August 2012

Volume 1 Issue 3

ThinkOnIt News
T h i n k O n I t B i b l e M i n i s t r i e s I n c .

I MI TATO R S O F G O D
Forgive as We are Forgiven
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Understand what the Lord wants Follow Me Mystery Known We have a guarantee God gets all the credit Members of the household of God Empowered to walk wisely 2 2 2 3 4 5 6

Walk worthy of our calling by being tenderhearted and forgiving towards one another. Always remembering God forgave us, therefore, we forgive others. We treat others better than they deserve because again thats what God does to us. We dont deserve His abundant supply of mercy and grace, do we? And yet, He generously pours it out on us. He calls us to do the same to others around us. We do our part to live at peace with others, getting along with all people to the best of our abilities. When we are wronged we dont hold it against them, we dont seek revenge but rather give space and time for God to

work it out. God says vengeance is mine (Deuteronomy 32:35). Sacrifice My Will We consciously turn from our former conduct and put off the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts. We lay aside all things that hinder our walk, such as sin that easily ensnares us (Hebrews 12:1). We repent of our sins when we are made aware of them. We cast down every thought that exalts it self over God (2 Corinthians 10:5). We concentrate on being renewed in the Spirit of our mind, letting Gods word have its way (Romans 12:2), equipping us to put on the new

No matter where we are, God is near

man created after God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5:1-2).

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: The book of Ephesians is a wonderful treasure trove of relational help. Gods mercy towards us helps us extend mercy towards others Jesus is our example. We follow Him. Empowered by His Spirit to walk wisely

W AL K I N L OV E
God is love, we walk in Him (1 John 4:8). If we abide in Him, He abides in us (1 John 4:16). First Corinthians 13:4-7 defines love as Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. So we speak the truth in love and are encouraged to do good without growing weary. Our God does not grow weary of doing good for us, therefore, we dont grow weary either. Doing good also means knowing our purpose, using our gifts, talents and abilities to edify, encourage and build up others. Therefore, we redeem the time and make the most of every opportunity by walking in love.

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ThinkOnIt News

U N D E RSTA N D

W H AT T HE

L O RD

WA NT S
good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. And so we should follow Scriptures guidance. It was given so all would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:17 NLT This verse is a reminder that we are to be very intentional about how we live our lives, what we think and how we act. The worlds way teaches us to conform to societys way of thinking of whats socially acceptable. But thats not what God wants of us.
There is a road that seems right but ends in death. The Lords way is the high way.

Like Romans 12:2 says Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. We should consider our steps wisely. By reading Gods Word, well be in a position to understand what the Lord wants us to do. As Micah 6:8 says He has showed you, O man, what is

F O LLOW M E
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
When we look to Jesus as our example we will seek the Father and his will in all things. We pray for strength to carry out His plan and purposes. We lay aside our will and ask to have the Fathers will be done. We will sacrifice ourselves for others as many times as is required until Christ returns to take us home. Jesus did not leave us without the power to accomplish all this. No, He left us His Spirit to guide us and empower us to do all God desires us to do. our generation. In your name we pray, Amen

Lord Jesus, thank you for your example to us. Thank you for your spirit to lead us and equip us for all God wants us to do. May be seek the Father and carry out His will in

T H E M YST E RY

IS

K N OW N
live a godly life until Christ returns (2 Peter 1:3). He has made His mystery known to us. Think about before you came to Christ. It was a mysterythe things of God. But now, He has brought us near by the precious sacrifice of His Son Jesus (Ephesians 2:13) and the mystery of God has been revealed to us. It was all according to His plan to show us this at the appropriate time. And we know that His plan and purpose is to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). So consider what Hes done for us already. Be joyful!

Secrets revealed

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ Ephesians 1:9 NKJV Praise God that He chose us to be with Him forever. He has given us everything we need to

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W E H AV E A G UAR AN T E E
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possessionto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV Isnt is wonderful to be included? Likewise, isnt is unpleasant when youre not included. You have no worry, you were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation. Thank God! Because God is so good, He wants you to know that youve been saved once and for all. He gave you a guarantee His Holy Spirit is a deposit within you guaranteeing your redemption and demonstrating you are Gods possession. Romans 6:3 says you are one with Christ. Therefore, you are part of Christ, included in Him. We are one body in Christ (Romans 12:5). Since we are one with Christ, we have His power living within us that allows us to put to death the old man of the flesh and to put on the new man of Jesus and His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, we live in the Spirit and not of the flesh.
Invisible Holy Spirit resides in us provide His assurance of our salvation.

GOD

G E T S AL L T HE CRE DI T
the lowest point in my life. Id made a big mess of everything. I knew I was helpless to fix any of it. Im so thankful, He knows whats best for me. Sometimes we want to earn our way to salvation for ourselves, but then we miss the most important free-be of all times! Gods free gift of salvation. He gave His Son to die for you and me. To pay for our sins, so we could be called children of God and go to heaven one day. He SAVED us from hell, but not by any effort on our part, except maybe realizing our helplessness.

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you cant take it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8 NLT God loves you so much. He knew exactly what it would take for you be in a place to accept the gift He gave you. For me, it was when I was at

I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

MEMBERS

OF T H E HO U SE H OL D O F
exciting? You have a place with all the saints! You matter to God! How wonderful! Ephesians 4:1 says I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Jesus taught us in John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a master

G OD
doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. The Master confides in us! That means He loves us and trust us with His Word. He wants us to know Hes given us everything we need to live a godly life until Jesus returns (2 Peter 1:3).

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God Ephesians 2:19 NKJV Welcome! You belong to the household of God! Isnt that

Empowered by God . So get moving in His direction.

T h i n k O n I t B i b l e M i n i s t r i e s I n c .

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Encouraging you with Gods words

We exist to encourage you with Gods words. We do that through Bible devotions, Bible studies, and small group leader tips. We are internet based as it is a very cost effective way to reach many people around the world with the good news of the Bible. We started in 2009 with Bible devotions for our founders small group. Now we offer free Bible devotions over the internet and via email subscriptions. In addition, our inductive Bible studies called Your Discovery Series are now available on Amazon. Our main focus is women in or leading small group Bible studies. We long to equip them to carry out Gods purpose in their lives.

If this newsletter has encouraged you, wed love to hear about it. Contact Elizabeth@thinkonit.org Ephesians is a great book to study to improve your relationship with God and others. Try our newest study called Discover the Riches of His Grace ~ Learning to Do Relationships Gods Way. Get your copy at https://www.createspace.com/3672120

E M P OWE R E D

T O WAL K WI SE LY
We actually punish disobedience through obedience. When we are obedient we are the light to the world. We are salt of the earth, seasoning it with Gods ways (Matthew 5:13). Because everything apart from God is evil, therefore, we stand out as different from the world. We are filled with His Holy Spirit, enabling us to walk His path, crucifying our flesh and denying ourselves, putting off the old man and putting on Jesus Christ instead so the Holy Spirits fruit (Galatians 5:22 love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control) is made evident in our lives more each day. Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us enough to die for us and provide your Holy Spirit to guide us in every way until the day we go live with you forever. In your name we pray Amen.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV Pauls instructions are clear. We need to walk as disciples of the Lord. We follow Christ and His example. We can not afford to be foolish any longer. We are now closer to meeting the Lord face to face than when we first believed. Time is drawing near. We live in a fallen world that is getting more and more evil. But we can redeem the time, by living obedient lives.

We can redeem the time, by living obedient lives.