MY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD

Welcome to the OABG Daily Blog and Daily Podcast!

I’ve changed.

I don’t do the things I used to do.

I don’t say the things I used to say.

I don’t watch the stuff I used to watch.

I don’t go the places I used to go.

I don’t drink the drinks I used to drink.

I don’t use the words I used to use.

I don’t gossip about people the way I used to gossip.

I don’t get mad the way I used to get mad.

I don’t think the way I used to think.

21 You heard about Christ and were taught about life in him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus. 22 You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray. 23 You were taught to be made new in your thinking. 24 You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is. Ephesians 4:21-24 NIRV

But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:20-24 The Message

I’ve changed.

As I was reading Ephesians 4 for the Scriptural Bible Study this morning, I am so thankful to God that I am not who I used to be. I am so thankful that I seek to please Him with my life every single day. Do I always get it right? Nope, but my thinking is different. It’s not a perfectionist way of thinking. I don’t get angry at myself or anyone else for that matter, but verses 26-31 basically say: Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Don’t give the devil an opportunity through lying, thieving, or using foul language. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with malice (a desire to do evil).

In this chapter of Ephesians, Paul is continuing his letter to the church and is telling them how to be unified and how each of them should work and serve in the church. It got me to thinking about me and you. Yup. I said US. I have always felt led to serve in the church. It was something I saw my mom and my family doing and I know it was something she saw her parents do. I am thankful for that upbringing but I am even more thankful that I have a heart for service. Like I literally WANT to serve people. I enjoy making people laugh and smile. I learned through my Bible Study today though that God saved us ALL and equipped us ALL to work and serve in ministry! Yes! That means you too! We are all responsible for building up the body of Christ!

Dr. Tony Evans said our relationship to the corporate body (the church) is crucial to our own spiritual development and the development of the church. Could it be that things in your life aren’t quite there yet because you are just attending church? You may be saying to yourself, why aren’t things connecting in my life. Why do I feel like I am stuck in this certain place in my life and can’t move? It may mean that you’re missing a piece of the puzzle. God didn’t just save us to attend church. He saved us AND equipped us to serve and if you and I don’t do that, we are not doing what God called us to do.

The very first verse of Ephesians 4 says: Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, URGE you to live worthy of the calling you have received. This means as believers in Christ, our lives should reflect our new status. God has called us ALL into ministry!

Do you know what God has called you to do specifically? Most likely it’s the thing you keep running from. Stop running from your calling! Someone needs you and God called you to serve their need.

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YOUR ASSIGNMENTS

1. What did the Lord God say to you in your conversation with Him this morning?

2. What have you been running from that you know God has called you to do in ministry? Who are you supposed to be serving in this season? Leave me a message on podcast and share your thoughts about this episode.

3. Share this post and this message with someone who needs to hear it.

   REMINDER: Don’t forget to read the Scriptural Bible Study below and see what the Lord says to you about it.

SALVATION PRAYER

If you’re not a believer and have a desire to be, openly confess and declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer out loud, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community and start having a conversation through prayer with God every day. And let me be the first to welcome you to your new life with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. YAAAAY!!!!! You made the best decision you could ever make! Feel free to email me at info@onassignmentbyGod.com and let me know about your newfound life or if you need prayer for anything.

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