Ephesians 5:1-33
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But 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. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For 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.[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for 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."
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Daily Devo XIX (a truth we already know)
Galatians 6:1-18
Doing Good to All
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[b] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Doing Good to All
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[b] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Daily Devo XVIII (no favorites)
When I think of all those Christians who have monetarily gained from their insight to God's word, I feel the urge to ask that they distribute that gain which God has given them to the Christians that diligently work the fields. The tough rocky fields in which we toll do not yield much but this is the parcel of land in which God has told us to work. I think of Abraham and Lot. I remember God plays no favorites (Galatians 2:1-16)
What is the purpose of going on?
Why continue to work the fields that yield little?
Is the call that our Redeemer has called us to?
God shows me unfailing love!
How can I not live that out in my life and show His love to those around me!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Daily Devo XVII(stop trusting)
the adage "Lean not on your own understanding"
Isaiah 2:22
"Do not buy what you can't afford"
Proverbs 22:26-27
Isaiah 2:22
"Do not buy what you can't afford"
Proverbs 22:26-27
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Daily Devo XVI (familar)
Song of Solomon 2:4
He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love
II Corinthians 8:16-17
I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
9:6
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Read II Corinthians 9:10-15
Psalm 51:10
create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love
II Corinthians 8:16-17
I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
9:6
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Read II Corinthians 9:10-15
Psalm 51:10
create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Daily Devo XVI (Finish the Work!)
II Corinthians 8:1-15
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little
Friday, September 3, 2010
Daily devo XV (snippets)
a kernel of wisdom
a glimpse into God's infinite wisdom
Life is not the "$10,000 pyramid" game show
II Corinthians 6:2c
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Ecclesiastes 5:2, 6:11
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few
The more the words , the less the meaning
and how does that profit anyone
--
I do not know how many times I have spoken when I wish I had been silent
the Proverb goes like this
'a wise man speaks little and others thinks he is wise
a foolish man opens up his mouth removing all doubt
a glimpse into God's infinite wisdom
Life is not the "$10,000 pyramid" game show
II Corinthians 6:2c
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Ecclesiastes 5:2, 6:11
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few
The more the words , the less the meaning
and how does that profit anyone
--
I do not know how many times I have spoken when I wish I had been silent
the Proverb goes like this
'a wise man speaks little and others thinks he is wise
a foolish man opens up his mouth removing all doubt
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Daily Devo XIV (for the sake of Christ)
II Corinthians 5:11-21
Ecclesiastes 1:1 - 2:11
II Corinthians 6:1-13
Psalm 46:1-11
Ecclesiastes 1:1 - 2:11
II Corinthians 6:1-13
Psalm 46:1-11
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Daily Devo XIII (Father / son )
Today is a small departure from the last couple entries because I left the Bible in the car.
Today is a similar road I have traveled on.
Reaching out to my son in trying to establish a positive Father/Son relationship.
State Fair and the show-stopping Weird Al Yankovic, son of Frank.
I am not a fan of Polka but some of those songs are catchy.
I do like Weird Al but don't tell my son how much.
The cool fact of Weird Al is that the drummer is suppose to be the same drummer in Apolegetix, (Christian music spoof artists.
I hope I will receive enough money from recycle to enjoy the fair.
I hope our seats are nice to enjoy the show.
I love my son and I hope he continues to talk to me about the things in his life and the stuff that makes him feel good and feel bad.
Thank you God for the gift of Fatherhood.
Your son, George
Today is a similar road I have traveled on.
Reaching out to my son in trying to establish a positive Father/Son relationship.
State Fair and the show-stopping Weird Al Yankovic, son of Frank.
I am not a fan of Polka but some of those songs are catchy.
I do like Weird Al but don't tell my son how much.
The cool fact of Weird Al is that the drummer is suppose to be the same drummer in Apolegetix, (Christian music spoof artists.
I hope I will receive enough money from recycle to enjoy the fair.
I hope our seats are nice to enjoy the show.
I love my son and I hope he continues to talk to me about the things in his life and the stuff that makes him feel good and feel bad.
Thank you God for the gift of Fatherhood.
Your son, George
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