OzThoughts Wednesday 25th June 2008 As I set the theme for OzThoughts this week of our Christian walk, my mind went to Ephesians where Paul speaks of our life as Christians as our walk. At least that is the way I learnt the verses are in the Authorised Version. New versions give the same meaning but use different language. My mind when firstly to Ephesians 4: 1-3 (KJV): 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I of course turned to The Message and found this: Ephesians 4:1-3 (The Message) 1-3 In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. As I wondered what I might write about this, I thought well this is not a personal confessional. But do you notice that The Message deals with the negatives, not like some people who only want to dwell on the positive? I can see the writer of the Message Version, Eugene H Peterson, understands it is a very positive thing to deal with the negatives. Deal with the negatives and then the positives can be given even more attention. As I thought about these verses, Anne, a member of Salvationarmy3 internet group asked for the words of Howard Davies’ song “Lord, you know that we love you”. As I typed out the words to send, I found them a perfect commentary on the verses from Ephesians Chapter 4. They are more than that, they are a personal prayer: Lord. You know that we love You
You know our thoughts and intentions
Know the depth of devotion found in our lives today.
If our love has weakened,
If our fervour has waned
Turn us, Lord, by your Spirit
Let us love with love unfeigned
Lord you know that we love you!
Help that love to be true;
Fill our lives with your Spirit's power.
Lord of love, make us strong!
We who to Christ belong.
Lord. You know that we fail you;
Our sins how sorely they grieve you!
Many times we have fallen
Lord, Lift us up again.
May we walk to be worthy of the call that is ours.
May your will and your purpose claim our undivided powers!
Words and music by Howard Davies.Hallelujah Choruses (The Salvation Army) Number 24.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join): SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/ Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates Please forward this to your friends. Thank you and God bless you with love, peace and joy. |
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