Daily Reading for January 22 2010 from Ephesians 5:15-21

Day 12

Ephesians 5:15-21 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

A simple passage today before getting into a lengthy one tomorrow. Paul exhorts the people to watch how they live, to watch their witness. To make the most of every opportunity. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 

When are being taught to do everything as if we are doing it unto God.  So when you go to work you are working for God not the employer. Many times we get our eyes on our careers but we should always keep in mind that we are working for the glory of God. So Paul says make the most of every opportunity. Look for opportunities to minister and do God's Word and when those doors open be obedient. 

Speak to one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs...

Exhort others! Share your testimonies of God's goodness and encourage others with God's Word. Rejoicing in the Lord stirs us to joy and the joy of the Lord is contagious. There are many around us who need to get there eyes off our trials and on to our joy, our hope in Christ. 

Paul concludes this section with always give thanks. Paul teaches in other passages that we can be content in any situation. The Apostles were known for praising God even when they were being persecuted. They had truly learned that their hope was in Christ and not in the foundations of this world. This is a difficult task but let me encourage you today to thank God in spite of things that are discouraging you. That's right praise Him in advance because you know that you will always come out victorious in Christ. He has already bought our victory, He has fought our battles and we WIN. Practice praise and see if God doesn't lift your Spirit. Stir up your joy with praise and thanksgiving. We can all find something in which to be thankful for. 

Praise Him!

 - Pastor Larry

Daily Reading for January 21 2010 from Ephesians 5:1-14

Day 11

Ephesians 5:1-4 NIV
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10 and find out what pleases the Lord.11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

The first 2 verses of Chapter 5 say it all:

Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God

Be imitators of God and live a life of love just, just as Christ loves us!
There are many things that follow these words but the point is to be Godly, to be like Christ. The writer goes on to say what not to do but strategically places proper conduct in the passage. In verse 5 after a list of things we should not do we are told to speak words of Thanksgiving. Next we are told in verse 8 to live as children of light. The previous verses tell us not to be deceived or to act out of disobedience but rather we should obey God. Verse 9 in parenthesis tells us how to check to see if we are walking in the light  "the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth". So if we are walking in the light of the Love of Christ we should be producing fruit. The passage continues with find out what pleases God! How do we know what pleases God? We know that what the Spirit says we are to do and since the Spirit of God lives within us we can listen to His still small voice. When He convicts we respond in repentance, when He whispers we can quiet ourselves and obey His commands. We can also know what pleases God by reading the Word for it's infallible truth. A truth that sets us free. The passage continues by saying that as we walk in the light darkness is exposed.

Today's scripture reference ends with an exhortation to awaken from our sleep. There are many such passages in the scripture, most of which are speaking to the church to awaken and be strong. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to pray for an awakening. We live in a nation that needs to be awakened to its' origins, we were founded on Christian principles and it is time that we return to God. As you are praying next pray for your church. Every church needs an awakening from time to time. We need to be awakened to the power of God. We need to once again be out demonstrating God's Word by living it. Living a life of love, believing and demonstrating every Word of the Bible. Healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching the gospel until many come to know Him as their Savior. Finally, pray for a personal awakening. The awakening that is so need in our world, nation, and churches will start with a personal revival. The revival starts with us the individual and when one individual begins to trust God and seek His face others always follow before long a united, passionate church will rise up and begin to believe and declare the totality of the Word of Truth. Pray with me for an awakening.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry