Sunday Words of Encouragement October 23, 2022 - Imitate God

I had some car troubles - my Prius needs a new auxiliary battery. I thought it was the key fob battery which also needed to be replaced, but it was more. My daughter left her car but it was running rough and hot. So I could have taken hubby's jeep this morning but it triggered grief so I stayed home and did church online. I am so grateful it is available online!

Pastor's message was based on Ephesians 4 and 5 - Imitate God.
We are created beings who are to reflect and be imitators of God’s nature. But the sinful nature causes us to fall short. It is not always good to imitate our earthly parents, siblings, or heroes. But when we love our parent, siblings, or heroes, we may imitate them. If we love God, we should want to imitate Him.

God hasn’t “asked” us to do things. We need to recognize that He directs or commands us to do things!
Do we look different than others in this world? We must not imitate the world, but imitate God. Ephesians 4:17-23.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The world knows that what we behold, or focus on, is what we become. So be careful what you dwell on.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.

Put off falsehoods, anger, stealing, unwholesome speech. Ephesians 4:25-28.
We need to be in the Word and prayer everyday so God can continually clean our hearts.
Be an honest contributor rather than only a consumer. V 28
Build up others with encouragement. V 29
Do not grieve the Spirit. V 30
Get rid of bitterness and every form of malice. V 31
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” V 32.

Spiritual gifts and position are not God’s stamp on character! Don’t imitate the man of God. Imitate Christ so others can see Christ in you.

The way we live ought to be worship to the Lord. Christ sacrificed Himself for us. Ephesians 5:2.
We should offer our bodies as a living sacrifice as proper worship to God. Romans 12:1-2.

I went to my 38 pages of lists of songs… Then I found this one online and just went “wow!”
So Will I and Do it Again.

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Holy Spirit, I pray that you help me to imitate Christ in my life.