"Take It Up, Put It On"

December 31, 2014

“Take It Up, Put It On”

Blessings folk!

Have you been standing firm in the Lord this year?
What about the upcoming year?

We are told to stand firm...to do so by taking up the full armor of God.
Read the following.
What is the armor of God?

Ephesians 6:14-20
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.


The Armor of God in which we are to stand…

Belt of Truth - we are to fasten it on
Breastplate of Righteousness - we are to put it on
Gospel of Peace - we are to shod our feet with readiness
Shield of Faith - we are to take it up...in all circumstances
Helmet of Salvation - we are to take it up
Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God...we are to take it up

This is the Armor of God in which we live...in which we stand firm.
“Strength” in any other way is deceptive.

Later we will look at the instructions related to the Amor.
For now, daily put on the Armor of God.

Watch what the Lord does.

"Stand Firm"

December 30, 2014

“Stand Firm”

Blessings folk!

A Word worthy of reminder at the end of a year and the beginning of a new year.

We have seen that we are to:
  • be strong in the Lord...in the strength of His might
  • put on the full armor of God
  • stand firm against the schemes of the devil

The “stand firm” commandment is repeated.

Ephesians 6:13
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 
Stand therefore,...


Verse 11 tells us to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand firm.

It is only in the preparation and provision of the Lord that we can stand firm against the evil one.
We cannot stand firm in anything else.

Verse 13 tell us to stand firm…

  • after having done all
  • after taking up the whole armor of God

It is the armor of God...the whole armor of God… that enables us to withstand in the evil day. Tragically, most of the Body of Christ “picks and chooses” the portion of the armor that they “believe in”. We are thereby exposed to the strategies of the evil one.

Notice that we are to “withstand”.
Often folk think that if we are “in the armor of God”, then there will no evil against us, no problems, etc.
Not true.
In taking up the armor of God we are able to withstand, to stand firm.
Regardless of what comes our way.

Verse 14 begins with “stand therefore…”
We will see the balance of the thought later.

For today, we are called to stand firm in the Lord’s armor and the might of His power.

Are we?


"Put On..."

December 29, 2014

“Put On…”

Blessings folk!

Read and give heed to the commands of the Lord.
Note why?
Note the reality of life.

Ephesians 6:11-13
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places


The commands:

  1. Be strong in the Lord
  2. Put on the full armor of God
  3. Stand firm

As we have seen previously, we are to be strong in the Lord and His strength.
Not in our strength.

We are to put on the full armor of God.
There are some things to be inferred from this.
Apparently one can be a Believer, yet not be fully “armored”.
We have a responsibility to “put on this armor”… I believe continually.
It is God Who equips and protects.
We choose whether to walk in the “putting on” or not.

Why do we need to put on the armor of God? (We will see more later as to what the “armor” is.)
So that we might be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

The devil has a scheme...a strategy...to cause harm to each.
Often it is generational. Some “successful” in previous generations will carry through to the current.
Living in the full armor of the Lord will enable us to stand firm against this scheme.
Not necessarily to avoid the scheme...but to stand firm against it.

We see what the true struggle is.
Not against flesh and blood.
But, against rulers, power, world forces of this present darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This is where the battle occurs.

Sadly, most Believers do not believe this is true.
They do not believe in spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
If they do believe, then they do not discern what is occurring.
Their lives deny belief.

I see it constantly in the Body of Christ.
Folk, are totally unaware of the source of the battle.
They are deceived as to what is really happening in their lives.
They respond in the flesh, thereby denying the power the Lord gives to stand firm.

Seek the Lord.
Be strong in Him.
Stand firm.
Know what the true battle is.
As a True Believe, we are victorious.
Appropriate the Victory.
Manifest the Victory.
The world will be drawn to the Lord through such.

"Power"

December 28, 2014

“Power”

Blessings folk!

In the short letter that we call “Ephesians” the Spirit has revealed who we are in the Lord and has given instruction on how we are to live with OneAnother.


Now...the closing.
Give heed to what is addressed “finally”.

Ephesians 6:10
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.


We are instructed to be strong in the Lord.
Not the strength of man.
Not the strength of our ability.
Not in what we can do “for” the Lord.
Strong in the Lord.

It is in the “strength of His might”/”the power of His might” that we are to live.
Believers without power are ineffective within the Kingdom.
Subsequent verses will give more insight as to the context the Spirit has in mind.

For now, remember what Paul said…

1 Corinthians 2:3-5
3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.


Paul’s “message and preaching” were not in persuasive words of wisdom.
May we be spared any more “persuasive words of wisdom” of man in preaching and teaching. Such is nothing more than a cascade of religious babbling which leads people away from the Truth.

May we speak forth the Truth of the Lord.
May our lives be demonstrations of the Spirit and of Power.
May our faith not be built upon the wisdom of men.
May we rest not in our ability.
May our faith rest on the power of God.

The Word.
The Spirit.
The Power.
Be strong in them.



"Masters..."

December 27, 2014

“Masters…”

Blessings folk!

A Word to masters...bosses...those “in charge”…

Ephesians 6:9
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.


Masters/Bosses are not be threatening.
Threatening in demeanor.
Threatening in deed.

The Lord is Master of both bosses and employees/slaves.
He is speaking to Master/slaves who are both believers.

We are to remember this.

There is not partiality with the Lord.

We are to honor one another in the roles in the which the Lord has placed us.

"As Per the Law..."

December 26, 2014

“As Per the Law…”

Blessings folk!

Jesus’ mother and earthly father, Mary and Joseph, adhered to the Law of the Lord.

Read and note...

Luke 2:21-24
21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord&rdquoWinking,
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

As per the Law, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day.
As per the Law, the days of purification were honored...according to the law of Moses. (This would be purification of Mary post-birth.)
As per the Law, Jesus, as the firstborn male that opened the womb, was presented to the Lord. He was to be holy to the Lord.

Interesting, the Lord is holy to the Lord.

As per the Law, a sacrifice was involved.

Joseph and Mary obeyed the Word of the Lord.

We must do likewise...especially in raising our children.

"May We..."

December 25, 2014

“May We…”

Blessed Christmas to all!

As we rejoice in His first Parousia…
As we anticipate His second…

May we…

  • be obedient as Joseph...who followed the guidance of the Lord’s dreams

  • ponder the wonder and treasure as Mary did

Luke 2:19
19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

  • give glory to God as the angels
Luke 2:14
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”


  • declare to all as the shepherds…

Luke 2:20
20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.


  • understand as Simeon did that Jesus is the Revelation to the Gentiles, the glory of Israel

Luke 2:32
32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”


  • give thanks to God as Anna did...speak of Him to all…

Luke 2:38
38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.


  • know, that as evil was manifest in Herod and the killing of the little boys, even worse will occur prior to the Lord’s return...yet, fear not!

Matthew 24:21-22
21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

  • seek Him/worship Him as the Maji
Matthew 2:2
2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.


  • remember, reflect, rejoice in the truth that Jesus came as a Babe...crying...that He died as Suffering Servant...crying...but, He will return soon-and-very-soon as Victorious King.

Revelation 19:11-13
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.


Are you ready?

"Covenant...Christmas..."

December 24, 2014

“Covenant...Christmas…”

Blessings folk!

It is Christmas eve.
The day before we celebrate the coming of the Lord...the first time.

The Lord did not command/instruct us to celebrate His first coming on any particular day. We do well to celebrate with every breath.

Something a little different today.

I encountered the linked article below this morning.
It is a good synopsis of the fact that God is a “Covenant Making, Covenant Keeping” God. Without this understanding, one cannot understand why God does what He does.

Read the article.
It is a blessing.

http://www.redstate.com/2014/12/23/to-understand-the-beginning-of-the-end-you-must-understand-the-end-of-the-beginning/






"Whether Bondservant or Free..."

December 23, 2014

“Whether Bondservant or Free…”

Blessings folk!

It is our attitude that the Lord is addressing.

Do we live as bondservants of Christ?
Do we seek the will of God?
Do we obey “earthly masters” with fear, trembling, a sincere heart...as we obey Christ?
Do we obey Christ in this way?

Ephesians 6:5-8
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart,
as you would Christ,
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.


It is a heart issue.

We must do the will of God from the heart.
We must render service from the heart of God...where He has placed us.
We do so “as to the Lord”.
Not as to man.

Doing good in the Lord will receive fruit from the Lord.
Think on that.
Often, folk seek to do good in anticipation of good that they will receive from the Lord.
This is a wrong heart.

Therefore, whether we are slave/bondservants/servants or free, we are to obey and live in the heart of the Lord.

Yes, we often will not understand all.
But, the Lord does.

Rest and rejoice this!

"Slaves/Bondservants/Servants"

December 22, 2014

“Slaves/Bondservants/Servants”

Blessings folk!

The Lord continues to instruct us on how we are to relate to one another.

Ephesians 6:5-8
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart,
as you would Christ,
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord,whether he is a bondservant or is free.


Different translations communicate the first word in varied ways: slave/bondservant/servant.

Each carries specific connotation.

Often, we think that this passage does not apply to our culture.
We believe that none are slaves.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
“There is no greater slave than he who thinks he is free…”

Slaves...those forced into their situation…
Bondservants...those who make a conscience decision to place themselves in servitude…
Servants...those employed for such…

All are to act the same way.

They are to…

  • obey earthly masters
  • obey masters with fear and trembling
  • obey masters with a sincere heart
  • obey in the same way one obey’s Christ
  • obey, not by eye-service...just when someone is watching, just to be a people-pleaser
  • obey a bondservants of Christ

Doing the will of God.

More later, but for now...did you notice that we are bondservants of Christ?


"Fathers..."

December 21, 2014

“Fathers…”

Blessings folks!

A Word to the Fathers…
Something “not to do”…
Two things “to do”...

Ephesians 6:4
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger.
Far too much “provoking” goes on “in the name of the Lord”. I can recount story after story of provocation. Often, it is done under the guise of discipline/instruction, but nothing could be further from the truth. A true heart of Father will not provoke. He will not cause a child to anger.

Then, a commandment…
Fathers, bring your children up in the discipline of the Lord.
Bring your children up in the instruction of the Lord.

The Proverbs provide many examples of discipline and instruction in the Lord.
Not discipline and instruction of Man.
In the Lord.

Learn the Lord’s way.
Live the Lords’ way.


"Children..."

December 20, 2014

“Children…”

Blessings folk!

The Lord continues to instruct us in how we are to live together.

Children…

Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”


Children are to obey their “parents in the Lord”.
An interesting phrase.
What does it mean?

Children are to obey their parents.
This does not mean that children must do something that goes against the Lord if the parents demand it.
No.
As parents lead in the Lord, children are to obey.
This is right.

Children are to also honor their parents.
Note, there is no “age limit”.
Parents are always parents.
We are to honor and love all the days of life.

Length of life is overtly associated with honoring parents.
Also, quality of life...that it may go well with you.

Therefore, children obey and honor your parents in the Lord.

This is pleasing to the Lord.

"In the Same Way..."

December 19, 2014

“In the Same Way…”

Blessings folk!

In the same way that Christ loves the Church…
Husbands are to love their wives.

Ephesians 5:28-33
28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
30 because we are members of his body.
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.


The Lord is speaking of several things here...all in one subject.

Each husband is to love his wife as he loves himself.
Each wife is to see to it that she respect her husband.

Each husband is to nourish and cherish his own flesh...his wife.
Christ does so with the church and is the example for us.

The Lord quotes Genesis 1…”therefore a man shall leave his father and mother…”
The man is to leave.
The man is to hold fast to his wife.
The man initiates the two becoming one.

These things are a mystery.
Profound.
The two as one.
Christ and the church.
Husbands loving.
Wives respecting.

Seek the Lord.
Allow Him to speak...

"Husbands..."

December 18, 2014

“Husbands…”

Blessings folk!

Now, husbands.
Listen.
Note the command given to husbands.


Ephesians 5:22-24
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.


Husbands are instructed/commanded to love their wives.
An interesting observation...wives are never told to love their husbands.
Wives are told to submit to husbands.
I believe this has to do with how we are created by the Lord.
Wives will love...especially if their husbands love.
Wives do not have to “be told”.

Husbands are forthrightly told to love.
Then, we are told how.
We are to love our wives in the same manner that Christ loved the church.
Christ gave Himself up for the church...we are to do likewise for our wives.
Christ sanctified the church…
Christ cleansed the church by the washing of water with the Word…
Christ presented the church to Himself in splendor...without spot or wrinkle, etc.
Christ did so so that the church might be holy and without blemish.

Husbands are to do likewise with the wives.

There is great clarity with these instructions.
There is also a level of mystery.

Seek the Lord as to what He is saying to you...

"Wives..."

December 17 , 2014

“Wives…”

Blessings folk!

The Lord is showing us how to live together...
  • addressing one another is psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
  • giving thanks
  • submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ

Now, the Lord deals with specific relationships…

Ephesians 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.


Wives are instructed to submit to their own husbands.
Not someone else’s husband.
Their own husband.
Wives are to submit in the same manner that they do unto the Lord.

Why?

It is the governmental structure of the family as designed by God.

The husband is head of the wife...even as Christ is the head of the church.

In the same way that the church submits to Christ, wives are to submit to their husband in everything.

Again, this is not a “cave-man” mentality. We will see more later when the Lord instructs the husband.

Know this.

There is vast power in the God-fearing, submissive wife.

Much favor is found with God.




"Address..."

December 16, 2014

“Address…”

Blessings folk!

One last look…

Ephesians 5:17-21
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.


The Lord gives us details understanding how we as Believers are to live with each other. How we are to treat one another.

We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are to give thanks always for everything.
We are to thank God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are to address one another...how?
What does it mean to address one another in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing, making melody to the Lord with your heart?

I believe that we are being instructed to speak the Word of the Lord...to speak the Word itself...to use the Word in speaking to one another.

How different would conversation be, if we spoke only the Word of the Lord?




"Submit..."

December 15, 2014

“Submit…”

Blessings folk!

Read again...

Ephesians 5:17-21
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.


Much is made of the word “submit”.
Many within the Body of Christ reject the teachings of the Word.
More pervert the teaching of the Word.

Yes.
Wives are to submit themselves to their husband “as unto the Lord.” (We will see this soon). But, this is not a “cave-man” mentality of male dominance.

Yes.
The body of Christ is to submit to leadership.
But, this is not a carte-blanche that occurs today.
Far too many simply expect blind subservience due their position.

Rare does one hear teaching/preaching on Ephesians 5:21.

We are to submit to one another.
Each and every portion of the Body of Christ is to live in love-honoring submission to one another.
We do this out of reverence for Christ realizing that He is the One Who has designed and gifted each.
This submission would enable the Lord-designed functionality of the Body to manifest His Power and Presence.

Gone would be…

  • anger
  • bitterness
  • resentment
  • jealousy
  • powerlessness
  • greed
  • avarice
  • fear
  • complacentcy
  • etc. etc.

We would see the mutual dependency upon OneAnother and the Spirit in Love.

This is the design of the Lord.

Let us live such.

"We Are..."

December 14, 2014

“We Are…”

Blessings folk!

Now, give heed to how we are to live…

Ephesians 5:17-21
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.


We are not to be foolish.
We are to understand the will of the Lord.

We are not to get drunk with wine.
We are to be filled with the Spirit..

We are to address one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
We are to make melody to the Lord with our hearts.
We are to give thanks always in for everything.
We are to give thanks to God the Father in the name of the our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The “issues” of the “church” would fall by the way if we were to do this.
Submit to one another...out of reverence for Christ.
Address/exhort/encourage one another with psalms, hymns, spiritual song.
Sing and make melody to the Lord.
Give thanks always for everything.

Do it.

"Be Filled..."

December 13, 2014

“Be Filled…”

Blessings folk!

Do not be foolish.
Understand the will of the Lord.

Now, let us spend the next couple of days with what is stated beginning with “and”...

Ephesians 5:17-21
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.


You saw the next instruction.
“And”...ties it to the previous discussion.
Do not get drunk with wine.
Such is debauchery.
Drunkenness will lead away from the will of the Lord.
The Lord’s will is not found in excess of wine, nor food...nor anything.

Many are the fellow believers who readily quote the “do not get drunk”...and they do well in doing so. Yet, they leave out the next part of the verse.
Be filled with the Spirit.

There is a curious juxtaposition that the Spirit lead Paul to write.

Drunk with wine will quench the Spirit.
Yet, soberness alone is not enough.

One can be sober and totally powerless.
Most are.

We are to literally be filled with the Spirit.
We are to seek to be filled with the Spirit.

Determine to do so today.

Did you see the other commands?
We will look at them later...but give heed today…

  • address one another...how?
  • give thanks...when? how? to Whom?
  • submit...to whom? why?

If we were simply to live out these things…the Body Life of the Kingdom of God would shine brilliantly...just as God desires.

Quench not the Spirit.

"Be Not Foolish..."

December 12, 2014

“Be Not Foolish…”

Blessings folk!

Another command...actually two.

Ephesians 5:17
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.


Therefore.
Have you seen how important it is to read the Word in the context of the moment.
We must understand what is being said in the close context, then in the context of the total Word.
So much confusion would be avoided if we did such.

Command 1
Do not be foolish.
Make the best use of the time, for the days are evil.
Be wise.
Be careful how you walk.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.

Command 2
Understand what the will of the Lord is.
A corollary of the first command.
The “will of the Lord” is knowable.
Often it is not “what we think”.
Folk usually associate it around “what does the Lord want me to do”.
Yes. This is true.
But, if we do what the Lord instructs, then we will be in the pattern of life of abiding in Him…John 15.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


So…
Be not foolish.
Understand the will of God in Christ Jesus for you…

  • Rejoice always
  • Pray without ceasing
  • Give thanks in all circumstances.

Do this, and the will of God will be known.




"Make the Best Use of the Time..."

December 11, 2014

“Make the Best Use of the Time…”

Blessings folk!

A recapitulation of a previous instruction, with practical commandment...

Ephesians 5:15-16
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.


We, True Believers, must be careful in how we walk…
Walk in light, not in darkness.
Walk in good deeds, not the unfruitful deeds of darkness
Walk in the wisdom of the Lord.
Etc. Etc.

One practical aspect of walking in wisdom is given.
Make the best use of the time.

We are called to make use of this very moment.
The past is past.
The next breath may not come.
Now is the time to walk.
Now is the time of obedience.
Now is the only time in life.
Not the past.
Not the future.
Now.

Why?

Because the days are evil.
Evil is increasing...as the Lord has prophesied.

We are called to be the Light of the world.
We are called to expose the deeds of darkness.

This is to be done now.

Are we making the best use of the time?

Take the question before the Lord.
Listen to what He reveals.
Pay attention.

What is draining time from your life?
What is not of the Lord?
Give close attention to “good things”.
“Good things” often keep us from being obedient to the true calling of the Lord.

Make the best use of the time the Lord has granted.
Redeem the time.

The days are His.

"Awake..."

December 10, 2014

“Awake…”

Blessings folk!

Several years ago I was befriended by an employee of a local Christian book store.
He was also a pastor.

Whenever I would visit the store, he and I would spend much time rejoicing in the Truths of the Kingdom of God.

On one of these visits he told me something that shocked me.

He read the book of Ephesians every day.
The complete book.
Every day.
He had done so for years.

I now understand why.
I hope you do.

We saw yesterday that we…
  • are to take no part in deeds of darkness
  • expose deeds of darkness

Ephesians 5:13-14
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,     and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

By being/living as Light we expose darkness.
We are not to hide the Light.

The Light will automatically expose by bringing forth revelation.

Paul uses an Old Testament passage for interpretation.

Awake of sleeper...do not sleep through, do not pretend that darkness does not exist.
Arise from dead...do not act “as dead”...that we have no role or responsibility.
Allow Christ to shine on you...through you...to the praise of the glory of His grace.

The Lord desires to shine through every True Believer.
Do not resist.
Do not quench Him.

Then, watch what He does.

"Works of Darkness"

December 9, 2014

“Works of Darkness”

Blessings folk!!

Another two-part command.

Ephesians 5:11-12
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.


We, True Believers, are to take no part...none...in the unfruitful works of darkness.
None of the works for immorality, impurity, covetousness, idolatry and the like.

So, we are not to participate in the work of darkness.
It is shameful to speak of the things they do in secret.

Then, the next part.

Expose them.

We hear much about not doing deeds of darkness. Good.
But, it is rare to hear teaching/preaching related to our responsibility to expose the works of darkness.

We are called as the Light of the world to expose the deeds of darkness.

Therefore…
Take no part in deeds of darkness.
Expose them.

Be bold and take courage in the power of the Lord.
It time for the Body of Christ to boldly live.

"Discern..."

December 8, 2014

“Discern…”

Blessings folk!

“Therefore…”
In the context of what has been revealed to this point...

Ephesians 5:7-10
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.



We were once in darkness.
But, now we are in light...in the Light of the Lord.
More than that...we “are light in the Lord.”

We are to walk as children of light.
Light has the fruit of good, right, truth.

We are not to become partakers “with them”.
Those that had been mentioned previously...the sexually immoral, impure, covetousness, idolaters...sinners.

We are to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Therefore, today…
Do not be partners with sinners.
Walk in the light of the Lord.
Discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Shine as the Light that you are.

He will guide.
He will direct.
He will empower.
He will shine.

"Let No One Deceive You..."

December 7, 2014

“Let No One Deceive You…”

Blessings folk!

We now encounter a serious command.

Ephesians 5:6
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.


Let no one deceive you...especially with empty words.

Jesus says the same type of thing in Matthew 24.

We have a role.
We have responsibility to see to it that we are not deceived.
Empty words are a major source of deception.
I hear it constantly.
From conversations…
From pulpits…
From the media…

The “empty words” are related to something specific in the current context…”these things”.
The things we have seen earlier...impurity, sexual immorality, covetousness, idolatry, etc.

The “empty words” of today speak of inheriting the Kingdom while involved in such as a pattern of life.

This is deception.
This is lie.
Empty words.
No truth.
No power.

The wrath of God comes against such.
The wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Do not be deceived.

"You May Be Sure of This..."

December 6, 2014

“You May Be Sure of This…”

Blessings folk!

Imitate God.
Walk in love.
No immorality.
No impurity.
No covetousness.
No filthiness.
No foolish talk.
No crude joking.

The Word is very clear.
This is how True Believers are to live.

Ephesians 5:5
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


We can be certain.
Of what?
...no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
The Lord uses this phrase several times in the Word.
Sexually immoral or the impure…
The covetous...the idolater…
Has no inheritance in the Kingdom.

If the pattern and practice of behavior includes immorality, impurity, covetousness, lying (in another portion of the Word), lack of love for the brethren, holding resentment against the brethren, etc., then one is not of the Kingdom.
The Kingdom will not be inherited.

Our behavior is evidence of our relationship with God.
Be sure of this.

"Out of Place..."

December 5, 2014

“Out of Place…”

Blessings folk!

The Spirit continues to bring the corrective word/exhortation/encouragement/instruction/command to the Body at Ephesus...and to us...through the letter from Paul

Remember,
We are to imitate God.
We are to walk in love, as Christ loves us.
We are to not allow immorality, impurity or covetousness to be named among us.

Ephesians 5:4
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.


Our speech must not be filthy.
No foolish talk.
No crude joking.
These things are out of place with the character of the Lord.
Such does not imitate God.

Our speech should be seasoned with salt.

Colossians 4:5-6
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.


Our speech should always manifest grace.
We thereby will have an answer for every man.
Note that this is an important part of walking in wisdom, especially among those who are “without”...outside the Body.
Such redeems the time.

Time is passing.
There is none to waste.
Therefore, waste not a breath of speech/time on filthiness, foolishness, crude joking.

Rather, may we be vehicles of constant thanksgiving to the Most High.
Such is the True Believer...a Giver of Thanks.

"But..."

December 4, 2014

“But…”

Blessings folk!

We are to be imitators of God.
We are to walk in love, as Christ love us.

Then, “the word”… “But”…

The Spirit leads Paul to deal with some specifics sins…

Ephesians 5:3
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.


Sin is not to even be named among us.
It is not proper for the saints.
In this verse…specifically…

  • sexual immorality
  • impurity...all impurity
  • covetousness

Most will readily acquiesce to the immorality and impurity ban among the saints.

But, covetousness?

Covetousness is rampant within the professing Body.
Often it is forthright...greed and evil desire for something that someone else has.
Other times it is far more subtle.

There is more in the following verses.

For today...

Beware.
Be forewarned.
Covet not.
Be not impure.
Imitate God.
Walk in love.







"Walk In Love"

December 3, 2014

“Walk In Love”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw that as His Beloved children we are to imitate God.

Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.


Therefore, be imitators of God.
And walk in love.

We are imitating God when we walk in love.
Christ is the example of walking in love.
He gave Himself up for us.
He was/is a fragrant offering to God.
He was/is The Sacrifice to God.

So should our lives be.
Fragrant Offering to God...in love.
Sacrifice to God...in love.

Remember (again!), Jesus told us that the world will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another.

Imitate God.
Walk in love.

If one has not love…
If one holds resentment in their heart against another…
Then they are not of the Lord.
They are deceiving themselves.

Examine yourself to see if you be of the faith.

"Imitators of God..."

December 2, 2014

“Imitators of God…”

Blessings folk!!

We press on through Ephesians.

The next word in the Word is always a profound Word to which much attention must be given.
“Therefore…”
A term of conclusion.
An expression…”in light of…”, “in consideration of the previous…”
As the ole saying goes “when you see ‘therefore’, look to see what it is there for”.
Poor grammar.
Good point.

Ephesians 5:1
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.


We are told what to do.
Imitate God.
Think on that for a moment.
What does it mean?
The Lord tells us repeatedly to “be ye holy for I Am holy”.
We are be holy.
We are to live as the Lord directs.
We are to imitate Him.
Not others.
Not the world.
Not the old self.
We are to imitate the Most High God.

We are able to imitate because we are beloved children.
We, True Believers, are His offspring.
We are empowered by the very Presence of God in us...the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, we are called to allow Him to live out life through us.

This is how we imitate God.
We die to self.
We live in Him.

Anything else will fail.


"...Put Away...Be Kind..."

December 1, 2014

“...Put Away...Be Kind…”

Blessings folk!

Ephesians 4 concludes with another two-fold command/instruction.
Note what we are to do with sin.
Note the type of sin.
Then, note what we are to do as a pattern of life.

Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


Bitterness.
Wrath.
Anger.
Clamor.
Slander.
Malice.
All are to be put away from us.
All. Not just some.
Sadly these are found in abundance among those who profess the Lord.
Such should not be.
Put them away.
This does require action on our part.
It does suggest that these are always “at the door” (Genesis 4) desiring to harm us.
Let it all be put away.

Rather, put on the following.
Be:
Kind to one another.
Tenderhearted.
Forgiving one another...which means there will be opportunities that require forgiveness.
Forgive as God in Christ forgave us.
It is God that is the source of forgiving.
In Christ God forgave us.
In God, through Christ, we forgive one another.