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Ephesians 5:14-20
This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
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, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
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Is today a dark day for you? If we are not careful, the darkness of the world can eclipse our perception of light. Mondays are dark days for some, preachers included. But today is the day the Lord has made. God made Mondays as well as Sundays! But today is the 13th and you know what they say about 13. Elevators don’t even go to the 13th floor because builders don’t build that floor. You don’t want thirteen people at a party, so some companies will rent you a fourteenth guest. But thirteen belongs to God just like Monday does. His light illumines our darkness and shines in us.
Paul tells the Ephesians that they are light. They don’t just have light, but they are light and God’s light in them produces goodness, righteousness and truth. As they walk in wisdom, they will make the most of every opportunity even when the days are evil. Instead of being intoxicated with wine, they are to be intoxicated with God.
How would we live today if we were full of God? We would encourage each other with psalms, hymns and Spiritual songs. Ask God to give you a song that speaks to your soul. Andrew Peterson’s “You’re always good,” comes to mind for me. Tell someone else about your song. Filled with the Spirit today, we would be grateful to God for everything. I declare that this Monday the 13th is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
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Pray with me:
Gracious Heavenly Father, we awakened today. Help us not to take your goodness for granted. Fill us with the fruit of the light through your Holy Spirit. Turn our faces away from the dour darkness of sin. Make us truly grateful today for Jesus who entered, illumined and vanquished darkness once and for all. In his name we pray. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:12-13
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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