Day 57
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called. Ephesians 4:1, 26
‘Do not give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27
These verses are connected. If we chase after God, if we seek first His Kingdom, if draw near to God, then the devil will flee from you, then all God’s blessing will be added to you and overflow, then we will lack nothing. Our calling gives us purpose. Attempting to walk worthy of our calling in Christ causes us to constantly depend on the Holy Spirit because of our very active flesh. It keeps us away from the vices of life, from pride, from bad company, from evil. Keeps us actively pursuing God, our Heavenly Father.
With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 MEV
This addresses the problems and issues we face daily in life. Like I always say, take the high moral road because we are a slave to righteousness. Forgive constantly, even if we are in the right, but don’t be a doormat. Be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Live as peaceably as you can. Remember that the British had a policy where they spread division among the princely states and conquered India, likewise, only through division does Satan conquer. He is powerless to do so when we are united with Jesus. Proverbs 18:1 NKJV A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. Seek and pray for humility, meekness, and patience, without which we will criticize others, especially when they are at fault, instead of bearing with one another in love, the unconditional love that God has for us.
He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so we may no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming. But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself, from whom the whole body is joined together and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively does its work and grows, building itself up in love. Ephesians 4:11-16 MEV
Every believe in Jesus Christ should understand and memorize these verses. The primary motivation that God has is His saving grace and love.
Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Ephesians 4:19 MEV
Do not ever be calloused. Never be hard hearted against the precepts ordained by God. This is a smooth highway of darkened understanding that leads to hell. We do not ever want to be disqualified, excluded from the life of God through our ignorance. Renew your mind in the word of God.
and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24 MEV
I say again, let the Holy Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes by using the Bible as a guide. Put on your new nature in Christ Jesus, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy. Amen. Psalm 68:19 NKJV Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need. Ephesians 4:28 MEV
This is a great principle to learn. As a Christian, we work to give and not to live. The Lord supplies all our needs and it is more blessed to give.
And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 MEV
How we want God to behave towards us is how we should behave to others. This again is a great principle. This required me to think and act according to the word of God.
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 MEV
The key word is sacrifice. Let our lives be a living sacrifice unto God.
And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks. For this you know, that no sexually immoral or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:3-5 MEV
This gravitational pull of the flesh that is not only not proper, but also denies us of any inheritance in God’s Kingdom, is the reason that the Apostle Paul exclaimed in Romans 7 about his wretchedness unless and until he, like all of us, as saints of God, renews his mind constantly in the Word of God. This is also the reason that in 2 Timothy 4:13 that he wanted his books and the parchments.
And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them. Ephesians 5:11 MEV
Exposing them, bringing them into light, why? Because darkness cannot comprehend or withstand the light. This principle is for life in general. On a personal level, 1 Jn 1:9 speaks to me regarding how God does not condemn darkness found in our being because of sin. Keep it real.
See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 MEV
Though failure does not define us, understand and change the habits and the sinful pattern that led to that, and have the wisdom of God as we navigate life because the days are evil.
Do not be drunk with wine, for that is reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 MEV
Both have Spiritual connotations and consequences. You decide. Rwsorting to alcohol makes us utterly unconcerned about the consequences of sin; without caution; careless of sin’s consequences, of missing entrance to the Kingdom of God. Remember Ghoul from the orientation session?
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 MEV
I have heard this applied to marriage, but never about Christ and the church. There is a lot to understand from this, and this mystery is revealed to those that seek Him.
Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10 MEV
After everything, including addressing wives, husbands and children, the apostle Paul says finally.
Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 MEV
First of all, pray!
Day 58
Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Philippians 1:1 MEV
Bondservants of Christ we are, but always remember that we are first and foremost God’s own children.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, that you may approve things that are excellent so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 MEV
To experience this kind of love for others is a blessing
Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. Philippians 1:24 MEV
Yes, there is much work to do. Onwards I must go, by faith in Christ, to reap the harvest, in ripe fields which others have sown, often times in sweat and tears, and sometimes in blood.
Do not be frightened by your adversaries. This is a sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and this from God. Philippians 1:28 MEV
No fear!
If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, then fulfill my joy and be like-minded, having the same love, being in unity with one mind. Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 MEV
To speak these words and mean them… Only the good work started by the Lord enables me to even want to declare these things, much more, be true in my life. This is what being Christ- like looks like.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 MEV
As we work out, God works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. Delight in Him.
Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may be blameless and harmless, sons of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15 MEV
This is a wise principle, but not for the stiff- necked or the stout- hearted. There is something about murmering, especially against the Lord, that makes Him angry. The solution that works for me is to meditate on all His wonderful work, both generally and in me. This makes me appreciative, thankful, and content.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me, and it is reassuring for you. Philippians 3:1 MEV
It is not easy to say this when you’re in pain, but reassure I must, those who doubt God’s unconditional love for us.
Watch out for dogs, watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who practice mutilation. Philippians 3:2 MEV
Have the stray dogs increased or is it just my imagination. Watch out!
But what things were gain to me, I have counted these things to be loss for the sake of Christ. Yes, certainly, I count everything as loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have forfeited the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God on the basis of faith, to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if somehow I might make it to the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:7-11 MEV
God willing, I’ll teach on this soon.
Not that I have already attained or have already been perfected, but I follow after it so that I may lay hold of that for which I was seized by Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12 MEV
I like the usage of the word seized in this translation. I am indeed seized by Christ Jesus.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 MEV
There is that word again. Peace.
There is a lot I could say about many other Scriptures, but I’ve to have much restraint for this project, this Bible reading plan. God willing, I’ll develop a format where comment upon comment can be added to each verse from the Bible. I’m open to suggestions.
Even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessity, not because I desired a gift, but I desire fruit that accumulates to your account. But I have everything and abound. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, like a sweet fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:16-19 MEV
This whole sentence gives context and meaning to God’s provision.