WHOLLY DONE = HOLY RESULTS

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-20

Verse 13: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

The verse above is important for what it instructs us to do. Further, it also emphasizes a principle of which we should be aware, that applies to the nature of the Bible. This verse demonstrates the reality that each and every word of scripture is important! We are instructed to take up the whole armor. The word “whole” should prevent anyone from supposing that partial use of the armor will do. No one would want to fly with a pilot who was only partially trained. What if the pilot had learned to get the aircraft in flight, but didn’t know how to land it? No person would want surgery to be conducted by a  doctor who missed the part of his education that addressed their operation. In a like manner, we should not expect to be well protected by only part of the armor of God. That is why it is necessary to note and respect every word that is provided in the verse. To receive the complete protection that the Father intends, we must take up the whole armor of God. That’s a thought – about God’s Word

RESPONSE

1. Is there a piece of the armor of God upon which you need more focus?

2. What verse of scripture can you identify where one word makes a great difference?

MUCH FOR LITTLE

READING: EPHESIANS 5:15-21

Verses 15 & 16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil.”

This reading begins by mentioning something that is no longer in practice, but was very common many years ago. In those days people would be given what were called “trading stamps” when they purchased groceries or merchandise. The stamps were glued into booklets, and when enough filled booklets were accumulated, they could be traded for products of value. It was possible to take these  booklets, something of little material value, and exchange them for useful items of much greater real value. Well, that concept applies to our redemption in Christ Jesus. By His blood, our unredeemed  lives are exchanged for lives of infinite value. That same concept also applies to this current time with its evil days. Use of the godly wisdom described in verse 15, permits times which otherwise would be evil, to instead be redeemed for immensely greater purposes. How blessed we are that both our lives and our times are redeemed in Christ Jesus! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you have to say to the Lord, about this great exchange?

2. Is there a way you can honor the Lord by receiving something of less value and returning for it something of greater value?

ANGRY? – BETTER CHECK THE SUN

READING: EPHESIANS 4:25-32

Verse 26: “Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,”

Anger is a reaction that occurs in people, sometimes causing great expense in the form of painful consequences. Because of that many people struggle with attempts to handle anger in some manner that will avoid problems. Some even try to never be angry at all. The wisdom of the Bible, however, recognizes that anger will occur. Therefore we are given scriptural wisdom on the topic. Anger itself is not necessarily sin, but it does very frequently result in sin. It is my personal belief that it becomes sin when it causes the existence of godliness to diminish. This happens when anger is not promptly resolved through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Unresolved anger grows and festers over time, even ultimately causing bitterness which defiles a person. This must be taken very seriously. It is not necessary that all anger be avoided, but all anger must soon be brought to godly resolution. That brings us to the point made by this verse. To insure that the dangers described above are  avoided, anger should be resolved by the end of the day in which it occurs. That’s a thought –  about God’s Word.

RESPONSE
1. How do you complete the following statement? ”Anger is
___________________________________________”

2. Do you need to make any change regarding anger?

PROTECT THE HEART

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-20

Verse 14: “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

According to Chapter 6 of Ephesians, the whole armor of God makes us able to withstand in the evil day. That is important to us because these are evil days. We are to stand having put on the breastplate of righteousness. In the time of the Apostle Paul, the purpose of the breastplate was to protect the heart, one of our most vital organs. It was therefore a necessary part of a soldier’s armor. In his efforts against us Satan  attacks the heart, which is our spiritual vital organ, using unrighteousness. He attempts to lure us or deceive us into sinful attitudes and behaviors. He tries to use the weakness caused by our sinful natures to his advantage. It is the righteousness of God that defends us from these attacks of the devil. Isaiah 64:6 states that the righteousness of man is like filthy rags. That makes it  clear to understand that our own righteousness is not an adequate defense. Therefore, we need the righteousness of God to provide the spiritual breastplate for effective protection. God’s people are able to withstand in the evil day using the whole armor of God which includes the power of the breastplate of righteousness. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you believe is the enemy’s most used implement of unrighteousness?

2. What will increase the power of righteousness in your life?

IT’S HIS BUSINESS

READING: 2 Samuel 22:14-20

Verse 20: “He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

If you think about it a little, you might conclude that God is in the delivery business. The Bible uses the word “deliver” to describe the freedom He has granted us from persecutions and afflictions (2 Tim 3:11), death (2 Cor 1:10), temptations (2 Pet 2:9), power of darkness (Col 1:13), the wrath to come (1Thes 1:10), every evil work (2 Tim 4:18), and the evil one (Matt 6:13). The word “deliver” is also used to describe the manner in which God provided a way of escape for many Biblical personalities such as Noah, Lot, Jacob, David, Daniel, Paul and even the Lord Jesus Himself.  Furthermore, in Exodus 12 the nation of Israel was delivered, and Esther 9 tells of the Jews being delivered. All of that raises a question. A person may wonder “Why is the Lord so determined to deliver His people?” The answer to this question, as given by King David in 2 Samuel 22:20, is simple. He delivers us because He delights in us. Such blessing causes us to confess: “Behold what manner of love the Father has  bestowed on us.” (1 John 3:1) That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is your most dramatic personal experience of being delivered?

2. How has God worked through your life in the process of someone else being delivered?

JOHN UNIVERSAL

READING: John 1:6-13

Verse 6: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”

People are so very different as individuals. It is truly a miracle that God has created so many of us, but still has caused us each to be so individually distinctive. This fact brings up an amazing reality  about the Bible. In spite of our great differences, the Lord has placed personalities in the Bible with whom each of us can identify. He has made sure we all can see those with familiar character traits being used for mighty supernatural purposes. I believe He wants everyone to be encouraged in that manner. Many characteristics are presented so that all of us can be stimulated and motivated by what we read.  Even greater, in addition to this quality of individual appeal, some of these characteristics also are attractive in ways that are universal for us all. The verse quoted above for today’s reading is one of the latter. In it there is an honor to which every Christian should aspire. That is the honor of being  known as a person sent by God. In that regard, may we all be blessed to be like John. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What biblical personality in addition to the Lord Jesus motivates or stimulates you and how?

2. What can you identify in your life that testifies that you are sent by God?

ZEAL = GODLINESS?

READING: ROMANS 10:1-10

Verse 2: “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”

We are in a day and a time when many people express religious zeal. These expressions take many forms. Cults and false religions of all types are proliferating. People are even attempting to be gods unto themselves and pursuing that goal with great determination. Others are constructing gods for themselves by elevating whatever they choose to positions of lordship over themselves. Romans 10:2 precisely describes these people. They are missing truth which would inform them that wrong expressions of zeal do not produce godliness. They need to know it is not fervor or strength of zeal that determines the value of their responses. The direction given to their zeal is far more important  and essential than its intensity. Knowledge of the only true God and His Word is what directs a  person to worthy zeal. The great need of mankind is the zeal for the Lord according to knowledge that is modeled by the following statement: “...Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord...” (2  Kings 10:16). That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Are you being called to any action concerning misdirected zeal?

2. How are you exemplifying properly directed zeal?