… so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Summary: Understanding who the devil is helps us understand his schemes and why we need to take a stand.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:11b – Soul Wars”Ephesians 6:8 – And Then He Smiled
… because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
Summary: Recasting life in terms of a prison sentence offers us the chance to see anew what Jesus did for us and what we can do for him.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:8 – And Then He Smiled”Ephesians 6:4 – The Curse of Free Will
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Summary: Being a father is a tall order. As humans, we are beset with many hurdles and distractions. Meanwhile, God is our spiritual Father. He is never too busy for you or me.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:4 – The Curse of Free Will”Ephesians 5:28a – Knowing Jesus
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.
Summary: Paul gives us husbands a lesson in caring for our wives.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:28a – Knowing Jesus”Ephesians 5:25b-26a – The Holy Within
… and gave himself up for her to make her holy,
Summary: Understanding spiritual matters is a challenge for all of us. We are all born of the flesh first, and born spiritually second. Learning to “see” spiritually is a skill, like learning to walk physically.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:25b-26a – The Holy Within”Ephesians 5:24 – Invitation to Love
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Summary: Paul uses the church as an example of unity, but in today’s world, that example leaves something to be desired.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:24 – Invitation to Love”Ephesians 5:21 – The Answer to Everything
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”Ephesians 5:20b – In His Name
… in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary: Coming in the name of Jesus carries with it both responsibility, and power and authority.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:20b – In His Name”Ephesians 5:6b – The Choice
… for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Summary: What is “wrath?” Is it something we should worry about? Does God really get angry with us? These questions are important when we consider where we want to spend eternity after this body of flesh we live in stops working.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:6b – The Choice”Ephesians 5:5b – Who Then Can Be Saved?
— has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Summary: Paul has some strong words for us in this passage. Looked at in the wrong way, they can seem like a death sentence for us all. Looked at through the lens of Jesus’ love for us, the meaning becomes clear. We need Jesus!
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:5b – Who Then Can Be Saved?”