JUNE 2015
Welcome to the beautiful month of June. The weather has been as good as could be expected coming into June and we should be prepared for a hot summer. I pray this month will be one the LORD meets you where you are and will take you where HE wants you to go. I have thought about this scripture and wanted to share it with you this month. It comes from Ephesians 4:20-32.
Ephesians 4:20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (NKJV).
As Paul is writing to the Church of Ephesus, it appears he is letting the people hear the expectations of God. Then he explains what they have learned and how to act upon it. He is telling them they know better, then why don’t you live it? Life is meant to build the body of Christ, not tear it down. It is meant to live out a witness in your world that will encourage others to be drawn to Jesus. The more you learn how to become closer with Jesus by praying, bible study, and hearing the Word proclaimed. Jesus will enable you to instill HIS virtues into your life. With these great expectations of learning you will be able to learn how to LOVE like JESUS! As John Wesley would put it you would be “going on to Christian Perfection”. By learning this worthwhile attribute of God you will learn how to love your enemies, forgive your debtors, not get angry and become forgiving.
I would like for you to reflect on what The LORD has done for you in your life. Plus, how HE has helped you through unbelievably tough situations because you haven’t always been who you are today? So please remember GOD is still at work on us all! Each of us have learned different lessons and not all the same ones. Therefore, you have walked a different path than your neighbor. Please learn how to share your story with someone today and help spread the encouraging words of God’s mercy. How HE has helped you get to the place where you are today. May God receive the Honor and the Glory for all HE has done for you! Keep the Faith and keep pressing toward the mark of the High Calling of God!
In Christ Jesus,
Bro. Tony Antonelli