Tag: wise living
Living well in evil days!
Scripture reading for December 1st: Ephesians 1-6
Ephesians contains amazing spiritual truth and insight for those in Christ’s church. There is a wealth of encouragement and some fantastic prayers that lift us into the realm of God. The simple Gospel is explained in Ephesians 2:8-11 in an easily understandable form. The church and it’s purposes are laid out in Ephesians 4:1-16. Following that, there are practical instructions for wise living for those in Christ. I have often used these chapters in counseling others over the years I have ministered. The last chapter helps us with spiritual warfare and the armor of God. We are in a battle against wicked forces in the heavenly realm!
“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20
The only way to live wisely in these evil days is to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit! This is not a one-time experience of speaking in tongues or an emotional high at a Christian meeting. It is a personal relationship with God the Holy Spirit. As we live full of the Holy Spirit, we live a life of worship. We do this when we are alone with God and when we are around others. When we are filled with the Spirit, we speak graciously to others. Our speech is pleasing and in harmony with the Spirit of God.
Our speech is to be filled with thanksgiving to God the Father for everything. We realize that everything we have is from God. Our strength and health, as well as our material possessions, are gifts. We are blessed by our relationship with God and realize all the blessing of being in Christ! (Ephesians 1:3-12) Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs come from our hearts as we are filled with thanksgiving!
The secret to living in evil days!
Scripture reading for December 1st: Ephesians 1-6
Ephesians is one of my favorite letters from God through Paul. It contains amazing spiritual truth and insight for those in Christ’s church. There is a wealth of encouragement and some fantastic prayers! The Gospel is explained in Ephesians 2:8-11. The church and it’s purposes are laid out in Ephesians 4:1-16. Following that, there are practical instructions for wise living for those in Christ. I have often used these chapters in counseling others over the years I have ministered. The last chapter helps us with spiritual warfare and the armor of God.
“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-20)
The only way to live wisely in these evil days is to be filled with the Holy Spirit! This is not a one-time experience of speaking in tongues or an emotional high at a Christian meeting. It is a personal relationship with God the Holy Spirit. As we live full of the Holy Spirit, we live a life of worship. When we are filled with the Spirit, our speech is pleasing and in harmony with the Spirit of God.
We thank God because we recognize that everything we have is from Him. Our strength and health, as well as our material possessions are gifts. We overflow with thanksgiving and melodious speech. Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs come from our hearts as we are filled with awareness of God’s many blessings.
This is the secret to wise living in evil days! Ask the Lord to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit today! Begin your day with worship! Read some Psalms or sing a spiritual song of love to the Lord from your heart! Decide to speak in harmony with the Holy Spirit to everyone you meet today! May God unveil all the spiritual blessing that are yours today in Christ Jesus!
Sunday rest and reflection: wise living!
Dear Friends, Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the only wise God! What a day to be alive and learning to know and love God! The signs are everywhere of the last days and God’s Word tells us to live wisely and make the most of our time as we see the Day of Christ approaching. (Ephesians 5:15-16) Those who are righteous will become more righteous and live by the Spirit, following Christ more closely. Those who are wicked will become more wicked, following their own flesh and the evil spirits of this world more closely. (Revelation 22:10-11)
As we begin a study of Proverbs in our daily reading, we are exposed to wisdom for successful daily living in this world. The proverbs were wise sayings and nuggets of God’s truth that would help to discern the right path. These truths were particularly helpful to youth and children who were beginning their walk through life. Parents were to teach their children wise living. They taught by impressing truth on the hearts of the young during daily meals, Sabbath day church gatherings, work, and sharing at bedtime around the fire.
Wise living always centered on loving God and obeying His commandments. This wisdom has it’s beginning in a deep respect for God as Creator and giver of life! The term used in Scripture is the ‘fear of the Lord’. Parents teach the ‘fear of the Lord’ by their attitude towards God and God’s house. Regular church attendance and worship is a good indication of a desire to live wisely. Daily study of the Word of God and prayer are spiritual disciplines that indicate a desire to know God’s will in order to submit to it and obey it. Wise living honors God’s Word as the rule of faith and practice. We treat it with respect and believe it is truth–all of it! When we cut out parts of the Bible because it doesn’t line up with what ‘science’ teaches or with what we want to believe, then we have lost our fear of the Lord and our ability to know truth. This is a dangerous place to be!
In the last days, men will refuse a love of the truth, believe a lie, and end up in damnation. (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12) When we have no fear of God or His Word, a delusion of deception blinds us even further. We lose our ability to discern right from wrong. We end up delighting in wickedness and going to our destruction. Now is the time to press on to know the Lord and live wisely in obedience and faith. Jesus is coming soon! (Revelation 22:20)