Ep 4 Devo

 November 20th, 2016  

Devotional

“Exploring Ephesians: Maturing in Christ” -Eph 4: 1-16

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Monday: “Life that is Worthy” - Eph 4: 1-3

How often do you stop and think about your life? Once a day? Once a week? How often do you stop and access where you are spiritually? To think about how God has blessed you and where God is calling you to go for the sake of the Gospel? 

The author of Ephesians urges the hearers of this letter to live a life worthy of the calling which they have received. However, in order to live this worthy life you must first take time to hear the call. We live in a world where everything else is trying to clamor for our attention - the computer, radio, TV, books, friends, family - the list goes on and on. How often do you take time to simply rest in God’s presence - to be still and listen for the voice of God? For all the other markers of living a life that is worthy of the call - humility, gentleness, patience, peace, love - they are fruits of the Spirits, fruits of listening to and growing with God. 

How can you make room in your life to simply be still and listen to God?

What distracts you the most from listening to God and/ or living a life that is worthy of the calling you’ve received?

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we don’t know what it looks like to live a life that is worthy of the calling, because we have not taken time to listen and respond to your calling. Open up our ears and hearts so we can respond to your calling. Amen. 

Tuesday: “One” - Eph 4: 4-6

Every week during worship we read a creed together - a statement of what we believe. The author of Ephesians presents a version of a creed in today’s scripture passage - that there is one body and one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. 

Sometimes as Christians we get caught up in what our differences are - the thing that set different denominations apart. But the author of Ephesians wants to remind us of that which makes us one - those beliefs that are true of all Christians - what are the basic tenants of the faith. For we need to know what we believe in order to share that with others, so that they can come to know the love of our One Lord, One Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Take time today to write down a creed - a statement about what are the basics of the faith as you understand them. How does your creed compare to that presented in Ephesians or the Apostles Creed we recite in worship? 

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we are hesitant to talk about our faith because we aren’t sure what we believe. We aren’t sure what are the most important things to share with others. So help us, O Lord, to find what is important and to uplift those things - those tenants of the faith that speak to who you are and how you love us. Thank you, O Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Given Grace” - Eph 4: 7-10

Notice the first verse of today’s scripture passage. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. It does not say that we earned grace. Or that we were given grace according to how hard we worked. Grace is a gift. 

A few months ago during a Bible Study on Ephesians, we found a translation of the Bible that phrased grace as “special favor.” However, this type of special favor is so different from that of the world, that is based off of what we can do for others or our position or power. We were shown grace, or special favor, by God because of Christ. We were given the gift of grace not because of anything that we have done but because of Christ. Howe can we live our lives, after accepting this gift, in such a way as to uplift the name of God and glorify Christ? 

What does the gift of grace mean to you?

How has God shown you special favor? 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of grace. We know that we could never earn our way in heaven. We can never do enough or be good enough in order to earn grace. We are humbled by the love and grace shown to us on the cross. Thank you, Precious Lord! Amen. 

Thursday: “Unity of the Faith” - Eph 4: 11-13

We all need one another in the body of Christ. I am a firm believer that every local church is equipped with the gifts it needs in those who worship there in order to reach folks for Jesus Christ. We have all been given gifts - some of which are listed in this scripture passage - but we need all of the different gifts to come together, complimenting and supporting one another, in order to be the local church, in order to reach people for Jesus. 

When we come together, we exemplify what it means to be the body of Christ and build each other up. When we come together, under the Lordship of Jesus, we can mature together for the sake of the Gospel message. 

What has God gifted you to do and how can your gift or talent be used in the local church for Christ? 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us that we need one another. Thank you that your Spirit gives us everything we need, when we come together, in order to serve Christ and make your name known. Use us, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “Must Grow Up” - Eph 4: 14-16

“God loves us too much in order to keep us where we are today”. I once heard a preacher make this powerful statement and it has stuck with me. God doesn’t want us to be the same place spiritually we are today, twenty years from now. We are called to grow up in Christ - to love God and love our neighbor more and more each day. In the words of John Wesley this is “going on towards perfection”. 

We are called to set aside our childish ways and scheming in order that Christ be more clearly known and seen in us. When we act in ways contrary to the love of Christ, we act like children, but when we continue to mature we can become complete in Christ.

How can you mature in your faith?

Prayer: Lord, help us to mature in our faith. We know that at times it seems easier to act like children, focusing on our own wants and desires instead of focusing on you. Free us from our childish ways and lead us to be more like you. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Exploring Ephesians: The Armor of God” - Eph 6: 10-20

Family Activity: Talk about what it means to grow up. What do they look forward to the most about growing up? What do they look forward to the least? What does it mean to grow up in Christ?