

Homeschool Freebies: 

* I found this wonderful site - it's great free FL botany information 

   their pictures are far lovelier than mine: 

   Florida Wildflower Gallery 

* Also- ideas for winter picnic's for those of you who live in a colder climate:

   Winter Picnics

* Be sure to check out Moms Mustard Seeds to get your "reading assignment" for

   Freedom Friday and link to the online document "The Mayflower Compact" 

My 3 in 30 Goals:
1. Walk with the Lord- Well, I'm behind on my Ephesians study- but I'm still hanging in there and I'm getting a lot out of it - I am even taking notes, I've just not had time to type it out & put it on the blog - I have added some of the verses to posts where they fit though. I'm pleased with the input & growth I'm seeing in the boys - sharing with them not just Bible stories & verses, but talking about WHAT they mean to me & listening to WHAT they are "getting" out of our Bible time is really blessing me. God is good!!!
2. Health- well, I've not been as active as I'd planned to be, but I am drinking my water, cooking (no to-go food at all) and getting SOME exercise. There have been a couple of mild fronts that came through and they really give me a hard time with my joints- they are currently a tad swollen and feverish. #prayingforhealing
3. Blog- I'm so tickled about the upcoming conferences in March. God is opening doors and providing the way (through some loving and helpful bloggy friends) doing both ApologiaLive, and TeachThemDiligently - although they are homeschool convo's and not blog convo's - I believe they are a good fit for my blog and I am happy dancing about the prize/prizes I'll have to offer my awesome readers!!! Stay tuned for a couple of BIG surprises!

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