Are You Ready To Have Your Wood Set On Fire?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you want to get excited right now? If so, just read these words from the book of Ephesians:

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people–free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10 MSG)

Now, if you didn’t read that passage out loud, then go back and read it again so you can hear yourself saying the words. And if you really want your fire lit, read it until you actually internalize it, feel it, and believe it!

We’re FREE! “And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!”

God has thought of everything and has provided for everything we could possibly need!

And He “took such delight” in making those plans. The Lord delights in you and me! He sent His Holy Spirit to LIVE in you and me. If we’ll invite Him and allow Him, He’ll actually participate in the activities of our lives–even our very praise and worship.

I felt Him do just that this morning. I felt His presence, His love, and His power so strongly that He led my praise and worship of Him.

Verse 11 of Ephesians 1 says, “It’s in Christ that we find who we are and what we are living for.”

That means Christ becomes our very identity!

Verse 12 says, “Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”

Wow! we think we love Christ, but He had His eye on us before we ever thought of Him!

And, do I WORK to gain his approval–to “improve” myself? No, to the contrary, His design on me is “part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”

My prayer for you and for myself is the prayer of Paul. He prayed,

“I ask–ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory–to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him–endless energy, boundless strength!” (Ephesians 1:17-19 MSG)

You and I–all of us–are engaged in a wonderful kingdom task! Whatever our calling in life: plumber, electrician, doctor, lawyer, teacher, or homemaker, we are also called as ministers of the Gospel. We are singers, speakers, greeters, coffeemakers, babysitters, or we fill one of many other tasks in our churches –it makes no difference what the position.

Filled with the “abundant life” that we’ve been given, we are to share that life with new seekers who will enter the doors of our churches. What a precious trust He has placed in us!

For us to be able to share with those who have not experienced the overwhelming love of our Heavenly Father, you and I must first walk in it ourselves–in the love of God AND the love of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jesus gave us our priorities. In Matthew we see these words:

“Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (Matthew 22:37-40 MSG)

Love God. Love yourself. Love others in the same way. To paraphrase some lyrics from one of Chris Rice’s songs, “Come on, folks. Let’s go for a ride! But jump in and hold on tight. I’ve a feeling we’re in for the time of our lives!”

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.