Ephesians 1:7-14

'You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding. God revealed his hidden design to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. This is what God planned for the climax of all times: to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth. We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory. '  Ephesians 1:7-14 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/EPH.1.7-14 Common English Bible

We all have a plan laid out for us. We are all connected in his greatness. When we want things to be going our way on our timeline I think it is important to take a step back and remember nothing is solely on our timeline. We don't have the gift of knowing how everything is connected, we have to trust in that which is all-knowing.

We were given the beautiful gift of the spirit which at all times is our lifeline back to God. It is our gift of peace, love, and joy.

Ephesians 1:1-6 

'From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will. To the holy and faithful people in Christ Jesus in Ephesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven. God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves. '  Ephesians 1:1-6 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/EPH.1.1-6

This is such a beautiful reminder that we were given all of God's grace before we were even created. Because of that we never have to do anything to deserve God's love.

We have been blessed with all of the love that is in heaven and we get to shine all of that through us.

 Philippians 4:10-14

'I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. (Of course you were always concerned but had no way to show it.) I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance. I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. Still, you have done well to share my distress. '  Philippians 4:10-14 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/PHP.4.10-14

Learning how to be content in any situation is my goal in life. To be able to fully live in the belief that all things will work out and are working for me.

To walk in faith and not in fear.  It is such a good reminder that circumstances are neutral and we always have the gifts of the Spirit to turn to instead.

We were meant for love and peace not fear.  

1 Samuel 12:20-25 

'But Samuel answered the people, “Don’t be afraid. Yes, you’ve done all this evil; just don’t turn back from following the LORD . Serve the LORD with all your heart. Don’t turn aside to follow useless idols that can’t help you or save you. They’re absolutely useless! For the sake of his reputation, the LORD won’t abandon his people, because the LORD has decided to make you his very own people. But me? I would never sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. I will teach you what is good and right. Just fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Look at what great things he has done for you! But if you continue to do evil, then both you and your king will be destroyed.”'  1 Samuel 12:20-25 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/1SA.12.20-25

We can always turn back to the Lord. No matter what we do, we are always welcomed back home. We are always able to turn back to our Spirit and lived a centered life.

If you sin do not be afraid to confess it and turn back to your source. We are created by the Lord and for the Lord to love. We are love and always loved.

Matthew 6:25-34 

 “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith? Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'  Common English Bible Matthew 6:25-34 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/MAT.6.25-34

When you start to worry, breathe deep, know it will all be okay.

We were all meant for beautiful things. We were not built for worry and anxiety, these are not ours to bear. In every moment we are being gifted more than we need. Sometimes we just need to remember that and be welcome and open to the opportunities surrounding us.

Galatians 5:16-26

16 I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. 17A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do. 18But if you are being led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the Law. 19The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, 21jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires.

25If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.  https://my.bible.com/bible/37/GAL.5.26

We have been given the gift  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Often we feel like we have to strive to do enough to achieve these things.  We don't have to work for love. We are love.

There is no path to peace, the path is peace.

We have all of these available to us even though we have a tendency to forget it.

Have a beautiful day!

Galatians 5:7-15

'You were running well—who stopped you from obeying the truth? This line of reasoning doesn’t come from the one who calls you. I’m convinced about you in the Lord that you won’t think any other way. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever that may be. Brothers and sisters, if I’m still preaching circumcision, why am I still being harassed? In that case, the offense of the cross would be canceled. I wish that the ones who are upsetting you would castrate themselves! You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: “ Love your neighbor as yourself ”. But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you don’t get eaten up by each other!'  Galatians 5:7-8,10-15 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/GAL.5.7-8,10-15

How I read this is as a calling back to our true nature. To be reminded that we are already free, we don't have to prove ourselves first and then be free.  That freedom has already been gifted to us. As is, right now.

That freedom is not freedom to do as we please though.  That is what we have been doing and trying to justify.  That doesn't really get us to where we want to be or helps us become the person we dream of being one day.

Instead, we are free to serve. Free to love. Free to give our all to one another.

We are meant to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and if we are going to give our all to our neighbors we have to give our all to ourselves first. We have to first see and believe the freedom that we have already been granted. We have to accept the unconditional love that is shining down on us and through us always.

When we start to attack our neighbors we have to watch out in fear of being attacked back.

Looking over our shoulders or living in constant fear holds us back from giving our fullest self or at our highest ability.

'Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again. Look, I, Paul, am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, having Christ won’t help you. Again I swear to every man who has himself circumcised that he is required to do the whole Law. You people who are trying to be made righteous by the Law have been estranged from Christ. You have fallen away from grace! We eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit by faith. Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t matter in Christ Jesus, but faith working through love does matter. '  Galatians 5:1-6 https://my.bible.com/bible/37/GAL.5.1-6

You do not need to prove your love to God through acts of service.  What he wants now is for you to know that are already 100% accepted as you are. All of you, every single spot because you are never broken.  You are wholly and holy wonderful!

Instead of service, our focus should be faith working through love. Faith is an act, it must be worked through in order for it to play out fully.

No longer be a slave to the thought you must prove your worth. Accept that you are free to give yourself fully to love.

Philippians 4:8

From now on if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things; all that is true, all  that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.

Put your focus on the beautiful things in life. Where focus goes energy flows.  If you are focused on the negative that is what your brain will focus on first.  If you are looking for the positive then your brain will more easily notice those things.

Life is all about mindset and perspective.  We are the ones who get to decide if we will have an excellent life or one of suffering.

What if everything in life was working for you and not against you?

When we upgrade the questions we ask ourselves, we get upgraded answers.

I challenge you to focus on all the excellent things that happen to you today!

Leave me a comment about something beautiful and wonderful that has happened for you, I would love to hear all about it!