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The Tyranny of the Urgent Psalms 1:1-3

  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers (Psalms 1:1-3 NAS95). I like what Matthew Henry says about this passage. “To meditate in God's word is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought. We must have constant regard to the word of God as the rule of our actions and the spring of our comforts, and have it in our thoughts night and day. For this purpose, no time is amiss.” The devil often attacks believers through false teachers and doctrinal errors; however, another effective tactic is when he whispers to us that there is no urgency. The psalmist reminds ...
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Pray for Evangelistic Opportunities Ephesians 6:18-20

  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak (Ephesians 6:18-20 NAS95). Having put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), we are able by God’s power to stand against what the devil might throw at us. Being able to stand allows us to use the Word of God, our sword, offensively. To do so will require much prayer. How often do you pray for God to open up doors so that you might share the Gospel? Paul, who by any account was prolific in sharing the Gospel, asked for prayer. He needed God to do three things. He needed opportunity, boldness, and faithfulness. He needed opportunity, divine appointments to share. Sometimes, it is d...
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Our Armor (Part Two) Ephesians 6:10-17

  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-17 NAS95). Paul uses the imagery of a Roman soldier’s protective gea...
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The Armor of God (Part One Our Enemy) Ephesians 6:10-17

  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-17 NAS95). Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God, beca...
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Serve with Sencerity of Heart Ephesians 6:5-9

  Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him (Ephesians 6:5-9 NAS95). Slavery was a way of life at the time Paul wrote this passage. Thankfully, slavery has been mostly rooted out by the influence of Christianity. I say mostly because we hear of the horrors of human trafficking today. However, let us leave the concept of real slavery and speak to the current application of this passage. Whether you are a worker [slave] or a boss [master], you are comm...
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An Important Thought About Discipling Children Ephesians 6:1-4

  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4 NAS95). I recently visited my son and his family. It did my heart good to hear his friends tell me that my son spoke very highly of his parents. Nevertheless, I can tell you there were many mistakes along the way. Fortunately, we serve a gracious and loving God who turns our mistakes around for good. Parenting is one of the hardest things to balance. On the one hand, you want to provide your children with the things you wish you had when you were growing up. On the other hand, giving them too much will spoil them. Then there is the discipline issue. Men tend to be too harsh. Hence, the instruction is not to provoke your children to anger. Not p...
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Husbands and Wives

  Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. Thi...
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Be Proactive Ephesians 5:15-21

  Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:15-21 NAS95). Having been warned about the deceptiveness of sins and those who would seek to weigh you down with their evil deeds (Eph 5:3-14), Paul now gives us some proactive advice. Namely, he writes, “Be careful how you walk.” He wants us to walk as wise men. That means making good choices. He mentions excessive alcohol consumption as one bad choice. However, this is likely not the only area where a Christian might choos...
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Let Your Light Shine Ephesians 5:11-13

  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light (Ephesians 5:11-13 NAS95). "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God"   (John 3:19-21 NAS95). Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way t...
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Do Not Partake in Darkness

  For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord (Eph 5:5-10 NAS95). Paul warns us not to be deceived. Worldly individuals bound up in sin want to bring you down to their level. Do you remember how Paul described their behavior in the Book of Romans? For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not...
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You Have a Reputation

  But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks (Eph 5:3-4 NAS95). As a believer, you have a reputation to maintain. You represent Christ to the world, whether good or bad. If you call yourself a Christian, know that the world will seek to find fault with Christ through you.  It is cringeworthy to hear coarse language coming from someone who names the name of Christ. I knew a man who was part of the Church, who actually got into a physical altercation at a church sporting event. That incident was heralded far and wide. It was a terrible testimony, the kind the devil likes to exploit. This should never be heard of among the saints of God. Remember, and do not give the devil an opportunity (Eph 4:27 NAS95). It’s not wrong for believers to enjoy sports. But you should be aware that sporting events may elicit...
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Walk in Love

  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Eph 5:1-2 NAS95). Having instructed the Ephesians to walk in their new life, Paul now gives them the motivation that makes that possible. He tells them to walk in love. We are to imitate Christ’s love, a sacrificial love. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us (1Jn 4:16-19 NAS95). If you can learn to trust in God’s love for you, you will have no problem imitating His love. Once...
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Do the Opposite

  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Eph 4:28-32 NKJV). One way to live your new life in Christ is to do the opposite of your old life. Combat the flesh with reverse behavior. If you used to steal, give. If you were abusive with your mouth, learn to edify others with your speech. If you were full of malice, practice being kindhearted. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but follow His promptings to live a holy life. Instead of trying to stop doing the sin...
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Do Not Give Place to the Devil

Do Not Give Place to the Devil   Therefore, putting away lying, "LET EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR," for we are members of one another. "BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil (Eph 4:25-27 NKJV). Beloved of God, do not give place to the devil. Creating situations that open the door to our adversary is a dangerous practice. Lying often begins a cascade of sin. One lie is covered up with another, and so on. So-called white lies are lies justified by reason masquerading as good. These cracks will soon become gaping holes if not closed. The devil knows how to use lies against us. After all, he is the father of lies. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter (Isa 5:20 NKJV). An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue (Pro 17:4 NKJV). Liars are often angry....
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Called to a New Walk

  This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness (Eph 4:17-19 NKJV). Those outside of Christ have their minds darkened. Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2Co 4:4 NKJV). Thankfully, that is not you if you have truly repented and believe in Christ by faith. So, why, if you have been set free from the dominion of sin, do you continue in sin? Unfortunately, having been set free from the dominion of sin does not remove the law of sin in our flesh. Paul wrote, For we know that the law is spiritual, but I...
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Are You Doing Your Part?

  But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Now this, "HE ASCENDED"—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up...
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Walk Worthy of Your Calling

  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph 4:1-6 NKJV). When Scripture is attacked, Christ’s deity is challenged, or the concept of salvation by grace through faith is debated, we must remain steadfast in our beliefs. These are the types of core issues that demand church discipline and or separation.  Unfortunately, there have been many church feuds over things not essential to the faith. It is particularly sad to see church members fighting over personal matters unrelated to doctrine. Some have even reported church splits over the color of the auditorium ca...
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He Is Able

  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Eph 3:20-21 NKJV). To further encourage the believers at Ephasis to trust God with their prayers, Paul magnifies God’s endless power to answer. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Of course, God can’t do anything that would go against His nature, but beyond that, there is no limit to His power. Interestingly, though, Paul does put a condition upon his statement. That condition is according to the power that works in us. Is Paul referring to God’s power in and of itself, or is he referring to that power limited by the amount that is working in us?  God is omnipotent. However, if Paul is referring to the amount of power limited by our spiritual condition, we would do well not to grieve the Holy Spirit, who is the power of God in us. ...
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Face Tribulations with Prayer

  For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph 3:14-19 NKJV). Paul was concerned that the believers in Ephesus would be discouraged seeing Paul’s tribulations.  So, he says to them, I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory (Eph 3:13b NKJV). Then, he prays for them. Paul prays that they would be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. Tribulations create stress and worry. He asks the Father to fill their heart...
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You Are on Display

  Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:19-22 NKJV). The Taj-Mahal is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. It took approximately 20 years and 20,000 artisans to complete its white marble structure. While many marvel at its beauty, it is just a mausoleum for the dead. Do you realize, dear Christian, that you are a part of a far greater and more beautiful structure?  You are part of God’s temple.  Do you also realize that you are always on display? We would do well to ask ourselves, “What do people see when they look at my life?” Do others see you like the gleaming white marble...
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Make No Distinctions

  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father (Eph 2:14-18 NKJV). Jew and Gentile were brought near by the blood of Christ. The law was satisfied in Christ, He being without sin, yet punished on sinners' behalf. All believers have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. So, let us not make distinctions between ourselves. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joi...
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Hope for the Hopeless

  Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:11-13 NKJV). Without Christ’s intervention, we would be completely consumed by our sin. Seeking to escape the piercing gaze of a Holy God, we would do our best to eradicate the thought of God from our minds. Such rebellion leads to a depraved mind (Romans 1:18-32). Thanks be unto God for Christ’s substitutionary death. We were without hope, bound up in darkness, children of wrath. However, God made a way. Christ became our sin bearer. He paid the debt we could not pay.  Let us not forget our former disposition. We did not love God. We did not want to s...
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