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“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit”

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)

When a person is drunk, they are controlled and influenced by the alcohol buzz. This lifestyle will lead to destruction of relationships, of inner peace and physical health.

In contrast, being filled (empowered and directed) by the Holy Spirit leads to social growth, comforting peace and a full life.

The word ‘filled’ here is that of a boat sail being ‘filled‘ with moving air. This is what drives even the massive ships of old to advance powerfully across the sea.

Our job is to allow the Holy Spirit to direct and empower our daily lives by continually asking, then “doing”. Instead of just “doing” on our own might. Watch the blessings and fulfillment flourish!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I can’t live this life productively, wisely and pleasing to You. But You can. Live through me, moment by moment. In Jesus Name. Amen.

“Everything exposed by the light becomes visible”

Ephesians 5:13 (NIV)

The bible usually describes things relating to God as light. In contrast, sin, evil and Satan relate to darkness.

Ever turn over an old log and see all kinds of weird bugs crawling around in the cold, soggy exposed area? As soon as the light hits, the bugs helping with the decay run for cover and the ground starts breathing so to grow green life again.

When we invite Jesus to come into our lives God has in essence wired us with electricity. Yet we need to turn on the switch and screw in the bulbs. This happens as we ask God to live through us, depend on Him for good decisions and choices, pray to Him for strength, fill our minds with His Words…

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, expose the junk in my life. Give me the strength to work on changing so that I can get all You have for me as a fulfilled person. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity”

Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)

The old saying, “if you don’t want to sin, stay out of sins orchard”, helps brings this verse to light. Men especially can get their X rated mental theaters cued up with just a few lustful visuals. A ‘hint’ can get the movies rolling.

If I eat one oreo, that second one most likely will be eaten. Once that flavor gets going in the ol’ taste buds, at least a whole sleeve will be consumed. For me, possibly a prayer (or my wife walking in) can stop this eating crusade. The best thing I can do is not even eat that first one; the ‘hint’!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, please don’t let immorality and impurity get in the way of all the fulfilling relationships and fruitful life You want to give me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

It may not be till we reach our death bed, that we will truly appreciate the fact that God forgave us when we accepted Christ into our lives (see “Start the Victory” atop Victory247.org).

He forgave us all our sins. That’s a lot! What this verse is implies is that with this in mind, forgiving others is much easier to do.

While waiting at an impossible intersection, it sometimes takes a person to mercifully let you in. You then are more likely to return the favor to another. In the same way, one who realizes the depth of the forgiveness given them can more easily pass it on.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You very, very much for what Jesus paid for me on the cross. Help me keep this in mind as I deal with others. In His amazing Name. Amen.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up”

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

When we think about giving, we usually think about material gifts, money, even a helping hand. All of these bless the recipient, as well as, opens the door for God to abundantly bless the giver.

Yet one of the most powerful vehicles of giving is our words. Many have weeks of drought without hearing a compliment or praise.

We need to listen to our own words. Are there complaints, gossip, cuts, crude language or cussing. Or words that ‘build others up’ ?

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I want my words to “end the drought” in those around me. Continue to clean my mouth as I use it to ‘build others’. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”

Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

If you have ever sliced an apple and let it sit for a while, you know what the open air and bacteria does to it. The longer you leave it out, the nastier it gets; softer and browner.

In a sense, that is what God is telling us in this verse about our heart. When we stew and dwell on someone we are angry with, it doesn’t just go away, it grows more and more “bacteria”. The bitterness that grows will effect our whole being.

That’s why God wants us to deal with it as soon as possible, and if we forget, at least remember not to go to bed until you do.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I know You forgave me a lot, with blessings in store. So give me the strength to forgive, as quick as possible, those who anger me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”

Ephsians 4:23 (NLT)

We need not just try harder, instead, pray and surrender “harder”. There’s a mentality of when we are striving to accomplish something that we need to just buckle down and give it our all. That’s not how it works in Spiritual growth.

It’s not hard to grow as a Christian, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE! That’s why God left us His holy Spirit to indwell and empower us.

We can go through our whole day asking Him for strength, for guidance in decisions, for help, comfort, the right words… As a result we develop values and qualities, the fruit of the Spirit.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I can’t grow, but You can grow me. Remind me to depend on Your Holy Spirit so I can encourage others, as well as, experience the blessings from ‘renewed thoughts and attitudes’ . In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more”

Ephesians 4:19 (NIV)

‘Sensuality’ comes from the word “senses”; stimulating our taste, smell, sight, touch. Our nature drives us to repeat acts that give us pleasure through our senses.

The problem comes in when we overstimulate. ie) I love the whole experience of pizza. If I followed this craving every time, I would be as large as a house. If I watched TV all day, which I can get addicted to, I would turn into a zombie.

God created our senses, but only to be used under control and at the right times. This way we get the most enjoyment. Sex in the context of marriage causes unity, love and children. Outside of marriage it creates stress, tension, guilt, hurt, disease…

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, don’t let my senses rule my choices. Give me the strength to fight and win against cravings that destroy and turn away Your blessings. And when I lose a fight, help me to start over so I don’t lose the war for my inner joy and peace! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love”

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

Saint Augustine once said, “Patience is the companion of wisdom.” We can’t be just flat out be patient with others. It takes thought and prayer. We can’t be so quick to correct and criticize others. There is a story behind each fault that springs up in a person.

When a friend has a fault, pray and study the the cause. Choose wisely any words of advice, knowing that each of us has our own flaws.

If we let the faults of others make us angry, then we will be angry all the time. Everyone has them!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to be patient with myself and with others as I see faults. Teach me to care instead of criticize. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“With God’s power working in us, God can do much more than anything we can ask or imagine”

Ephesians 3:20 (New Century Version)

To ask Christ to take over our lives is just the starting point for the Holy Spirit to reconstruct our hearts and minds.

I remember when my kids where small toddlers, they would get ear infections that their little immune systems couldn’t seem to fight off. Fever and pain would take over, and as a parent it would hurt my heart to not be able to take that suffering for them.

We would rush to get the antibiotics down their throats and into their blood system. Even though they were still hurting, I knew the medicine was in there, starting its healing process. ‘WORKING’ in them! Relief and joy were soon to follow.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me depend on You so that Your power can ‘work in’ me; reconstruct, mend and fulfull me from the inside out. Do more in my life then I can even ‘image’! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.