Walk in love as Christ loves us

(Today’s devotion is from Ephesians 5:1-21)

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love,
as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. Ephesians 5:1-2

Locked away in prison dungeon, the Apostle Paul became the pen
in the Lord’s hand.

He heard there was distention, false teaching, and fornication in
some of the churches he had started and it deeply grieved him.

Prayerfully he asked God for wisdom on how to reach his
brothers and sisters, before they totally destroyed, what he
had worked so hard to create.

He wrote bold words of correction to the church in Ephesus
from the heart of God…

Brothers and sisters, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children,
just as Christ love us, sacrificing his life for us as a fragrant
offering to God.

Let no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed pollute you, because
these things are improper for God’s holy people.

No filthy talk or coarse joking should come out of your mouths,
for you can be sure that no immoral, impure or greedy person
will inherit the kingdom of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for the anger of God
will come upon the children of disobedience.

You were once in darkness, but now are the children of the light.

Have no fellowship with unfruitful deeds, but rather expose them.

It is shameful to even mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Every evil deed done in secret will be exposed by the light of
Jesus.

Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the death of your sins, and Christ
will shine on you.

Be careful how you live and use your time wisely, for the days
are evil.

Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Do not get drunk with wine or drugs that will seduce you into
corruption.

Instead be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak to one another
with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as spiritual warfare.

Sing and make music to the Lord, always giving thanks to
God the Father for everything that happens to you, in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Submit to one another out of respect and reverence to Christ.

Just as in the days of the Apostle Paul, there are false teachers
polluting the word of God. Fornication, homosexuality,
drunkenness, and greed have become common place even
in our churches. We need to turn from our wicked ways
and become pure and holy people of God.

Like Paul, we may have to confront some controversial
issues and stand up for what is right, even if it’s not
popular or politically correct.

We must not be afraid to give a strong word of correction,
with a loving and humble spirit, to our brothers and sisters
who have be ensnared by the traps of Satan and evil.

The spirit of strife is destroying God’s church and our families.

It’s Satan’s deceptive tool to hinder our prayers and keep
us from inheriting the free gift of eternal life that Jesus
died to give us.

If we hold iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear our prayers.

If we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven.

We must continue daily in God’s word, so we know the
truth, and the truth will free us from the bondages of
sin.

Hate, violence, war, divorce, drugs, alcohol, and sexual
immorality have corrupted our world and we need to
stand up and fight for the LORD.

My brothers and sisters, please submit to one another
in love and fear of God.

His warning are clear and we must change or be destroyed.

Today you may be harboring bitterness or unforgiveness
toward someone. You may be addicted to alcohol, drugs,
gossip, or immoral sexual behavior. Perhaps money,
greed, work, or pleasure have become more important to
you that spending time with your loving Father.

Lay your sins at the foot of the cross and ask God to
change your heart.

Surrender your life and body to him as a living sacrifice.

Choose to do what is right, even when the wrong thing
is happening to you.

Be imitators of our Lord and Saviour.

Deny yourself daily and take up your cross and follow him.

Love your brothers and sisters enough to warn them when
they are about to fall into the fiery pit of hell.

Watch and pray beloved, for you know not what hour
the Lord will come.

Will you be eagerly watching for his return?

Or will you hear him say…

Depart from me, I never knew you?

Jesus is standing at the door knocking…

Will you let him in and become a child of God?

Let’s pray…

Thank you Father,
for the gift of this new day and for the free gift of salvation
and eternal life, through faith in your son. We are so grateful
for your amazing grace and lift our prayers and praise to your
heavenly throne.

I have sinned and ask for your forgiveness. I ask Jesus to come
into my heart. Please be my LORD and Saviour. Help me to
turn from my life of sin and follow wherever you lead. Give me
a double portion of Your Holy Spirit. Flood my heart and mind
with wisdom and the Spirit of Revelation and Knowledge.
Open my eyes to sin as repulsive and evil.

Give me the courage to stand up for my faith and be
a powerful witness to give glory to your name. Help me
to live a life that is holy and pleasing in your sight.

When I open my mouth or write, provide the words to boldly
profess my love for you with others. Schedule my days
and prune out of my life any friendship or activities that
would hinder my mission for you.

Thank you for your amazing hand of favor and blessings upon us.

Fly the words of this message to every nation of the world, so all
will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. With you,
all things are possible.

Violence, hate, and unforgiveness have poisoned our hearts.
Because we have neglected to teach and preach Your words
to our children and fellowman, evil has now come against us.
We have not loved you with our whole heart, or obeyed your
commands.

Our rebellion has allowed the hand of Satan to rise up. We have
sinned and done evil in your sight. We have killed millions of
children with abortion and contraceptives. We have polluted
our bodies with fornication, lust, drugs, alcohol, pornography,
and gluttony. Our lands are cursed because we have robbed
you of tithes and offerings. Death and disease destroy us
because we refuse to feed our souls with your word, the
bread of life.

We have not remembered your Sabbath day or kept it holy.
Families are crumbling from divorce, unwed parents, incest,
homosexuality, rape, and adultery. Cursing is now
commonplace on television and in our homes, and we
are reaping from the filthy seeds we have sown.

Our ground is polluted with harmful chemicals and the blood
of the innocent victims of war and murder.

We deserve nothing but your anger and punishment, but are
thankful you have given us hope through the sacrificial death
of your son Jesus.

He is our Saviour and the Prince of Peace. The government is
upon his shoulders.

You have said, if your people who are called by your name
will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their sins,
then your will hear from heaven and forgive, and heal
our land.

We cry out to you and beg for your mercy.

LORD, hear the threats of terror and blasphemy against you
and come to our rescue.

Remove the wicked from power and confuse the plots of
our enemies.

Guide the actions of our leaders so they may rule over us
according to your will. Overturn all laws and ordinances
that are against your holy law.

Allow prayer in school and our government.

Unite us in peace, under your supreme leadership and authority.

Turn our eyes from worthless things. Help us to use our
gifts and talents to give glory to You always.

Forgive us when pride starts to rear it’s ugly head.
Keep us from evil and temptation, through the power of the
Holy Spirit. Without You, we can do nothing.

Let Your blessing be upon us and save us from the hands of
our enemies, so all people will know that You are the LORD God,
and Your Son Jesus is the only name by which man may be saved.

Help us to boldly confess our faith in Jesus as our Savior, and
stand up for the injustices of the poor and oppressed.

Let Peace prevail…Let Peace begin with me.

Thank you for allowing us the privilege of being the only
creatures you have created, who can change their
circumstances by faith and prayer in the name of Jesus.

We offer to you the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
Thank you God, for You are Good, and Your mercy endures forever.

With You all things are possible. You are well able to deliver us,
for You are the Creator of heaven and earth, and Your son Jesus
died to win the victory for us over Satan’s power and death.

We lift up prayers to you for all our brothers and sisters
who are being persecuted for their faith. Help them to remain
steadfast in their faith and not waver or compromise. Pour
out your blessings upon them so they may feel your loving
hands keeping them safe.

Help us to godly citizens, who pray and support our leaders.
Help us to always be respectful and remember they are
chosen by You to lead and guide us. We do not have to fear
them, for they are under Your control, and we trust
all things will work out for good…
and for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Thank you for always listening to our cries for mercy. We
wait expectantly for Your deliverance. Our help comes from
You, our Saviour and Redeemer! Nothing is too hard for you.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

Please join us in the great commission and become a fisher of men.
By this will all men know that you are a disciple of Jesus, if you
have love, one for another. Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
we can overcome evil with good and set the captives free!

Your sister and servant of the LORD,
Valerie Rousseau