1-17-17 Daily E-Votional

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Ephesians 4:17-32

It was a little tiny spiral bound notepad.

My girlfriend invited me to walk with her to the drugstore. The store was located on the corner diagonally across from the boundary line my mother had given me. In my head, I worked out that I was with my friend and we would be safe and it really wasn’t outside the boundary line. We watched for traffic and felt pretty accomplished in navigating through the intersection as we watched the lights as they turned from red to green.

While we were in the store, I noticed that my friend picked up something and then put it in her pocket. I figured it was free and I wanted one as well. My girlfriend said something about she needed to get home and our trip was ended very quickly.

A little bit after I returned home, my mother called me down from my bedroom. That’s when she told me that I needed to go and apologize to the store owner for taking something that wasn’t mine. It took me some moments to see any truth in what she was saying. While I had some questions as to whether or not the notebook was free, I also knew in my heart that things in stores weren’t free. I should have known when I saw my friend acting secretive in what she was doing, that she was doing something that wasn’t right. I also was startled at the fact that my mother somehow knew where I had gone and what I had done. How can this be, I thought?

I did go to the drugstore and returned the notebook and apologized to the store owner. The things I learned. I vowed never to walk in that store ever again. I knew that there was a larger community looking out for me, and over me. I learned a difficult lesson about working out something in my head to see something as being right, when in my heart I knew that it was wrong. I’m thankful for those who hold us accountable.

4:17   And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd.  18 They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself.  19 They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. 

20   But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ!  21 My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus.  22 Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life,  23 a life renewed from the inside 24 and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. 

25   What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. 

26   Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry.  27 Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. 

28   Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. 

29   Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. 

30   Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. 

31   Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.  32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. 

Paul’s words say that we have been set free from the old life, so there is no reason to live in the old way of life anymore. To let old ways of life back into a new life will most certainly invite evil to have an opportunity. Paul says that things like lying, losing ones temper, stealing, corrupt speech, bitterness, and an unforgiving spirit all give way for evil to have the lead.

What are some early childhood lessons that have stayed with you? When have you tried to rationalize something in your mind so it would seem okay? Have a day!

In Conversation with a child today:   Ask a child to tell you what happens when people lie

Remember in Prayer: Heidi, Kristin, Barbara, Bart, Karen, Terecia, Jim, Angela, Tim, Heidi, Jeremy, Dick, Diane, Frank & Jean, Carolyn & family, Dennis, Barb, Sue, Michael Paul’s mother, Vivian

And those experiencing loss – family & friends of: Nita, Nancy, Edward, Doris, Angela

Prayer:   We love you, O God, and we thank you for this day. We thank you for each moment and for guiding us safely through. Forgive us for those moments when we lie to ourselves and lie to you. May our hearts and minds be ready for the new things you will bring our way today. Amen

Your E-Votional Servant 

Lucia

© 2017 Lucia Oerter

All rights reserved

Email Lucia

The Message Bible – contemporary translation

A ministry at Pines Presbyterian Church, 12751 Kimberley Lane, Houston, TX

 

 

Explore posts in the same categories: God Stuff