Saturday, May 23, 2020 – Ephesians 5:15-20

Making Wise Decisions

People often complain that they don’t have enough time to do everything they need to do in a day, week, month, or year. I’m guilty of this as well and have jokingly said, “I’m trying to figure out a way to add more hours to a day and more days to a week.” The truth of the matter is that every person is given the same twenty-four hours every day. The difference is in how we choose to use our time. Here, the Apostle Paul is warning us to not waste our time doing things that are unproductive, or that are flat-out sinful. Instead, we should be looking for opportunities to do what God wants us to do every day.

Each of us has only one life, and no one knows how long we will live. We only get one chance to live each day, and unfortunately, we don’t get to add hours to days or days to weeks. Perhaps you’ve heard people talk about how they would live differently if they had another chance, or a redo. In these verses, the Apostle Paul is trying to help us live a Spirit-filled, godly life now – so we don’t have to get to the point where we wish we could go back and do things differently.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you that we can come to you when we are stressed out and burned out due to the things with which we have allowed to fill our lives. Help us to focus more on the main thing that should fill our lives – worshiping you and growing closer to you. Fill us more with your Holy Spirit so that there’s no room in us for the other unwise things.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Friday, May 22, 2020 – Ephesians 5:11-14

In the World, Not of the World

In this passage, the Apostle Paul continues his thoughts on how followers of Jesus need to walk in the light of Jesus and please God. He is making it clear that living apart from the darkness (i.e., sin) does not mean we need to withdraw completely from the world. After all, Jesus – in John 17:14-19 – referred to both Himself and His followers as “not of the world” but in the world. In this passage in John’s Gospel, Jesus states, “My prayer is not that you (God) take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (verse 15). This tells us that we are in a world filled with sin and darkness, but that we have a protection from it, and that protection comes from God – via the Holy Spirit – in the form of a relationship with Jesus.

It is important for Jesus’ followers to avoid the “worthless deeds of evil and darkness” (i.e., anything that results in sin), but Paul – in today’s Ephesians passage – takes this one step further and states that we are to also expose these things. We are to prove them fruitless, definitely by our conduct, and not so much by private or public scolding. Unfortunately, some Christians focus more on the scolding and the publicly calling out of others who live lifestyles with which they disagree, which makes others view all Christians as judgmental.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for allowing us to go from darkness to light – from a life of sin and separation from you, to a life that is lit up by your glory, grace, and goodness. Thank you for showing us a better way, and for providing us hope. Thank you also for allowing us to play a part in lighting up this dark world so that others can come into relationship with you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Thursday, May 21, 2020 – Ephesians 5:8-10

In the Light

In this passage, the Apostle Paul once again contrasts the lives of followers of Jesus both prior to, and after coming to faith in Jesus. Prior to, we were full of darkness (i.e., sin). After, we are full of light. Paul is continuing the emphasis he began back in verse one of chapter five by stating that followers of Jesus are to be imitators of God. The first way we are to imitate God is in His love, and the second way is in relation to light.

As is often the case, God brings songs to my mind when reading Scripture. As I have been reading and meditating on verses eight through ten, a song called “In the Light” by DC Talk has been running through my mind. Click here to listen to the song. Here are some of the lyrics:

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for being our light and for allowing us to share your light with others. As children of light, help us to join together and light up the darkness in this world. And, Lord, if our light ever starts to fade due to the distractions we allow to creep into our lives, help us to be aware of it and to draw closer to You so that our light can be strengthened.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Ephesians 5:3-7

Lives Pointing to Jesus

Today, in the world in which we live, some don’t like to hear about anything but love, particularly when it comes to God. So when Paul talks about immorality and other sins, that there will be some who will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and the anger of God, it can be disconcerting. While God IS love (1 John 4:8), there is also more to God than love. Actually, I should say that the other aspects of God’s character all point back to His love for us.

Paul is very matter of fact here when he states that there shouldn’t even be a hint of sexual immorality among us and that we shouldn’t partake in impure talk. Obscenity and coarse joking are so common today that we begin to think they are acceptable and normal – we have almost become desensitized to them. Paul cautions, however, that improper language should have no place in the Christian’s conversation because it does not reflect God’s gracious presence in us. Paul’s point is that this kind of language has no value because it does not build anyone up, and it does not line up with how followers of Jesus should live their lives.

James focuses on this as well in James 3:10:

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

We are called to point others to Jesus and to show them what a relationship with Him looks like by letting them see our lives. How can we praise God and remind others of His goodness when we are sometimes no different than the rest of the world?

However, Paul offers a solution. He says that instead of living in these ways, we should live in – and show – thankfulness to God. Every year, I see posts on social media where people post something for which they are thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving. What if, instead, we tried something like this with speaking encouragement to a random person each day? What if we spoke only kind and uplifting words?

Prayer:

God, help us to remember that we are called to a higher standard than the rest of the world and that we are often being watched to see how we will react and respond to the situations in which we find ourselves. May our reactions, words, and everything in our lives point to You.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 – Ephesians 5:1-2

I’ve Been Watching You, Dad

I’m just going to come out and say this: I like country music. There’s a song by Rodney Atkins called “Watching You” that I’ve loved for years, but more so since I became a father to a little boy in October of 2014. Ok, maybe he wasn’t so little since he was born weighing 10 lbs. 13 oz., but he was still my little boy.

Each verse of “Watching You” ends with a question to the artist’s son. These questions are, “Son, now where’d you learn to talk like that?” and “Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?” And then the most powerful one comes near the end of the song when the artist sings, “With tears in my eyes, I wrapped him in a hug. Said, ‘My little bear is growing up.” And he said, “But when I’m big, I’ll still know what to do. ‘Cause I’ve been watching you, dad, ain’t that cool? I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you. And eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are. Then I’ll be as strong as Superman. We’ll be just alike, hey, won’t we, dad? When I can do everything you do. ‘Cause I’ve been watching you.”

When I hear this song, I think of how my son watches me, and wants to do everything I do, trying to be just like me. In fact, just the other day, he was standing behind the pulpit of our church’s outdoor sanctuary pretending to preach, like his daddy. That brought tears to my eyes, much like writing this devotion is doing right now.

The same is true for us. We are God’s children and we should strive to imitate Him, making Him our example and model. 1 Peter 1:15-16 tells us, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” This isn’t saying to think about, admire, or adore God – although those are all important. This is a call to practical action, going beyond our inner life with God.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the wonderful gift that is country music, and for speaking to me through this song. I pray it spoke – and will continue to speak – to my readers as well. Thank you that we can look to you as our role model, guide, and perfect example of how we are to live our lives in love.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Monday, May 18, 2020 – Ephesians 4:25-32

How to Stop the Sun

In light of the transformation the Apostle Paul discussed in Ephesians 4:22-24 – which I referred to as a spiritual superset here – we are to change what we think, say, and do. In today’s passage, Paul contrasts the old way of living with the new way of living by listing seventeen changes. One of these changes states, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” One time, when preaching on this passage, I told the following story I found online.

Sadly, this is how it is for us as well. Due to change being uncomfortable, we are often unwilling to let go of our old ways and embrace the new. God is constantly reminding us of how we are to be transformed in His Word, but sometimes we are too “busy” to read and study it.

Prayer:

Father, help us to accept change, no matter how difficult it is. Help us also to know that no matter the reason for change – whether it is something you are orchestrating, or it is something that simply happens – help us to know that you are walking with us through the change, often carrying us through. But no matter, what, Lord, please allow the change to bring us closer to you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Saturday, May 16, 2020 – Ephesians 4:17-24

Time to Hit the Gym

Paul starts off by painting a terrible picture of the Gentiles, but he ends it with hope by saying, “That, however, is not the way of life you learned…” He was essentially saying that the Gentiles were terrible people, but it’s a good thing that the Ephesian believers were not because it was not the way of life that they had learned. He then goes on to remind them of what they were taught by going through what I like to refer to as a superset. In weight lifting, a superset is when you perform one exercise immediately followed by one or two more with no rest in between. This shocks the muscles, allowing for maximum blood flow, which promotes better growth. This can be seen in a spiritual sense when Paul reminds us about putting off our old selves (verse 22), having our minds renewed (verse 23), and putting on our new selves (verse 24). This whole spiritual superset shows a transformation. We once didn’t know Jesus and did things our own way, then we encountered Jesus and He began to renew our minds, and then we began living a new way.

As you look back over the last year or so of your faith journey, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Although change and transformation may be slow, they come as you trust God to work in your life.

Allow God to transform you. I promise you that it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Prayer:

God, when it comes to physical exercise, we sometimes don’t want to do it. The same is true for this spiritual superset as well. If we’re being honest, we sometimes don’t like change, and the changes this passage implies are very big ones. So please help us to remember that you are in control and that you know what’s best for us. Help us to remember that you take us through changes because you are shaping, molding, and forming us into the image of your son. You are making us into a masterpiece. Thank you for that.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Friday, May 15, 2020 – Ephesians 4:14-16

You Can’t Build It Alone

Here, the Apostle Paul continues his thoughts on maturing in our faith by saying that when we have reached maturity, we will no longer be infants (i.e., spiritually immature) who are pushed around by the waves and the winds of ungodly teaching and people. When we have reached this level of spiritual maturity, Paul says we will speak the truth in love. Speaking the truth in love sounds simple, but many find it very hard to do. Some are fairly good at it but forget to be loving. Some are good at being loving but have difficulty being honest with others when the truth is painful. To build up the church, we need to both speak the truth, but do it in a loving manner.

Jesus’ grand design for the church is that we help each other grow and mature in our faith. When we join with Jesus, He forms us into a group united in purpose and in love for one another and for God. If one stumbles, the rest of the group picks that person up and helps him or her get back on their path with God again. Don’t try to live the Christian life alone. As part of the Body of Christ – the Church – you can reflect His character and carry out your special role in the work He has called the church to do.

Prayer:

Father, we ask that you would give us the desire and the passion to grow in our faith and to become more spiritually mature. Let us no longer be babies, but let us be the ones to whom others look for wisdom, advice, and spiritual guidance. Continue to fill us with your wisdom. Continue to use us to build your church and further your kingdom. Thank you for making us a vital part of your heavenly team.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Thursday, May 14, 2020 – Ephesians 4:11-13

Gifted to Love God and Love People

God has given His church an enormous responsibility – to make disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:18-20). To do this, He knew His children would need gifts and abilities in order to fulfill this calling. These are known as spiritual gifts and there are many of them. The list found here in verse eleven is not exhaustive, but these five were crucial to the establishment of the first generation of the church. Other spiritual gifts can be found in Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 7, 12, and 13; 1 Peter 4, 9, and 10; and Ephesians 3. God, through the Holy Spirit, has given each Christian a special gift – or multiple gifts – that should be used for building up the church.

Each of us have different gifts. You are able to do things well that I cannot. I am able to do things well that you cannot. But when we bring our giftedness together as the people of God, we are able to accomplish together what God has called us to do. Each of our gifts are important.

Think of the construction of a building that requires an architect, a project manager, a project coordinator, construction workers who specialize in different areas of construction – and I’m sure many other jobs that I am missing. What would the building look like if only the architect were involved? It would stay on paper, or as a three dimensional model on the computer. What would the building look like if only the plumbers were involved? It would only be a bunch of pipes sticking out of the ground. The point is that no one would be able to build an entire building on their own as effectively as if an entire team of people with different areas of expertise were building the building. The same is true of the church. What would the church look like if it only consisted of a receptionist, or an organist, or a drummer, or a preacher? If there were only one person with one job, you wouldn’t have a church. Just as a construction team needs others to get the project done, so do we need one another to build up the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Are you exercising the gifts God gave you to this end? If you know what your gifts are, look for opportunities to serve. If you don’t know what they are, ask God to show you, perhaps with the help of a church leader or Christian friends. Then, as you begin to recognize your special areas of service, use your gifts to strengthen and encourage the church. Use them to love God and love people.

Below are two spiritual gifts inventories you can take to begin the process of finding out how God has gifted you.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you that you have graciously given us our spiritual gifts, whether we know what they are yet or not. If we fall into the latter category, we ask that you would reveal to us in which ways you have gifted us. As we use these gifts to further your kingdom, please allow us to grow closer and closer to you so that we can become more and more like you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 – Ephesians 4:7-10

Always Already There

In yesterday’s devotion on Ephesians 4:3-6, we discussed the unity of the Body of Christ. In today’s passage, Paul switches his focus to the grace and gifts that Jesus has given to us. While this grace and these gifts are needed for many things, I believe Paul could be continuing his thought by saying that we will need God’s grace in order to live in unity with one another.

We see that these gifts are given not according to our worth, our need, or anything we have done, but according to what Jesus saw fit to give us. This means that we will all have different gifts, or different combinations of gifts but that Jesus knew what each of us would need to live out the calling that He has for our lives.

We also see in this passage that Jesus left heaven to descend to earth – to live among us, and to sacrifice Himself for us – and that he then left the earth to ascend higher than all the heavens so that He could fill the whole universe (verses 9-10). This tells us that we will never be in a place that Jesus has not filled with His presence.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for the grace you so freely give us and for the gifts that you bestow upon us to help us to love and serve others. Thank you that you are always already present in our lives.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!