Day 7–January 7, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Observation:

21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Because of our Salvation in Christ Jesus and because of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are being taught to put off our old selves with our sinful nature and to put on our new selves, being made in God’s image and likeness to be righteous and holy. We do this by getting rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice. Then we can be kind, compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgives us. Also, we are never to “…let the sun go down while you are still angry….” (Ephesians 4:26) We are encouraged not to let anger stew in us which could cause us to sin, but rather resolve your anger with love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. We are not quite able to do this on our own and in our own power, but as we remember the Holy Spirit in us, we are empowered to be forgivers, because God forgave us in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord God, maker of heaven and earth, You are Holy and Merciful. You have forgiven me of my inequities and have given me a new life in Christ Jesus. Your Holy Spirit reminds me of everything that Jesus had taught his disciples and you are always with me to remind me of your word and your way. Help me to walk in the light of your word. Help me to put off my old sinful self and help me to made new each day as I live to reflect your love, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion to the people who intersect my life on a daily basis. May I live into the grace that you have shown me. Help me to be an extender of your grace to the others in my life and may I be and become all that you desire of me. Amen!

Day 6–January 6, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (NIV)

Observation:

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all…. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

We are called to live a life worthy of the calling that we have received through grace; a life of grace, unity in the Spirit, speaking the truth in love, and not being swayed by every changing teaching being offered by crafty and cunning people. We stand firm then on God’s unchanging word, becoming mature in our faith and actions. All of this is to God’s Glory through Jeus Christ and by the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.

Application:

We have everything we need to live the life that is worthy of our calling by studying the Word and cooperating with the Holy Spirit in our lives. When the word seems counter to our own beliefs, our role then is to accept God’s Word without exception and live into the truth of scripture. The Holy Spirit, who is always with us, will encourage us to be transformed by the word that we have encountered and then we will find unity and maturity in the Spirit.

Prayer:

Dear Lord and Father of us all, grant that we grow in our understanding of your Word through the faith you have gifted us in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for the Gift of the Holy Spirit that we might stay ever close to you. Raise us up in the faith that we might be unmoved by the changing tides and differing world views. Help us to stand firm in your word, speaking the truth in love, for you are a graceful and loving God who desires us to know and love you better. Help us to be extenders of the grace that you have given us so that the Body of Christ will be built up in Jesus Christ. “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.“ Amen!

Day 5–January 5, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-21

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Observation:

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus that Gentiles are included in God’s plan for salvation. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we can be confident in approaching God’s throne of grace. “12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12) That is the good news of the Gospel, that God has made a way for us.

Prayer:

We thank you Lord, that you have included the Gentiles in your plan of Salvation and that we can be confident approaching your throne of grace through our faith in your Son, our Lord and Savior. Allow us to cooperate with your Holy Spirit as you reveal scriptural truth to us, transforming us into the people you created us to become, people of faith and confidence. Amen!

Day 4–January 4, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (NIV)

Observation:

Christ is our peace, bringing us together in one body through one Spirit by the blood of Christ. “19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Once we were no people, but through Christ suffering and sacrifice we have been made new creations, holy and sanctified. We are being built up together into one body, the temple of Our Lord Jesus, who dwells in us richly. Our lives matter then and what we do with our lives is important. So be holy as your father in heaven is holy. Let people see the goodness of our Lord in everything we do.

Application:

Since we are new creations in Christ Jesus, and since the Holy Spirit of Christ dwells in us richly, let us be confident in our faith and put our faith into action on a daily basis. Let us not be afraid to be the holy people of God, not in an off-putting way, but in a way that allows the people that we might to see the love, compassion, and grace that our Lord has displayed to us.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the Peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for including me in your Kingdom plan for the Salvation of the world. Help me then through your grace to be compassionate, loving and graceful with everyone i meet today. Allow the people that I encounter to recognize you in me and allow me to be confident in my faith that my body would truly be a temple for You, all to your glory. Amen!

DAY 3–January 3, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Observation:

Each one of us were dead in our transgressions, but because of God’s great love for us, through his great mercy made us alive in Christ. “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”” There is nothing that we can do or have done to merit our own salvation. Our very faith in Christ is a gift from God so that no one can boast about their own saving faith. Our salvation is what God does in us because we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.

Application:

Therefore, since God gives us faith in Christ to become new creations, we are then encouraged and expected to do the good works in our lives that God has prepared in advance for us to do. We then need to live into the grace that we have received and become extenders of grace to the others in our lives.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to be ever mindful of your all-sufficient grace that we do not deserve, but you grant to us because of your great mercy and love. Enable us then to live into the grace that you have provided and use that blessing in our lives to be a blessing in the world. Help us to be ever mindful of your love and help us to accomplish the works that you have planned for us to do in your honor and all to your glory. Amen!

DAY 2–January 2, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (NIV)

Observation:

“17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,…”

Like Paul, I too am praying for you, the people of Rock Church to first of all receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and then for the Spirit of God to enlighten you, opening your eyes and your hearts to his plan for your life. And the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him above the heavenly realm is at work in you. Can you imagine the power of the Holy Spirit to move in people’s lives is available to all who believe that Jesus is the Christ. This power can move mountains and can influence lives all to the Glory of God! Do not be afraid to use the power of the Spirit in you to make a difference in this world.

Application:

The “Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” (Ephesians 1:17) The Spirit of God is given to every believer so that we might know God better. As we cooperate with God’s Spirit in us, God will reveal God’s Self to the believer so that the believer may be built up in their faith and actions. As we trust God and move in God’ Spirit we can be very powerful influencers in the world, bringing people to faith in God.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I give thanks for the people at Rock Church. I give thanks for their faith in you as Lord and God of their lives. My prayer is that the Power of the Holy Spirit in them will encourage them to be bold in their faith and cause their faith to move into action. All this through the Power and the Presence of Your Holy Spirit in them. Allow others that know them to know you as well because they will be able to see You in them. May we all be better reflections of your love, grace, and justice all to the Glory of God. Amen!

DAY 1–January 1, 2025

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (NIV)

Observation:

“13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

I look to this pericope (means cut out) for this excerpt is cut out of the larger reading to focus on a singular truth of this scripture from Ephesians 1:1-14. Paul writes that we who have received the Holy Spirit in our belief of Jesus as Christ and Lord of our lives have been sealed with The Holy Spirit which Paul writes is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. It is like the “Earnest Money” that you would place on a home that you intend to purchase. By putting the deposit of “Earnest Money” as a down payment you are saying to the seller that you will secure a mortgage and will complete the purchase of that home. No one else can purchase that home from the seller once the Earnest Money is received from the buyer unless the buyer can-not complete the purchase. In our case as being sealed in The Spirit, it is the Spirit that is placing the “Earnest Money” upon us. It is the Holy Spirit’s Deposit guaranteeing that we are being saved through the actions of our faith and the involvement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is what we call Blessed Assurance!

Application:

So how do I apply this truth from scripture in my life? First, I can be confident in knowing that the ongoing work of God’s Holy Spirit in my life is a constant and very real presence and that whatever good work the Spirit is doing in me will be carried out to completion, because it is what God is doing in my life. Second, the Holy Spirit’s role in our salvation is the wooing, the inviting us into an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Third, the Spirit is there to remind me of everything that Jesus ever taught his disciples. So, I have no excuse but to become a fully devoted follower of the Living Christ by the power and the presence of His Holy Spirit, I lack nothing because of this seal and because of the active participation of The Holy Spirit in my life. I therefore, will allow the Spirit to inform me and transform me on a daily basis as I approach the Scripture with trust and an open mind. Fourth, The Spirit is there to show me myself, convicting and convincing me to follow the truth of God’s word. When, God’s Word is counter to what I have come to believe or practice, I am the one who is convicted by the Spirit to conform my ways to God’s ways.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your guarantee of my salvation in your Holy Spirit. Help me in my life to have ears to hear your word and allow your Spirit to aplly your truth to my life. Help me adjust my will to your will. The truth is that when I have adjusted my ways to your Spiritual direction in my life, I find that your will fits me just right and I am extremely blessed because of it.

Amen!