My Prayer (06/21/17)

Read Ephesians 2:10.

Lord, I desire to do the works you have prepared for me. These are Your will for me.  Thank You that it is not Your design for me to be fruitless and frustrated.  You created me for service and impact.  I submit to this revelation and rejoice in it.  Show me the next "work" or series of works You have in mind.  Continue to fashion me, Your "workmanship" (Wow!  What a thought!).

The "Used To" Chapter (Eph. Ch. 2)

Read Ephesians chapter two.

There are three "used to" conditions in this chapter.

1.  We used to be dead in our trespasses and sins.  That death used to be our default mode of living (2:1-2).

2.  We used to do "life" (actually, death) with other dead people (a.k.a. "sons of disobedience") (2:2-3).

3.  We used to be cut off and distant from both peace and reconciliation (2:11-22).

Praise God, that is not who we are anymore!  That is not how we live!  Things are different now!

A Glorious Church (Eph. 5:27)

Read Ephesians 5:27.

This is the only passage in the New Testament that describes what kind of Church that Jesus is coming for.  The glorious church is a holy church.  How do you prepare yourself for Jesus' coming? Be holy (1 Pet. 1:14-15).  Pursue holiness (Heb. 12:14).

Honor Your Mother (Ex. 20:12) (Part 3)

2. ADVANTAGE: YOU SHOULD HONOR YOUR MOTHER BECAUSE IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO DO SO.

And all the mothers said . . . .  (They're no fools and neither are we. Mother brought you into the world, and she can take you out!)

This commandment to honor your mother is called, in Ephesians 6:2, “the first commandment with a promise.” What is the promise? Ex. 20:12 > “ . . . that your days may be prolonged in the land . . . .”  While this isn't a guarantee for each individual, it is a statement of expectation for society as a whole. The gist is that those who not only obey their parents but honor them are less likely to dishonor other authorities and incur even stiffer penalties.