Friday, October 23, 2015

Are you stuck?

Wednesday night is Bible study time at my church. We don't have worship music, we just seriously open God's Word and dig in. Mrs. Laurel is an awesome teacher. She makes the Scripture come to life. I have learned a lot under her.

This week, we were in Ephesians 4. I was playing around before church and copying the font in my Bible that I love so much.


Dictionary.com defines Futile as "incapable of producing any result; ineffective, useless; not successful".

Ouch. Futile is a harsh word.

There has probably been a time in our lives though, if we are honest, that we've all felt this way. In Jon Acuff's groups on Facebook, I know many people in there have felt this. 

In Ephesians 4: 17-20, it sounds like our lives before becoming Christians. Paul is speaking to Christians, though. They are living futile lives, stuck, and not moving forward for God. You can be a believer and be stuck. It's a normal thing. BUT we shouldn't stay there.

If we allow something to darken our understanding, to confuse us, or if we are ignorant about things, it causes separation for what God has for us. We can even harden our hearts towards God and things of God.. this can cause us to get stuck.

Let's look at a little chart:

Futile Living                                                                       Life of God Living
Life of Lies                                                                         Life of truth
Life of uncontrolled anger                                                  Life of handling anger and not                                                                                                             sinning while angry
Stealing/ Getting from people                                            Giving/ being generous
Dangerous Words                                                              Building up words

Mrs. Laurel said, "The secret is, have the Holy Spirit real enough that you hear  when God tells you "no" or "stop". It all comes down to relationship with God. NOT RULES! It's God in you. It's important to not be hard hearted."

In order to break free from futile living, we've got to make a decision that we want to be transformed. God does the transformation through Scripture, prayer, church, and meditation.

She also said, "When we meditate on God's Word, the tree of our life draws water from the stream near us, we will have fruit in season (fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and self control), that's our character. When that's lacking in your life, then you are in a season that you aren't planted by the the water."

Living by God's leading let's us prosper and not be stuck. We transform into who He planned for us to be all along and His Word is what changes us.

Are you stuck? Do you feel like you aren't growing or nothing is going right? 

Get back to the basics. Pray everyday, read the Bible, and memorize Scripture. 

Even last night at Zumba small group, the leader Sharon said that if we put in Scripture, it comes out when we need it. That's so true.

I am learning some Scriptures by turning them into prayers. Since I read it every day, it will help me memorize it. Sharon read from Ephesians 6 last night, so this morning, I took this part and turned it into a prayer:

"Father God, help me pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Let me stay alert and be persistent in my prayers for all believers everywhere. In Jesus name, amen" (Ephesians 6:18)

Like Mrs Laurel said, It's not about RULES! It's about your relationship with God and growing closer to Him.

If you feel stuck and would like me to pray for you, please contact me. I'd be honored to pray.

God bless you today and always.


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