Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Summary: “Me first” is a concept that goes back to the beginning of human history. It is the essence of our sinful nature rolled up into two words. Putting Christ first in our lives radically changes this concept, turning it upside down and inside out.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:21 – The Answer to Everything”—not as unwise but as wise
Summary: Wisdom is a word that describes a state of mind. We attribute wisdom to the things people do when they work out well. People who are careful how they live and keep their eyes on Christ do well.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15b – The Light of Christ”… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Summary: Why does it feel like “putting on” this “new self” is a lot of work? The answer, like so many things in life, depends on how you look at it. Looked at correctly, we are not doing any work at all. Instead we are honoring our King, Jesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:24 – Intro to Part II: All the Work”… created to be like God …
Summary: The idea of being like God can feel a little intoxicating … to the old self. To the new self, being like God is to be like Jesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:24b – Following Jesus”That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
Summary: With this passage, Paul shifts gears and leads us to his next main point.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:20-21 – The Bridge”… we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Summary: Today’s passage brings us to a place where we consider the body of Christ in a new light. If we are, in fact, the body of Jesus, what should we be doing?
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:15b – What Will Jesus Do?”… to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up …
Summary: Why does God provide leaders for the body of Christ? The answer is simple; to build up the body of Christ. The surprising part is that he needs us to help.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:12 – Body Builder”So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers …
Summary: The one thing all of the people Paul mentions have in common is leadership. Leaders, regardless of their specialty, share certain traits. Our meditation today is all about leadership.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:11 – Roadmap to Success”But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Summary: Words are important. The wrong word can lead us to the wrong understanding. In this mediation, we look at the word “apportioned” and examine how this word can affect our happiness in God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:7 – The Key to Happiness”Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Summary: The bond of peace is not to be taken for granted. We were given the gift of peace at great cost to our Creator. To keep it requires effort.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:3 – Unity & Peace”