Excuse my tardiness to the start of a new week...out of town family members in town for Spring Break made my Sunday disappear...crawling into bed at midnight last night I realized I had totally missed starting the week with a new verse! So I hope you can just class it as a "time change" adjustment and grant me a small dose of grace! We'll get this week going right now!
Quick review of our verses of God's Promises, our Obedience, and the Holy Spirit's role in our lives...
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We're on a roll here in Ephesians 5, so what do you say we just add another? Ephesians 5:21 is our next verse reflecting on how our lives look when we allow God's Spirit to rule in our lives. This verse contains that touchy subject of "submission." Ouch! Do any of us like to hear that directive? Let's hear the verse, and then we'll jump right in to see what Scripture is telling us we are to be like as Spirit-filled Christians...
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
When I read Ephesians 5:21, another verse that immediately comes to my mind is Philippians 2:3...
Quick review of our verses of God's Promises, our Obedience, and the Holy Spirit's role in our lives...
Promises of God (10)
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We're on a roll here in Ephesians 5, so what do you say we just add another? Ephesians 5:21 is our next verse reflecting on how our lives look when we allow God's Spirit to rule in our lives. This verse contains that touchy subject of "submission." Ouch! Do any of us like to hear that directive? Let's hear the verse, and then we'll jump right in to see what Scripture is telling us we are to be like as Spirit-filled Christians...
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
When I read Ephesians 5:21, another verse that immediately comes to my mind is Philippians 2:3...
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (NIV)
And I love the way this verse is stated in The Message:
Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.
So think about what Paul has taught us so far in these verses of Ephesians 5...a Spirit-filled Christian is directed into right and wise living, is joyful to the point of singing and encourages other Christians by the joy they share, is thankful no matter their current circumstance, and is not self-seeking.
We have all of these characteristics within us because God's Spirit is living within us...when we allow Him to fulfill us, to fill us to the full, then our lives will shine with His radiance!
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