Family Values-Oneness in Christ (audio)

Joined Together

June 30th-Children of Light

Journey through Ephesians

Ephesians 5.8-14 “Live as children of the light.”

Focus Verse-Ephesians 5.8

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light.”

Insight-It’s interesting that Paul leaves out a couple of words whose absence creates quite a wallop.  First, he says that we “were once darkness”  notice it doesn’t say that we were in darkness, but that we were darkness.  We were a part of the darkness, the lostness, the rebellion.  And then rather than saying that we are “in the light,” he says that we “are light.”

So we have a choice: we can be darkness, or we can be light.  We can bring more isolation, confusion, destruction, lostness, etc.  Or we can bring more light-goodness, generous living, moral integrity, and authenticity, just to mention a few things.  In Matthew 5.16, Jesus says, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  When we are doing good, redemptive things-when we are loving actively, giving generously of ourselves for others, our light shines bright and reveals to the people around us what God is really like.

The deeds of darkness are the things that are all about pleasing our selfish desires, whether physical or emotional.  The deeds of light are all about serving others and honoring others above ourselves.  As a result of living intimately dependent on Jesus, we ARE children of light, reflecting the heart of Jesus, the Light of the World, to the world around us.

Active Response-Today I will look for and embrace opportunities to shine the light of God’s love, grace and truth into the lives of everyone I come into contact with.  Whether it be kind words, a quick prayer, a listening ear or a full-fledged act of service.

Loving Father, thank you for shining your light into my heart.  Help me to give you the freedom to shine through me today and to bring your light to my world.  Amen

June 12th-Built Together

Journey through Ephesians

Ephesians 2.19-3.1 “you too are being built together”

Focus Verse-Ephesians 2.22

^“22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Insight-To the Jewish people, the temple was the place where God dwelt among His people-the place where heaven and earth came together.  Now, as Paul is explaining the reconciliation between us and God, and us and everyone else, that Jesus has provided, he says that it is accomplishing something far greater than our greatest expectations.  This reconciliation is causing those who have embraced this reconciliation to be built together.  And not just built together and united, but to become God’s holy temple-to become the place where heaven and earth come together.  In our new-found unity, God dwells and works.  This amps up the desire to be unified as followers of Christ!  When we are together, we are this incredible place where heaven and earth come together!  What a beautiful reality!

Response and Action-Today, I will seek to live in this reconciliation, understanding that I was made to be built into others and for others to be built into me.  And that when this happens, heaven and earth come together and that it is something beautiful.

Reconciling God, build into my heart a greater love for those around me.  A love that seeks to build into others as You are building into me and a love that allows others to build into me.  Let Your presence be unmistakable as Your temple is built in us.  Amen.

June 11th-Peace

Journey through Ephesians

Ephesians 2.14-18 “For he himself is our peace,”

Focus Verse-

^“14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,”

Insight-It would be an understatement to say that in our world, there is a lot of hostility.  We have division and hostility between nations, within nations, at work, at home and even in our own hearts.  It seems like no matter how we try, the hostility and division persists.  It’s a natural byproduct of a broken world, a world in which we have chosen to live in allegiance to ourselves first and foremost, rather than God.  We have created our own little kingdoms and when our kingdoms are threatened, we fight and we fight hard.  There are a lot of battles being fought all around us, aren’t there?

So where do we find peace?  Paul suggests that peace is found in giving our allegiance to Jesus, the one who not only brings peace, but is peace.  Through Jesus death and resurrection he has confronted and disarmed all of the false kingdoms and powers.  Even more, he satisfied the law by giving himself up as the sufficient sacrifice-offering his life in exchange for ours, purchasing our freedom!  Interestingly, Paul implies that unless we are reconciled to God, we can’t be reconciled to each other.  Are we willing to follow the loving leadership of Jesus in all areas of our lives, trusting that it will bring peace, not just with God, but with each other?

Response and Action-Today, I will swear my allegiance to the One who is Peace.  I will choose to follow His leadership and to submit to His plan, trusting that it will bring me the peace that my heart needs.  Only through first submitting to Him will I find the peace and security to live peacefully with others.

Prince of Peace, fill my heart with your love today.  I find my safety and security in You and You alone.  Help me to trust You in every area of my life today and in doing so, to discover a peace that carries over into my interactions with those around me.  Amen.

Family Values-Hearts for People (audio)

A Heart Like His