How Do You Walk?

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." ~ Ephesians 4:17-19 

I hope you will bear with me in a little foolishness, but when I read this, an illustration of futility came to mind .  In the past, I was a huge Star Trek fan and followed the show for some years.  At one point they were battling a seemingly overwhelming foe.  I remember the cold monotone voice when anyone tried to defy them, "Resistance is fu-tile."  The intent was chilling and no matter how valiantly they fought, the end result was assimilation into the collective conscience of the enemy.  Of course, as is the way of such things, they eventually found the Achilles Heel, and the enemy was defeated. 

Do you ever feel like this, that resisting temptation is useless?  No matter how hard you try, nothing you do will change the outcome?  Failure seems inevitable.

 But if we have committed our lives to Christ, by repenting of our past life (Acts 2:38), being baptized in an appeal to God for a clean conscience (I Peter 3:21), and desiring to live new in Him, then God has granted to us an avenue of escape from the empty lives we once lived.  Our walk as Christians is not in the futility of sin.  We are not destined to be part of the collective, futile mind of this world.  

But rather, in contrast, let us consider the change in us:  

• Our thinking has changed (Romans 12:1-2, II Cor. 10:4-6),

• We are no longer aliens, but family, washed in the blood of our Saviour and brother, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:10, 2 Cor. 5:18, Col.1:21), 

• Our hearts and lives are new in Christ (Romans 6:4, 1 Cor. 5:7, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal.6:15),

• We have a clean conscience (1 Tim 1:5, 1 Tim.3:9, Hebrews 9:14), 

• We are intended for good works (Eph.2:10, I Tim. 2:10, I Tim. 6:18, Titus 2:7. Heb.10:24, 1 Pet. 2:12)

I know this was rather long.  I do hope and pray that you will take time to copy these scriptures, to read and meditate on them and be renewed in your commitment today to walk as one who has overcome the things of this world and is headed for a home in heaven.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Recently I hosted a tasting party at my home.  We were chatting about this and that and someone asked me, "Where is your home?"  It is a common question, but one that made me stop and think.  I quickly smiled and said, "Why, here!"  But later I thought how that answer missed the whole point I wished I had made.

First of all was the inquirer's intent.  The questioner meant,  'Where are you from?' in recognition that I wasn't 'from here.'  Since everyone within 10 miles knows we are new to our present home and work it was an honest question.  We ask our new neighbors or acquaintances where they are from in an attempt to gain information about where they were born, raised, and where their family is established.

Many thoughts ran through my head as I quickly answered.  First, my family and my husband's family are scattered from coast to coast.  My parents are not homeowners, and so they don't have a permanent address.  I also consider the idea of my husband and children as my family and 'home.'

Later on I also pondered on the belief that my spiritual family is my true family.  We share an eternal bond through Christ Jesus. The conclusion I come to now is that this earthly existence is temporary.    My real home is not the USA, although I love Kentucky and the beauty of this earth.  My hope, my aim, my joy lies in heaven, where Jesus has prepared an ever-lasting home for me.

"Home is where the heart is," is often quoted.  Where is your heart today?  Is it longing for the acceptance and love of family?  Do we recognize that this longing was place within us by a tender and kind God Who wants us to search for Him?  Only in Him will we find the peace and contentment of true family and home we are looking for.

I see many searching.   They try to fix the longing and fill the emptiness by using people, things or  philosophies instead of turning to the One who created them.  He knows just what we need to be complete and truly 'at home.'

Praying that your search ends at the feet of Jesus!