1441-1448c, Ephesians 4:7-13

Blessings
1441. Cole and Avonlea falling asleep with me on the couch (different times but on the same day)...and the fact that I am truly treasuring these moments, as I know how quickly they will pass
1442. Looking over at Blake during Sunday's worship service and seeing him with a confused look on his face and his hand in the air (imitating members of the worship team)...what a wonderful teachable moment :)
1443. Avonlea imitating my smile over and over as the praise team sang
1444. Telling a friend who was starting a bible study that leaving my house regularly with my 3 little ones is just too tiring to commit to - and the next thing I new the bible study was in my living room
1445. Cole singing "Jesus loves me" as I type out ways that he loves me
1446. Daddy, Blake and Cole making snow forts for hours
1447. A thought provoking sermon by Matt Chandler (who I've actually never heard of, but enjoyed the sermon because of a friend's recommendation)
1448. A compliment from my husband that spoke right to my heart
1448b. Brand new life growing in a womb (no, not mine...and no, you don't know her - unless you are her -and if you are...I'm thankful for you too)
1448c.Realizing as I typed the last blessing that it actually could apply to 2 people who are close to my heart (neither of which you know :) :) :)

Scriptural Blessings
1449. GRACE
1450. GIFTS
1451. People who have been equipped
1452. The hope that God will equip me
1453. Until we all...BECOME MATURE - process, process, process
1453. One day we will sit before Him and completely and totally grasp THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FUlLNESS OF CHRIST


Ephesians 4:7-13

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

   “When he ascended on high,
   he took many captives
   and gave gifts to his people.”^[b]

 ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Praying the word
Lord, it is easy (for me, at least) to question what we have been apportioned - thank You that Your grace has been given as You apportioned it.  You know exactly what we need in all areas, Father - and You give accordingly.  You gave (and still give) soooo many gifts to your people.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the abundant gifts you give.  Father God I am so incredibly thankful that Christ descended to the lower, earthly regions, because apart from His death on the cross, I am nothing.  Truly.  I make so many mistakes every day - and yet You see me through Your son.  Thank You, Lord, for the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers that You have used to draw me close to You.  Somehow in some way, Father I ask that You use me to encourage and equip others - especially my children Lord Jesus.  Thank You for the hope that one day we will all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.  The church, as a whole, seems so far from that.  It is so easy for each of us to get wrapped up in our differences.  Lord, I ask that You help me and those reading this that have the desire, to become mature - and get closer and closer to attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  I thank You Lord Jesus that You are sooooo big that even if we studied You and Your word every day - there is always more.  I (perhaps, we) want more of You Lord!