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Scripture

Equipping the Saints

by Jessica on May 24, 2010

“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

Ephesians 4:7

I’ve been reading through Ephesians lately and really enjoying its richness. I just wanted to share briefly what I was reading this morning on why we are to use our spiritual gifts. It was encouraging for me and hope it is for you as well.

Christ gave each of us gifts so that as we lived and worked out our different giftings we would “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (v. 12).

And we are to continue to use our gifts to equip and build up the body until…

we all attain

to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the son of God
to mature manhood
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (v. 13)

I don’t know about you, but for me sometimes when I think about spiritual gifts I think about using them in a particular setting and time…not continually. I know I should, but I often don’t. Verse 13 really helps me to see that I am to continue to use my spiritual gifts until the church as a whole has attained these things, which basically means I shouldn’t stop until I’m dead or Christ returns.

It’s an encouragement and a rebuke, for me.

We are to use our gifts to build up and encourage the body, to strengthen our faith and the faith of those around us, and we are to do it in love.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16

These are some things I’m thinking about today. Why don’t you join me…

How are you using your gifts to build up the body? Do you struggle with using your gifts? What are you planning to do to change, if need be?

Tagged as: building up the body, Ephesians, Living Intentionally, Scripture, spiritual gifts

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Vindicate me, O Lord

by Jessica on April 26, 2010

in Scripture

¹ Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
² Prove me, O LORD, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.
³For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.

⁴I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
⁵I hate the assembly of evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked.

⁶I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, O LORD,
⁷proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.

⁸O LORD, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.
⁹ Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
¹⁰in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.

¹¹But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
¹²My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.

Psalm 26

(Photo Credit: eez_eddie)

Tagged as: Psalm 26, Scripture

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His Word in My Heart

by Jessica on January 21, 2010

in Living Intentionally,Scripture

I’m joining in with Nicole at Gidget Goes Home to be more intentional to hide God’s Word in my heart this year. As a kid and even teenager, I had such an arsenal of scripture memorized. Slowly over the years those verses that I could recall so quickly I’m straining to remember.

My goal is to memorize the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7) this year. I know it sounds like a lot, but really it’s only 2 verses a week. This is also in conjunction with Tricia at The Soul at Rest, who happens to be my SoCal pastor’s wife and an amazing author. Her goal for the year is to live intentionally. Me too.

Lately, I’ve found Scripture memory so helpful. Not only is it an encouragement and comfort to remember God’s promises throughout the day in moments of need, but you see I signed up to run a half-marathon in April. Yes, I know. 13.1 miles.

Sometimes I don’t know what I was thinking either.

It’s been a challenge. I’m learning to persevere when my legs feel so heavy and I just want to stop. Who’s really looking anyway? But it’s been really sweet in that I found myself leaning on God more during those times and quoting Scripture as a distraction.

Joe and I started memorizing Titus in September and we’re almost done. Yesterday while I was running I kept saying Titus over and over again, then the Lord’s Prayer, and Psalm 23. I think the Sermon on the Mount will be a good addition, as well as a good push to focus on living like Jesus.

This month I’ll be trying to memorize Matthew 5:1-6,

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

²He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.