The Rebelution discussion

Here you can post your thoughts on Ephesians, the first book in our Bible group read!! Have fun guys, we're starting today so go crazy! ;) Let us know if your joining us, if you don't this time then think about joining us next time!! :D We'll be planning to finish on March 19.

I was really encouraged by the first two chapters when I was going through an emotional state.

And I agree with Astrid's thoughts! Such a beautiful gift of true love from our Creator and King!

You have some really great thoughts there Astrid, and I thought something similar while reading the first two chapters of Ephesians. There are a couple verses in chapter 2 that I'm sure you all know but that I really love!

Here it is: Ephesians 2: 8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man shoukd boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This is so beautiful because it reminds us that we are saved by and through Christ, it is His doing not ours, we can't save ourselves! Ephesians is really deep in many ways like this, I'm really enjoying it!! :D

I love Ephesians! I am rereading it with you guys ;)
I actually had to memorize chapter 6 2 years ago... But unfortunately I don't remember every word of it anymore ;( But I will rememorize it! ;)

P.S. Even tho I am reading Ephesians with you guys, I am taking a week off this phone/electronics-- so plz don't mind if I don't post all that often! ;)
P.P.S. I am rereading Do Hard Things (DHT) ;) tho that's not the only reason I'm taking another weeklong break! I want to study God's Word more in depth w/o distractions... Which is helped by the fact that since I have unofficial pneumonia, I have to rest anyways!!! Lots more time for Bible study and reading!!! ;P ;)

You guys don't have to pray for me, I don't feel all that bad right now, and I've had it before. And even tho it leaves me with no physical energy, I still have my spiritual and emotional energy in full!!! ;) And I've always noticed when I get sick-- I'm hardly ever down emotionally/spiritually when it happens. Actually, I think it's God's way of getting to me-- for even tho I get sick and all, it/He refreshes my spirit and faith! So in a slightly funny way, getting sick is a refreshment ;P ;D

And I've always held by these things:
•"Nuffin (earthly) lasts forevah" (even to-the-death illnesses-- God kills them when we finally get to see Him! (& I'm not saying pneumonia is a to-the-death thing, it's not that huge.)
•God will do the best thing even past imagination for me & everyone. So whatever happens is the best for all & I "It is Well With My Soul", and "To God be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!"
•Everything happens for a reason, & God uses/turns/makes all things (to/for) good! So whatever happens, in essence, is "either a lesson or a blessing." Most if not all sicknesses are, for me, and in a rather odd way, a blessing. Also a lesson in a way-- I always learn new things and come out refreshed;)

Anyways I've chattered on enough. ;) I'll post things later and "TTYL"! ;) God bless you! And "May the peace and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, even to the end of the age." ;)

P.P.P.S. The biggest thing I want to do is...
To encourage people.
I hope I have done so in all I do, or at least this post ;) God bless you and your family! ;)

Thank you for sharing with us Ashley!! I think it's great that you're re-reading Do Hard Things and I'm super excited that you're reading Ephesians with us too!!! We would all love to hear your thoughts!

And there's no greater thing than to put everything down and focus on God and His word!!! So keep at it girl and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! ;)

Thank you ;) that means a lot to me :)

P.S. I know this isn't the prayer section, but could you pray for my family? My mom isn't feeling all that great because of the cold, and my sister keeps coughing. So please pray for them to at least feel better, that dad doesn't get it, that mom doesn't get pneumonia (it's basically only her & i who get it), and that some friends who're coming over today don't get what we have.

Much appreciated thank you!!!!
I will now go on my break and delete distractions off my phone-- then I will stick them back on when the week is over!
Thank you so much for the encouragement, it means a lot ;) I'll check back here on Goodreads in a week! "TTYL"! ;)

I'll be praying for your family's health Ashley! Actually our family has the stomach bug going around and we have guests at our house. I got it really bad yesterday but am fine today, prayers for us too would be much appreciated!!
"See" you in a week Ashley! :)

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

1599 Geneva Bible Notes:

2:13 (11) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(11) Christ is the only bond of the Jews and Gentiles, by whom they are reconciled to God.

1599 Geneva Bible Notes:

2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in (o) one body by the cross, having (p) slain the enmity thereby:

(o) He alludes to the sacrifices of the Law, which represented that true and only sacrifice. (p) For he destroyed death by death, and fastened it as it were to the cross.

I love those verses Timothy! I still need to read chapter 4, but I'm doing that today! ;) How is everyone else doing with the reading? Anything to share?

My favorite verses from Ephesians are:

Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:29-32
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-2
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

These verses remind us to forgive, exhort, encourage, and walk in love with each other, and not to hold any grudges, anger, or bitterness in our hearts. These are great passages for fellow believers in Christ reminding us that we need to think of others before ourselves and raise each other up in love.

Chapter 4 of Ephesians really goes into depth on this subject and I thought it was a great reminder for me personally. Chapter 5 dealt more with marital harmony for married or engaged couples, but still has valuable lessons for unmarried individuals to learn before marriage.

Does anyone have any other thoughts they'd like to share on this?

So today is the day I scheduled for us to be finished with Ephesians. If you're still working on it then that's fine, keep up the good work and feel free to continue sharing your thought! Finally, I'd like to share a few passages from chapter 6 that really inspired me.

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Amen! :)

Oh, that's okay, no worries! :) I'm wondering if we should do another book or wait awhile...