Understanding Ephesians

Our churches come in all styles and shapes which is their secret meetings in homes; wide-open gatherings in amphitheaters; worship services packing thousands into a sanctuary while an overflow crowd watches on closed-circuit television or known as CCTV; handfuls who kneel in urban storefronts.

As they read this masterful description of the church, they must thank God for the diversity and unity in their family, pray for their brothers and sisters across the world, and draw close to those in their local church.

The letter was not written to confront any heresy or problem in the churches. It was sent with Tychicus to strengthen and encourage the churches in the area. Paul had spent over three years with the Ephesian Church.

Paul may have intended this to be a circular letter in order to be read to all the churches in the area.

We do not believe what public officials say because there is a saying promises are easily to be broken and they do not fulfill anything as long there is outcome, then people will believe that there will be trust. We distrust the media because it is already in the public view of the audiences. They are quite certain that the smile of the television evangelist is a cover to disarm us before we get the financial pitch.

Although the strangest of all as what I have observed, what we deeply resent in others, we begin to allow in our own lives. When we lie to others, we begin to deceive ourselves as well. When we take what does not belong to us, we take from ourselves what all the money in the world cannot buy and that is integrity.

The supportive verse is found in Ephesians 4:25 and the verse says "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body."

It's not really totally stealing because it's me!

The question to our self is " Have you ever said that to justify what you were doing?"

You deserved what you took, at least so , you reasoned.

You were not paid enough for what you were doing, or you felt that what you took belonged to no one.

Our conscience is only as good as your knowledge of right and wrong.

Ultimately, you are accountable to God, and you can choose to live as he wants you to live. If you believe God said what he meant and meant what he said, you have to say "I will live by the book because that's the God wants. I am his child, and I refuse to justify theft simply because everybody is doing it."

Honesty is a choice that brings it's own reward regardless of what others do.

The supportive verse is found in Ephesians 4:28 and it says "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."

Once you have personal computer or laptop in your house, you will ask yourself, "So you think you may be replaced by a machine or a computer?" Well, it might not be too bad an idea. Machines don't take maternity leave unlike pregnant mothers they have maternity leave. Neither do they stop for coffee nor come in late and leave early. Machines don't talk back to you, nor give you a dirty look when you leave them on after 5:00 pm.

Machines do break down, although so do people. Let's face it. A lot of people have wondered when the time would come they would be replaced by a machine. They can check in the local office and they will see how many flat screen computers they will find.

Take for an example Japan, the robots are the one who builds automobiles not the humans and that's how high tech they are and economically developed.

In some offices, mail is delivered by a robot programmed to go from desk to desk dumping memos, letters, and proposals from other departments.

The bottom line is that very few people have been put out of work by machines, computers, and robots. It is one thing for sure which is the frustration and stress levels of those who have to be smarter than machines have increased tremendously.

Computers and machines are tools, not toys, and when you are driven by them, you have missed the whole point because it will result to a left behind scenario or to be updated. Just in case, I think I will keep at least one good old-fashioned manual typewriter because it is classified as obsolete thing.

The supportive verse is found in Ephesians 5:15-16 and the verses says "Be very careful then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. "

Here are the myths of Marriage:

Myth No. 1- Things will get better later on

Myth No. 2 - If he really loved me, he'd know what I want!

Myth no. 3 - Anger has no place in a relationship

Myth no. 4 - The quality of time we spend together as a family is more important than the quantity of time we are together.

Myth no. 5- Anything is better than this

Myth no. 6 - Having a baby will bring us together

Myth no. 7- Happily married people never unload on each other

Myth no. 8- Times of crisis make a marriage stronger

Myth no. 9 - My personal happiness is the most important thing in my life

Myth no. 10 - We can make it without God

The next paragraph is the two separate bible verses under the book of Ephesians.

The supportive verses are found Ephesians 4:9-10 and Ephesians 5:25. First, I will begin with Ephesians 4:9-10 and it says "Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better . If one falls , the other pulls him up, but if a man falls when he is alone , he's in trouble. " This is found in the Living Bible. While the second one is in New International Version and it says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

The Church at Ephesus, and all believers everywhere.

This book was written approximately 60 A.D. from Rome, during Paul's imprisonment there.

The key people are Paul, and Tychicus

There are several pictures of the church are presented: body, temple, mystery, new man , bride and soldier. This letter was probably distributed to many of the early churches.

Ephesians concludes with a concise analogy, perhaps inspired by a glimpse of a Roman soldier, outfitted in armor, patrolling the grounds of Paul's prison. Paul viewed the Christian life as a kind of warfare,and wanted his readers to prepare for combat with a dangerous opponent.He listed only the "sword of the spirit" as an offensive weapon; all the rest were used for defense.

The supportive verse is found in Ephesians 6:11 and it says "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes."