How to take the 4-Week Challenge....

Each week starting July 2nd READ a chapter of Ephesians a day for the next 4 weeks.
~ Monday Chapter 1
~ Tuesday Chapter 2
~ Wednesday Chapter 3
~ Thursday Chapter 4
~ Friday Chapter 5
~ Saturday Chapter 6
~ Sunday Day off

After reading the chapter, REFLECT on the following:
1. What does this chapter teach me about God?
2. What does this chapter teach me about myself? What is God trying to teach me?
3. What is this chapter calling me to do? How can I apply it to my life today?


Now RESPOND:
1. Talk to God about it.
2.Talk to someone else about it. (that's why I started this blog!)

About Me~

Week 1/Day 5~ Ephesians, Chapter 5

I feel like verse 14 is screaming at me:
“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!”
Lately, I have just had the urge that I am called to do something but not sure what. I have so many ideas but really no way to execute them. Some to BIG for me to handle. Like it says, I want to make the most of every chance I get but I also want to understand clearly what He wants me to do. A lot of the times the lines seem blurred to me. I get caught up in some BIG idea but then it slowly starts to get put on the back burner for some reason or another. Sometimes I don't realize that I am actually doing something God has called me to do. As I am writing in my blog, I realize He called me to start writing down my daily quiet times. Even though this seems insignificant, it BIG to Him.

As I keep reading Ephesians it says, "wives understand and support your husbands...."
I have seen my husband do just what verse 14 calls us to do. He always makes the most of every opportunity he gets. He pushes forward through sleepless nights. God has shown me two things while reading this chapter.

1 ~ That I am called to do bigger and better things in my life and he will guide me and show me how to accomplish them. I just have to go to Him for the answers.

2 ~ He has shown me an example in my husband. He has also reminded me that I need to be a better supporter of my husband’s big ideas. He needs me to show him support, honor, and cherish him.

Week 1/Day 3 ~ Ephesians, Chapter 3

The first verse of this chapter made me think. Would I be a Paul? Would I risk being jailed & lose everything to "take up the cause"? Yes, I believe in Christ. I try to live my life for Christ and follow Him BUT would I be a Paul, a Job, Isaac, or even a Abraham and give up my husband, son, or lifestyle for the LORD?

Honestly, at first I would be selfish, scared, and timid. I think we go through life willing to do God's will for our life but when He calls us to do something out of our "safe haven", we stop and re-think. We ask ourselves, "Is this what He really wants me to do?" But I have seen and experienced His will many times, so my answer is YES! Someone might need to give me a little push but I am on board for the cause! I want to be a Paul, Job, Isaac, or Abraham!

Week/Day 2 ~ Ephesians, Chapter 2~

We are Gods workmanship.... (Verse 10)
When I think of my workmanship in my jewelry, I want every piece to be perfect. This is something I take pride in. I want every piece of jewelry to turn out like I envisioned. The stones to be shaped right, colors to match, and length sized perfectly, etc. Once it is finished, I set it on display to add the final touches. If it isn't perfect, I usually toss it away and start again until I get it exactly how I want it to look.
But as I read verse 10 of Ephesians I realize how blessed I am. I am Christ's workmanship, yet I am not perfect. He does not toss me away and start over. Even with my imperfections, He embraces me. He even puts me on his display next to Jesus. I truly do not know how blessed I am. Now, every time I look at my imperfect piece of jewelry I will think differently. I will thank God for not tossing me aside for my imperfections.

Week 1/Day 1~ Ephesians, Chapter 1

As I opened my Bible today, I was hoping for encouragement and answers. I got both!!! First, it really reminded me that the Lord has a plan for our lives. He had his eye on us, a design for our lives even before we knew Him. I just have to keep reminding myself of that when I look at my sister's faithful friend Megan. He has already drawn out a plan for her life, her overall purpose he has worked out everything. Yet, is it hard for our eyes to see his overall plan for her life while she goes through so many hard struggles? It makes me think of Jesus life. If I were living back then, I too, would not understand why He had to die on the cross. BUT now I see God's perfect plan put into action. I trust and I am faithful that He too, has a plan for my life and Megan's, even if we can't see it now. I know God is trying to show/tell me that He wants me not to be afraid of His plan for my life. That He has it worked out perfectly according to His will. It is encouraging knowing someone is watching out for me and cares enough to have a plan for my life, detail by detail.

Verse 17-18 is my action plan. I pray that my eyes & heart our open. That I may be focused and clear, so that I may see exactly what it is God is calling me to do.