Day 96/260: Read Ephesians 6

Paul believed in the power of prayer. In the final chapter of his Ephesian epistle, the apostle asked his readers to pray for him and his ministry, “that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

What is boldness? It is “preach[ing] the word…in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). It is reported that Marshall Keeble paraphrased that as “when they want to hear it, and when they don’t.” There are times that one must boldly stand for the truth, recognizing that there will be opposition.

Boldness is “declar[ing] the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). That is proclaiming the entire gospel from beginning to end, not leaving anything out for fear of offending another.

Boldness is “contend[ing] earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). It involves passionate persuasion of “the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” It has not changed since the first century; what was true then is still true today.

Notice also, however, what boldness is not.

Boldness is not rudeness. When we spread the gospel we are to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We are not trying to win arguments; we are trying to win souls for Christ. Be gentle, yet uncompromising. Be patient, yet persistent. Be compassionate, just as Christ was (and is).

Be bold.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Philippians 2:4. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Pray

Pray for boldness in your speech and service.

Day 95/260: Read Ephesians 5

Paul takes great care to warn his readers against impurity. To his young friend Timothy, he wrote, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). He also advised the young preacher, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). He urged the church in Philippi to meditate on whatever is pure (Philippians 4:8).

Here in Ephesians 5, the apostle lists several sinful deeds, and says, “let it not even be named among you.” He tells them that those who use “empty words” are those who will face “the wrath of God,” and implored them, “Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
One of his strongest warnings comes in the eleventh verse. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Many people grew up with mothers who warned, “You need to choose your friends; don’t let your friends choose you.” In other words, don’t just go along with whatever crowd tries to recruit you, but pick a group of friends who have the same morals that you read about in the Bible.

Who are your friends? Are they pure? Are you?

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Ephesians 1:22-23. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Pray

Pray for wisdom in choosing the pure path of righteousness.

Day 94/260: Read Ephesians 4

There are so many rich thoughts in this single chapter. Worthiness. Unity. Oneness. Love.

Why must we “walk worthy of the calling”? Why must we “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”? What is the importance of the seven ones of verses four through six? Isn’t love the answer to everything?

God established His church, but did not leave her to fend for herself. Within the church, there are men designated to fill certain roles. During the first century, the Lord’s closest followers served as apostles. Inspired men served as prophets. We do not have those offices still today, but others remain.

Pastors—the elders or bishops of the local church—fill such an important role. The word “pastor” does not refer to the man preaching each week. Some preachers are pastors, but not all pastors are preachers. A pastor is one who oversees the flock (Acts 20:28), who ensures sound doctrine is taught in the pulpit (Titus 1:10-11), who watch out for the souls in Christ’s church (Hebrew 13:17).

Unfortunately, not all churches have men qualified to serve as pastors. But in time, with study and devotion, God qualifies them for the task.

Have you thanked your elders lately? Thank them personally and tell them you are praying for them. They need to hear it.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Ephesians 1:22-23. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be ________ over all things to the ________, which is His ________, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Pray

Pray for the men who are overseeing the local church where you worship.

Day 93/260: Read Ephesians 3

Do you understand the advantages we have over the prophets of old? Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel…they all believed in God and wrote about the greater blessings that were in store for mankind, but none of them lived long enough to see it during their lifetimes.

Paul says “the mystery of Christ…in other ages was not made known to the sons of men.” Peter wrote, “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you” (1 Peter 1:10).

But in the first century, Paul says “the mystery…has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.” And through their teaching, “when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.”

If we diligently study the Word, we can understand it! However, it is important that we also apply it to our lives so we can fulfill the Lord’s prayer that He prayed in Gethsemane and be united in His will (John 17:20-21).

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Ephesians 1:22-23. And He put ________ things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over ________ things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in ________.

Pray

Pray for a greater desire to read, understand, and obey the inspired Word.

Day 92/260: Read Ephesians 2

“And you He made alive.” Have you ever considered the force of this statement? You were dead in sins…dead to God. Yet He didn’t give up on us. Through Christ and through the power of the cross, He made us alive.

Jesus was no stranger to raising folks from the dead. He raised the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7). In Luke 8, we read of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, begging for his daughter to be healed, as she had not yet died. While Jesus was on the way to the house, someone told Jairus that his daughter was dead, but that didn’t stop Jesus. And, of course, He brought His personal friend Lazarus back from the grave in John 11.

As we see in Ephesians 2, God has power over spiritual death as well. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins…But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

Here’s the question for us: what are we doing with this new life that God granted us? How are we living? Who are we proclaiming? Why did He do it, if not to spread His love to others so He can accomplish the same in them?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Ephesians 1:22-23. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Pray

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s love and mercy, and for the forgiveness He grants through Christ’s blood.

Day 91/260: Read Ephesians 1

There is great importance in identifying one’s self with Christ. Without Christ, one is without hope. Without Christ, one is without forgiveness. Without Christ, one is without mercy. Without Christ, one is without a loving, spiritual family. Without Christ, one is without an eternal inheritance. But in Christ? In Christ, one has access to “every spiritual blessing.”

There is no good thing the Father will withhold from His children. He makes it clear where one must seek those goods things: in Christ.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

This theme of “every spiritual blessing…in Christ” permeates Paul’s writings, but especially in this first chapter of Ephesians. Look outside this first chapter for just a moment though. Read Ephesians 2:13: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Because of His love and grace and mercy, we who were born Gentiles have access to “every spiritual blessing.” What a wonderful thought!

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Ephesians 1:22-23. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Pray

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s gracious blessings and the opportunity He gives all men to be “in Christ.”