Jun 7, 2020
Authentic Spirituality Pt. 15
The Fantastic Four Eph. 6:21-24
By Louie Marsh, 7-10-2005
BUZZARD If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
BAT The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
BUMBLEBEE A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
PEOPLE In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not ever realizing that all they have to do is look up.
Authentic Spirituality is…
1) PERSONAL
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are… Ephesians 6:21-22a (NIV)
so being desirous of you, we are well-pleased to impart to you not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because beloved ye have become to us, 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (YLT)
2) Centered in the HEART.
whom I have sent to you for this very thing, that ye may know of our affairs and that he may encourage your hearts. Ephesians 6:22 (Darby)
3) SUSTAINED by 4 Qualities
May God give you peace, dear brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God's grace be upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Ephesians 6:23-24 (NLT)
Love is faith in action – as long as your faith is in the right thing.
9/11 is an example of faith being placed in the wrong thing – and horror results. Faith in a false god results in hatred and evil. Faith in the true and living God must always result in actions of Godly love!
Godly love IS faith in action!
We are not only saved by grace, but we serve by grace, pray by grace, indeed do all that we do, feel all that we feel, know all that we know, experience whatever we experience, by, in and through grace.
For it is only by God’s grace that we are allowed to live, that we are blessed to know Christ, and to live in and serve Him.
If you’ll take the time this week to think deeply about the ramifications of grace, it will alter your entire view of life.
Taking the time to do so would be a fitting tribute to this incredible book!
To help with that – devotional!!!