Multifaceted

So I have 3 more verses to go until I was supposed to post (I'm going through JD Greear's sermon series in order) but this verse was so amazing I had to post! I love it when God speaks to me where I am and uses things in my life to help me understand His Word.

3:10 says, "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." At first: confusing! But after reading some notes and digging a little deeper: gold.

The word manifold means: variegated or multifaceted. The note in my Bible says, "in the way that many facets of a diamond reflect and enhance it's beauty." A DIAMOND!!! God is so funny. I just got a beautiful diamond for Christmas with MANY facets. I understand multifaceted; I think I've looked at my ring a thousand times now. And this is how God chooses to describe his wisdom. How cool!

It goes on to say (paraphrase) that the degree that Christians are united (understand his wisdom) is the degree that the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms understand God's wisdom. That's a lot of responsibility. So, our job is to understand the multiple facets of God's wisdom and be united as a church (local and global) and so communicate God's wisdom to the heavenly authorities. I pray we are doing a job worthy of our wonderful Savior!

Ephesians 2:1-10- Thank you Jesus!

This week has been one crazy week spiritually! The theme in my life lately has been fear. I am very fearful of things and God is revealing how that is a sin because I am making my fear an idol; I am not trusting Him. I listened to a podcast by J.D Greear (Fear: Homewrecker Series) which explicitly stated the negative consequences of fear. J.D and his wife helped me understand that my fear is crippling me now, and could in huge ways someday in marriage. I am so glad that God is working this out in me right now.

While Ephesians 2 does not talk about fear, it goes perfectly with this week's lesson from God. There is a very start contrast in Ephesians 2:1-10.

 1) We were dead in our transgressions. Like corpses, we could not do anything to save ourselves. The ONLY thing we were capable of was living in our own sin and gratifying craving of our flesh. Then comes the beautiful transition.

2) BUT GOD. But God!!!! In his great love and mercy, God saved me. He lifted me out of my filthy sin and chose to seat me in heaven with his Son. Verses 8-9 highlights it for us: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast."This is so beautiful in contrast to the rotten filth that I was before.

Verses 4-10 make it possible for overcoming fear in my life. Without God's incredible mercy, I would be stuck with my fear forever. But I am not because He loves me! This incredible truth danced in my heart this moment and I am an eternally grateful for the gift that God has given me. Merry Christmas to me!