Ephesians 6:1-9

Wednesday evening our Bible study group studied the God ordained relationships between parents and children, and then slaves and masters While common in Roman times and much of humanity history the modern Western interpretation of the second passage regarding slavery is understood as employers and employees. The key to both passages and the preceding one about husband and wife's is obedience. Wife's are to submit to husband, children to parents, and employees to employers. Is this because husband, parents and employers are wonderful? They probably aren't and certainly not perfect. We obey for the Lord Jesus sabe. Here is where the greatest commandment comes into play to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind,soul and strength.How do we express that love? Through obedience. "If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15 cf John 14:21,26, 1 John 2:5 etc Note: the algorithm keeps changing what I write and I weary of correcting it.

Ephesians 5:22-33

Last night we tackled one of the most controvérsias passages in the Bible because of the many verses that apply to marriage these are probably the most important. The passage as a whole shows the parallel between Christ's relationship with the Church, His bride, and the relationship between husband and wife. The wife is to submit to her husband as to the Lord which means the depth and sincerity of her submission is,a reflection of the depth and sincerity of her relationship with Jesus. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church which seems an impossible goal when we contrast the holiness and perfection of Christ with our own relative lack. Yet this is the standard. Verse 32 refers to a profund mystery, the only time this word is used of any of the 12 different mysteries that the NT tells us. I believe the importance here is God's plan that a believing husband and wife are intended to be a divinely ordained illustration of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Verse 33 is the key to a healthy God honoring marriage. The primary need of the man is respect. The primary need of the woman is love. We tend to give what we are comfortable with rather than what the other person needs.

Seychelles!

I wonder how many north Americans know about the,Seychelles? They are a group of island between África and Índia a country with a population of just over one hundred thousand. They apeak English, French or Creole and have just done an amazing thing. After not appearing on the list of the top 19 countries for most blog page views ever, in the last week they set a record of over six thousand pages views more than the US or any other countries try has,atrained. In the process they helped to set a new monthly page views record with more than 42,000 in only 9 days. May God bless the people of the Seychelles with his grace and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other news the kids camp season is over for the year although we wilm have weekend retreats into November. Now we try to get everything done that we couldn't do while the kids were here. ot to mention a little recuperation.

Ephesians 5:1-21

Last night the Bible study group began Ephesians chapter 5. Several of,Paul's themes appeared. The first was imitating God or godly people also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Philippians 3:17. The rest of verse 1 speaks of our identity in Christ as dearly loved children. Paul then shows the contrast in verses 3 and 4 of what we should put off. He explains covetousness as idolatry, a rarely explored topic in the Church in America. He goes on to write of the contrast between spiritual light and darkness. Verse 16 explicitly says the days are evitar. We live in a fallen world drenched in sin. We are to be filled (ongoing) with the Spirit, giving thanks "always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."!

55!

Today I celebrate my 55th spiritual birthday. I thank God through Jesus Christ for His ongoing grace and mercy, for sustaining me all these years. I remember that day hitchhiking south on highway 101 in the redwood country, the van that picked me up, and the young Jesus freaks who ministered the gospel to me. Today as I look back over five and a half decades, He has led me on quite a journey. May I receive His love and truth and share that with others. I also thank the readers of this little blog for their interest in what I have written. I hope it has edified and encouraged you in some way. "Our outer self is wasting away, but our inner self is being renewed day by day 2 Corinthians 4:16 "Once I was young and now I am old; I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." Psalm 73:26 "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4