House2HouseMD

Love, Grace and Peace to You The number one longing for every human being is to have peace. We long for peace in our hearts, in our families, in our communities, our nations. The rich and famous will pay anything for peace of mind and likewise the very poor. There is no set price for peace except for whatever it will cost. How do you get true peace? There is fake peace. All of life is lived from infancy to the grave seeking peace. There are no exceptions in the pursuit of peace for all humans. As we conclude our study of Ephesians, Apostle Paul offers and prays for peace to all. In essence, he is saying, the whole letter I wrote you comes down to only one thing, that you may have peace. Listen to Paul: 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephesians 6: 23-24 Still how do we get peace? Read all of the letter of Paul to the Ephesians but let’s...

Be a Tychicus As you come to the end of the movies, you see a long list of credits. There is recognition for almost everyone. There are the writers, producers, videographers, photographers, and including the janitors in some cases. The list of credits says to me that everyone is important and not just the main actors and actresses. As we come to the end of our study of the Letter of Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, one important credit is mentioned - Tychicus. Listen to Paul in Ephesians 6:21-24: 21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Please meet brother Tychicus (bro Ty) the ...

Watchful and Perseverance in Praying This Thursday May 7th 2015 is the National Day of Prayer in the USA. The theme this year is “Lord Hear Our Cry” 1 Kings 8:28. What a privilege to come together as a Church, the body of Christ from all races, tribes, denominations and nations to call out to our father and cry out to Him for our nation and for our people. Praying is not what we do. Praying is who we are in Christ. As we continue meditating on Ephesians 6, Paul emphasized on praying always and without ceasing, being watchful and persevering in prayer. Again, let’s hear Paul: “18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak”. Ephesians 6:18-20 If we are praying i...

Mystery of the Gospel Some of the best sellers on New York Times are the mystery book series and the intrigues. We love mysteries. There are two kinds of mysteries. There are revealed mysteries and there are mysteries that still remain mysteries. What is the mystery of the gospel that Apostle Paul referred to when he requested the Ephesian Church to pray for him? If it is so important to Paul and we are to pray for it, then we must in the simplest way understand the mystery of the gospel. Here is Paul’s instruction on prayer and his prayer request in Ephesians 6:18-20: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. We note that Paul wants the Ephesians and al...

What Are You Praying for? Pray for my boldness to make known the mystery of the Gospel Here is a dearly beloved family member who is in jail and imprisoned for no fault of his. He has just written you a very encouraging and challenging letter. He never for once mentioned feeling sorry for himself and the injustice he is receiving. He ends the letter by making just one request for you to pray for. Surprised! He is not asking you to pray for his release from prison. He is not evening asking you to pray for his daily up keep and food. Just one thing –“boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel”. What are you and I praying for? What fuels our prayers? If all our prayers are listed, what will be the most common theme? I submit to you that most of our prayers are motivated by fear. Unlike Paul, his prayers were motivated by love for His Lord. These are two different perspectives and two different results. Listen to Paul in Ephesians 6 on spiritual warfare and prayer: 14 S...

Pray, Pray and Pray The highest form of pride and arrogance is not to pray to the almighty God, maker of heaven and earth. Pride goes before fall so when you stop praying or rarely pray, watch out for a big fall. Pride equals prayer-less-ness. When I am not praying, I am declaring myself a mini god because I want to be in control and take care of all situations and their outcomes. Prayer is worship and we are worshippers. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, ha...

Wield Your Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God Have you been pushed to the wall by Satan to be tempted and tested? Well, Jesus was and He is our example. How did Jesus respond? “It is written” simple. Listen to the conversation: “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” You can read the rest of the account in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. In Luke, it says, “13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time”. If Jesus faced temptation and testing so must we His followers. Satan and his demons don’t not give up easily because they will come back at “an opportune time”. Satan came back for Jesus at Gethsemane wanting Jesus not to go to the Cross. Jesus said, Father, your will be done and it was done. If Jesus the Son of God used the Word of God, so must we. It is war time. Let’s wie...