Meditation: Joan Boney
Recently the word "jesting" caught my attention. I found it in the following instruction.
Eph. 5 ... But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jesting: to make yourself a fool ... there are times not to share with them ... I often pray for God to have me say only that which I need to say when I go to dinner with person of this world or when I go to various appointments such as those to have car worked on ...
In verse 5, Paul talks of "unclean" ... An unclean person is that person in church who deceives another person, often for personal gain of reputation or money ... We must not be unclean and we must not associate with any man who calls himself a brother when that man deceives others for personal gain and lives in lies. We, the church must live in truth. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because
of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Eph. 5
==================
Meditation: Pam Padgett
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
need:
- required because it is essential or very important; necessary
- required for some course of action
- basic necessities
- required help or support
God knows what I need.
I may think I need things I don't (husband, lots of savings, etc.).
I may think I don't need what I do (therapy dog work, new processor, etc.)
But God knows exactly what I need and what is needed to prepare me for
future ... I don't know what's in the future except as God shows me
And God knows and provides what is best for me in each situation ... green pastures.
My needs may be very different than someone else. But God knows me and exactly what I need.
Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the
nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.