Once upon a time.... I had a bad day.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Ephesians 4:1-3 (CEV)

Sometimes I get in a bad mood. It happens. I remember one day in particular when I was in a bad mood. It was a few years ago (not that I couldn't think of a more recent one but this one sticks out in my mind). I was an exhausted new mom. Brianna had cried practically all night (so did I) and she only slept in 20 minute increments. I got a phone call that my stepdaughter, Rio, needed a change of clothes at school and they couldn't get a hold of her mom. So I loaded up Brianna and headed to the school to take Rio some clean clothes. On the way, Brianna threw up EVERYWHERE.

I knew there was no way I could get her out of the car to go into the school and of course, I couldn't leave her in the car. So, I called the school office and asked if they could send someone out to the car to get the clothes. They didn't want to do that....maybe they were very busy.... maybe it was against the rules... I don't know...I didn't CARE! After transferring me to 3 different people (I was quite rude I might add- so of course they didn't want to be very helpful) finally someone came out to get the clothes. And then the already exhausted me, went back home to give Brianna a bath and scrub the car and the car seat. I'm sure people referred to me after that as the rude, crazy woman in the parking lot. Haha! The truth is- I was just having a really bad day.

The thing is that when WE are having a bad day, we expect everyone to understand and make allowances for us. But, when SOMEONE ELSE is rude, or short tempered, or impatient with us do we look past it and understand that it may just be a result of their circumstances? Or do we just judge them for their current actions?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's ok to be rude or impatient. But, I am saying that as Christians, it is our responsibility to look deeper.

After all, if you knew that the person who cut you off in traffic was rushing to the bedside of a dying loved one- would you be so quick to anger?

If you knew that the rude clerk at the store had been up all night with a sick baby, would you be a little more tolerable?

If you knew that the person impatiently waiting in line behind you works 65 hours a week just to keep food on the table and they are pushed for time to get to their 2nd job- would you let them go in front of you?

BUT do we really NEED to know all the details to treat people with grace?

"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." Making allowances for each other's faults.... Are we?

Heavenly Father, help me to see others through Your eyes. Help me to love them with Your love.

Roots

"Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." Ephesians 3:17 (NIV)

The dictionary defines roots as:

"Noun: a part of the body of a plant that develops, typically, from the radicle and grows downward into the soil, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutrients and moisture.

Verb: to become fixed or established"

Have you ever tried to pull up a plant or a weed and you just couldn't do it? Its roots were so deep that you just couldn't uproot it? I have. One time I tried to pull up a tiny little plant. I wrapped my hand around the whole thing and pulled with all my might and it didn't even budge. Other times, I've pulled up plants almost on accident with very little effort. The difference? Roots.

Plants or trees with DEEP, STRONG roots can not be uprooted as easily as ones with weak, shallow roots.

The mighty oak tree has some of the longest, strongest roots of all trees. If you've ever tried to uproot an oak you know, it's not so easy. Its roots obtain water, oxygen and minerals from the soil. In other words... the roots absorb the LIFE SOURCE.

The thing is we can "root" ourselves in a variety of things- good or bad.

So the question becomes- What are you rooted in? What is your life source?

In this passage, Paul is praying for the Ephesian people that their "roots will grow down into God's love". What does that mean? He wants them to KNOW God..... to seek God as their SOURCE of LIFE.... to NOURISH themselves with the everlasting LIVING WATER. He wants them to CONNECT themselves to God's Word, to God's Spirit. He wants them to DIG DEEP into their understanding of Him and His love.

We too, will GROW in our relationship with Him if we DIG DEEP into His Word, by reading and studying our Bibles. We too, will find spiritual NOURISHMENT through communicating with Him in prayer. As we pursue Him, our roots will grow deeper and stronger. Our faith will become unshakeable. No matter what storms our lives may bring we will not be uprooted. I want that. Don't you?

Lord, help me today to become a Mighty Oak of Faith.

Do you kneel when you pray?

"I kneel in prayer to the Father." Ephesians 3:14

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray without ceasing". I can't imagine that Paul crawled around on his knees praying all day. No.... I imagine that he, as I do, prayed in many different positions- standing, sitting, walking, running, driving (ok maybe I've got one up on Paul there lol).

But, the point is, he prayed continually throughout the day in different situations. His eyes weren't always closed, his head wasn't always bowed, the candle wasn't always lit, and the environment wasn't always peaceful. I'm sure there were times when he prayed out loud and times when he prayed silently in his heart. He was in constant communication with God.

BUT, there were times when Paul kneeled in prayer. In this verse in Ephesians 3:14, for instance, he kneeled in prayer. He prayed an earnest prayer for the believers in Ephesus that they may have strength in their relationship with God. He desperately wanted them to truly KNOW the Lord. It was of the utmost IMPORTANCE to Paul.

Are you praying for something really, REALLY IMPORTANT to you? Get on your knees. KNEEL before the King. BOW DOWN in His presence. After all, if your request is that important, it deserves more than just a passing mention, a half-asleep muttering....

Try it tonight. FEEL the difference. FEEL the connection. FEEL the POWER of your ALMIGHTY GOD as you humble yourself before Him.

Responding to Circumstances

"In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ. So I ask you not to become discouraged because of the sufferings I am having for you. My sufferings are for your glory." Ephesians 3:12-13 (NCV)

Paul had a much different outlook on suffering than most of us do. He looked at suffering as an opportunity to be a good example... an opportunity to glorify God. And he was GLAD to have these opportunities! Paul was not a "victim" of his circumstances.

Chip Brogden said it well- "It is not a question of God allowing or not allowing things to happen. It is part of living. Some things we do to ourselves, other things we do to each other. Our Father knows about every bird which falls to the ground, but He does not always prevent it from falling. What are we to learn from this? That our response to what happens is more important than what happens. Here is a mystery: one man’s experience drives him to curse God, while another man’s identical experience drives him to bless God. Your response to what happens is more important than what happens."

As I look back on some of the biggest trials in my life, I see many missed opportunities to exemplify my trust in God. But even WORSE, I look at some of the smaller, daily irritations in my life and see mounds of missed opportunities.

Today I want to focus on the positive. When the irritations come, (and they WILL- especially since I'm writing this haha!) I want to look at the situation from His perspective and respond in a way that would bring glory and honor to Him- rather than my usual way of responding with emotion, frustration and defeat.

We can have victory over EVERY situation, EVERY circumstance, EVERY emotion in Christ Jesus!

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

God Treated Me With Kindness

"God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the Good News. I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that can not be measured. God who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in His mind." Ephesians 3:7-9 (CEV)

Let's back up a little bit here and remember that Paul (previously known as Saul) used to be a "bad guy". He persecuted people who followed Jesus Christ. He hated Christians. His goal in life was to find them, capture them and publicly punish them.

This guy was BAD! Just look at Acts 7:57- 8:3

...At once they all attacked Stephen and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named SAUL..... (Acts 7: 57-58)

"SAUL approved the stoning of Stephen." (Acts 8:1)

"SAUL started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail." (Acts 8:3)

But, when he had his own personal experience with Christ on the road to Damascus, (Acts 9) everything changed. He believed and began adamantly and passionately teaching that Christ was the Son of God. He went on to become what is known as one of the most influential Christian missionaries in history and wrote much of the New Testament (including Ephesians).

In our eyes, Saul (Paul) would be a really BAD choice for someone to spread the gospel. But, to God, he was the PERFECT choice. A bad guy turned good? That's eye opening... head turning... news worthy.... attention grabbing.... good stuff.

What does this mean to ME? Everything!!!! I was a "bad teenager". I'm sure that people who knew me in High School and a few years after that are thinking... Teresa? A Youth Leader? WHAT??? lol But, God said, she's been bad... I can use that. "God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the Good News."

Thank you Lord, for MY conversion! May I live the rest of my life for Your glory.

Ephesians 3:1-3

"Christ Jesus made me a prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me His mysterious ways." Ephesians 3:1-3 (CEV)

Paul is writing this from prison in Rome (a result of his arrest in Caesara in Acts 21:27-) While in prison he witnessed to everyone he came in contact with- guards, visitors, Jewish leaders.... Because of this, the gospel spread into Rome. While in prison, Paul also wrote letters explaining his faith and encouraging other believers. These letters include Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians.

Paul did all of this while in PRISON! He understood that God had an ultimate purpose in his suffering and circumstances. No matter where he was at, Paul focused on his ultimate purpose of being a witness for Jesus Christ. We need to get this. So many of us aren't where we want to be right now. But, we may be EXACTLY where God wants us to be.

You may feel like you are in a dead end job but God may have placed you there to witness to a co-worker. You may feel irritated by the long line at Wal Mart but God may have placed you there to show kindness to the clerk or to the person behind you. You may be a part of that club or group because you enjoy it but God has an even GREATER reason for you to be there.

Paul took many missionary journeys but Paul also realized something that you and I need to get as well- you don't have to GO on a mission trip you ARE on a mission trip.

Lord help me to focus on your mission in every situation and circumstance of my day.