Psalm 68:6a: “God sets the lonely in families”
Ephesians 3:14-15:”For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”
Life Application Study Bible commentary on Ephesians 3:14, 15: “The family of God includes all who have believed in him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything. God promises his love and power to his family, the church (3:16–21). If we want to receive God’s blessings, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers in the body of Christ. Those who isolate themselves from God’s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from God’s power.”
Here it is. Sunday has arrived. What will this day hold?
I was such a mess in 1983. Physically sick off and on, my father had died, my job was killing me, and I did not know how to be a wife even though I had been married for 13 years. I wandered around trying to figure out life on my own. I talked my boss into hiring a woman named Lisa. Her family had come to me as a stylist for years, since she was little. Now she was licensed and looking for a job.
I cannot tell you what Lisa did or said. She just was. She loved God. We made fun of her. We laughed about it all until we began to cry. We cried out to God and one by one we came to know Him.
I had many people around me, and I was eager to learn all about this Jesus I had just invited into my life. One woman offered to mentor me. She said that churches are awful and full of demons and I should never go. Why wouldn’t I believe her?
I loved the time I spent reading the Word and in prayer. Fellowship happened at work as we all talked about our new love. They went to church, but I obeyed my mentor and stayed away.
We decided to invite family over for July 4, 1984. The Walnut tree in the back yard was full of squirrels and walnuts and there was such a mess. Al decided that he would remove a limb from the trees so hopefully the squirrels would have a harder time getting up to the walnuts. He leaned a ladder against the limb of the tree and cut the end off. Most can predict what happened next. The limb went up, the ladder went down and Al fell 12 feet on to the ladder on the ground.
I called 911 and allmost immediately the scene was filled with sirens and people running. Al was just laying on top of the ladder, awake and waiting for help. The ambulance took him away and I called my mentor. I told her what happened and asked her to pray. As I approached Kaiser, I ran into the Redwood City 4th of July Parade. As I snaked to the back streets, I tried not to panic. Flying in the emergency door, I asked about my husband. They said I could not go in. I was so frightened, and did not know what to do. I used the pay phone and asked my mentor to pray again.
Al was just bruised and I was so relieved. I called my mentor when I got home and told her the good news. This was her reply: “Does God have to kill your husband in order for you to walk correctly with Him?” Everything inside of me screamed: That is NOT my God. He is not like that. He would never respond to me or Al that way. I walked away from my mentor and went to church.
While at church I found the scripture from Psalm 68:6a: “God puts the lonely in families.” I knew that I had found a place to belong even though all the people seemed so much more knowledgeable and knew how to be a Christ Follower better than I did. I wasn’t sure I fit in, or belonged in church, so I watched and studied and learned.
Yesterday and today when I read the Ephesians passage above and read the Life Application Study Bible’s Commentary, I reflected on the time when I was isolated, and kept away from the body of Christ. What a possible train wreck that can be! We cannot do this alone. We are meant to be together. Isolated, we can start to believe the craziest things. I need to be transparent to my sisters and brothers in Christ and live life before them so that I can be warned if I am drifting into strange beliefs about God, His Church and His people.
Another lesson I learned was that not by my words, but by my life will my husband know I am a Christ Follower. I quietly went about, walking with Jesus. Just as I had talked and laughed about Lisa, others did the same to me. I apologized to her for my behavior BC (before(I accepted) Christ).
My new life became full of purpose and promise. I knew why I was in my job, in my marriage and in my friendships. It all made sense in the Light of God. How I love being part of the Family of God. I am rescued, loved and cared for! I am so grateful to God every day.
As my favorite song I listened to today says (Chris Tomlin’s Love Ran Red)
At the cross, at the cross
I surrender my life
I’m in awe of You
I’m in awe of You
Where Your love ran red
And my sin washed white
I owe all to You
I owe all to You, Jesus
There’s a place where sin and shame
Are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God
And forgiveness
Where all the love
I’ve ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down
Here
My hope is found
Here
On Holy ground
Here I bow down
Here I bow down
Here
Arms open wide
Here
You saved my life
Here I bow down
Here I bow down
Ephesians 3:14-15:”For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”
Life Application Study Bible commentary on Ephesians 3:14, 15: “The family of God includes all who have believed in him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything. God promises his love and power to his family, the church (3:16–21). If we want to receive God’s blessings, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers in the body of Christ. Those who isolate themselves from God’s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from God’s power.”
Here it is. Sunday has arrived. What will this day hold?
I was such a mess in 1983. Physically sick off and on, my father had died, my job was killing me, and I did not know how to be a wife even though I had been married for 13 years. I wandered around trying to figure out life on my own. I talked my boss into hiring a woman named Lisa. Her family had come to me as a stylist for years, since she was little. Now she was licensed and looking for a job.
I cannot tell you what Lisa did or said. She just was. She loved God. We made fun of her. We laughed about it all until we began to cry. We cried out to God and one by one we came to know Him.
I had many people around me, and I was eager to learn all about this Jesus I had just invited into my life. One woman offered to mentor me. She said that churches are awful and full of demons and I should never go. Why wouldn’t I believe her?
I loved the time I spent reading the Word and in prayer. Fellowship happened at work as we all talked about our new love. They went to church, but I obeyed my mentor and stayed away.
We decided to invite family over for July 4, 1984. The Walnut tree in the back yard was full of squirrels and walnuts and there was such a mess. Al decided that he would remove a limb from the trees so hopefully the squirrels would have a harder time getting up to the walnuts. He leaned a ladder against the limb of the tree and cut the end off. Most can predict what happened next. The limb went up, the ladder went down and Al fell 12 feet on to the ladder on the ground.
I called 911 and allmost immediately the scene was filled with sirens and people running. Al was just laying on top of the ladder, awake and waiting for help. The ambulance took him away and I called my mentor. I told her what happened and asked her to pray. As I approached Kaiser, I ran into the Redwood City 4th of July Parade. As I snaked to the back streets, I tried not to panic. Flying in the emergency door, I asked about my husband. They said I could not go in. I was so frightened, and did not know what to do. I used the pay phone and asked my mentor to pray again.
Al was just bruised and I was so relieved. I called my mentor when I got home and told her the good news. This was her reply: “Does God have to kill your husband in order for you to walk correctly with Him?” Everything inside of me screamed: That is NOT my God. He is not like that. He would never respond to me or Al that way. I walked away from my mentor and went to church.
While at church I found the scripture from Psalm 68:6a: “God puts the lonely in families.” I knew that I had found a place to belong even though all the people seemed so much more knowledgeable and knew how to be a Christ Follower better than I did. I wasn’t sure I fit in, or belonged in church, so I watched and studied and learned.
Yesterday and today when I read the Ephesians passage above and read the Life Application Study Bible’s Commentary, I reflected on the time when I was isolated, and kept away from the body of Christ. What a possible train wreck that can be! We cannot do this alone. We are meant to be together. Isolated, we can start to believe the craziest things. I need to be transparent to my sisters and brothers in Christ and live life before them so that I can be warned if I am drifting into strange beliefs about God, His Church and His people.
Another lesson I learned was that not by my words, but by my life will my husband know I am a Christ Follower. I quietly went about, walking with Jesus. Just as I had talked and laughed about Lisa, others did the same to me. I apologized to her for my behavior BC (before(I accepted) Christ).
My new life became full of purpose and promise. I knew why I was in my job, in my marriage and in my friendships. It all made sense in the Light of God. How I love being part of the Family of God. I am rescued, loved and cared for! I am so grateful to God every day.
As my favorite song I listened to today says (Chris Tomlin’s Love Ran Red)
At the cross, at the cross
I surrender my life
I’m in awe of You
I’m in awe of You
Where Your love ran red
And my sin washed white
I owe all to You
I owe all to You, Jesus
There’s a place where sin and shame
Are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God
And forgiveness
Where all the love
I’ve ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down
Here
My hope is found
Here
On Holy ground
Here I bow down
Here I bow down
Here
Arms open wide
Here
You saved my life
Here I bow down
Here I bow down
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