"Awesome"

^{Acts 2:43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 

Websters 1828 Dictionary of the english language describes the word AWE as follows:

awe

1. Fear mingled with admiration or reverence; reverential fear.

Stand in awe and sin not. Ps. 4.

2. Fear; dread inspired by something great, or terrific.AWE, v.t. To strike with fear and reverence; to influence by fear, terror or respect; as, his majesty awed them into silence.

Certainly this is one of those words that has been hijacked by the common vernacular and seriously "dumbed down" I think of the ridiculous movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" where a young Sean Penn uses and re uses the phrase "awesome" most times referring to some idiotic marijuana induced figment of his imagination in the irredeemably useless plot. Since that movie came out in 1989 our culture has used the word "awesome" to describe things that have less and less value.
I believe that some words should be reserved for the things of God. The term "awesome" is a perfect example of this. To inspire awe due to greatness mingled with admiration and reverential fear seems to me should be reserved for God and God alone.

APPLICATION
It will be my goal to only use the word "awesome" as it is expressly connected to the Lord or of His works, in my heart only He deserves my true awe.

A Welcome Fresh Renewal - Acts 2:42

ACTS 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

This was a community of people who were interdependent on one another like all agricultural communities. They daily drew water from a communal well, they were, clan by clan, family by family often related through marriage and had many common interactions and dependencies with one another all of the time.

Lets consider that this very group of people experienced the resurrection of Christ personally, or if not personally then they indeed knew someone close to themselves who did. At this point in time the crucifixion and resurrection had just occured in their midst,  we are talking within weeks of this time period. Many personally saw the risen Jesus. I am sure this had a profound effect on the whole community.
These new converts were hungry believers, devoted to what the Apostles were teaching, perhaps they were all in such awe at the evidence of the resurrection of Christ that they were eagerly devoted to the things of God, the fellowship of the believers, breaking of bread together enjoying each others encouragement and prayer times where they would pour out their hearts and sense the Lords presence. Also let us not forget that the indwelling Holy Spirit was at work in the hearts and lives of these new converts for the very first time in the history of mankind, I am sure they sensed that something amazing was happening.

APPLICATION
I recall when I had a newness to my faith and experienced some of these very same things. That indeed was a sweet time I like King David cry out to renew a steadfast spirit within me, to revive me to a fresh love and excitement of what God is doing today in my life.

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

In Him and through faith in Him. This is an amazing concept. When we look at the Law of God we find only the plumb line of righteousness. The perfect and unmoving standard of all that is right. Problem is that in itself the Law consistently shows what a perfect life should be but does not shed any light on HOW to live up to it. It is like a meter of sorts like a gas gauge on your dashboard. It shows you how much gas you have in the tank precisely, but does nothing, not one whit to show you how to get gas or where to get gas or anything of the sort. The Law, like the gauge merely gives a snapshot of truth. Now when we look at the incomparable life of Christ we see not only the perfect example of how to live and how the Law is fulfilled in a human life but more importantly we have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us and to empower us to lead holy and righteous lives. This is the paramount difference that separates our faith from all other creeds or religions. The Law which is the perfect standard coupled with the great grace of God to accomplish it. All for the benefit of fulfilling His purposes on earth and coincidentally as we do so we enjoy great peace and joy in ourselves. In Him and through Him.

APPLICATION
To seek to get self out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to truly lead my life today.

Ephesians 3:11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is comforting to know that the eternal purposes of God are being accomplished even despite the depravity of man, the free will of man and even the blatant militism of the new atheists. God's will will prevail on earth as it is in heaven. Our peace and fulfillment rely on our agreement with His purposes and even more so by attuning our lives to His purposes and our role in them.  A friend of mine asked the simple question: What would you do with your life if you knew that you only had 12 months to live. I replied to him that I would do exactly what I was doing and he agreed that he would as well. Then I mused that when you seek and find God's will for your life His purpose and your purpose align in the the things you pursue in your life and you have peace. It is for those that are not in tune with God's purpose that a question like this may stir all kinds of emotions like fear, regret and perhaps resistance.  God will not be mocked, His will will prevail so why not get in step with His Spirit and enjoy the ride?


APPLICATION
To have the confidence to know that God will work out all things to achieve His purpose and to be useful to Him with my word and deed in His accomplishing that today.

Ephesians 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

I find it quite interesting that Paul would know or presume to know the intent of God. Intent is a very difficult thing to perceive. So Paul with reliance on the Holy Spirit for inspiration has been given revelation of this truth. The unveiling of the mystery of God held quietly through the ages up until his writing of this epistle from that dark and dank Mamartine prison cell in Rome. There is much to be said about isolation and reflection in the quiet place where the still small voice of God may become amplified. Our modern existence is a difficult and continuous bombardment of input from every corner of our lives. To be one like Paul or Jesus who only spoke the words the Father has given should be the goal of every Christian.

APPLICATION
To be intentional in getting away to a quiet place today to reflect and listen to the voice of the Lord.

Ephesians 3:9 - God is Answering the Call for Wisdom, are you Listening?

⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
Proverbs 25:1-3

We as Christians have the glorious ability to search out a matter, by this I mean that we can seek and indeed find truth. We do this through study of the Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit and through divine revelation as God sees fit. This is a powerful gift that we can enjoy the fruit of if we apply ourselves to engage  our minds in this way.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

 APPLICATION
What a great benefit we have in this, I recommit to seek Him for the answers I need to lead my family into the path of His purpose and will for us.

Ephesians 3:8 - Keeping Spiritual Lines of Communication Clear

⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

Accepting Christ as the Messiah was a giant leap for the establishment Jewish leadership to digest. To make matters even worse, the apparent inclusion of the gentiles into this group was anathema, an unscalable wall of prejudice separating the two groups for generations had been deeply embedded into the fabric of their way of life. Culturally the Jews could not conceive of including the gentiles into their neat little collective society, with all its exclusivity and family tree and all. Years and years of the "us vs. them" mentality coupled with disdain and disgust ushered in the sin of  prejudice.  This sin prevented them from seeing their own Messiah right before their eyes.  Sin will always cloud our judgment and interfere with our ability to connect with God.

Psalm 66:16-18
¹⁶ Come and hear, all you who fear God;
   let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
   his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
   the Lord would not have listened;

APPLICATION
To cherish my connection with the Holy Spirit and to confess quickly my sin so as to keep the lines of communication open and clear.