October 28: Ephesians 2:19-22
Key Verse: Ephesians 2:22
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Devotion:
What Jesus did for us about 2000 years ago changed the world, not just for the people at the time but for all people all around the world who are ready to listen to the gospel – the good news. Because Jesus did what He did, we have become members of one big family under Him as our chief cornerstone…
What is a cornerstone? We lack the real knowledge of the importance of a cornerstone nowadays because buildings are built up around concrete posts, plinths and on concrete foundations. Back then the cornerstone would be the stone laid down in the beginning upon which the house would be built, not balancing on a single stone in the corner but around which the whole house would grow. If that cornerstone was not secure, it could take down the whole building if it shifted!
With Christ as our cornerstone, our building becomes purposeful and stronger, being holy at its core and built upon righteousness and truth. That is the importance of the cornerstone – the rest of the house is going to be fashioned on that stone. Without the core of truth and righteousness the Holy Spirit could not dwell within us and we would not have the hope and guidance He gives us.
God knew it could all be possible if He allowed Jesus to die for our sins and have us forgiven at our very cores. That is the wonder and splendour of what Christ has done for us. Accepting that as the truth it is gives us the best starting place to build the best possible version of us in which the Holy Spirit can dwell!
Points to Ponder:
Do you sometimes think you are too corrupt for God?
Jesus has cleaned you from the inside so the Holy Spirit can dwell in you!
October 27: Ephesians 6:10-20
Key Verse: Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Devotion:
What were you taught as a child; were you taught to fight back when someone did something wrong against you, or were you taught to try and make peace or turn away from things done against you? I think I was taught something in between because my parents tried to teach me God’s ways of doing things but I went to a boarding school where we had to fight back or we would get beaten up… so I saw both sides of the proverbial coin and had to make my own decisions as I grew up.
I am truly thankful my parents did teach me God’s ways because I have also seen many of my friends get into big trouble for retaliating when things did not go well. When we retaliate we tend to go much further than we should because our feelings get the better of our common sense and we do more than we at first think we should. That seems to be the way of the world and we are taught this on many fronts, from films to sayings and even our governments!
God wants us to put our trust in Him and allow Him to protect and guide us when we face adversities in our lives. It does not mean turning away medical help because He may be the one who has brought the right doctor to the right place at the right time to treat you and help you stay alive! I know I have had a few incredible doctors turn up to help me just at the right time over the past few years!
We do have to put our full trust in God though and not just a little bit here and a little bit there. God can do so much more when we give Him all the time and chances He needs. He is working things out for our good and for our betterment. We must trust Him by always trying to keep with the truth because that is where He is. We need to be ready to obey Him and trust He will guide us. Always turn to the bible to start that conversation with God because He has already told us so much in those words! Jesus started, finish by obeying Him and praying for more guidance at all times.
Points to Ponder:
Who do you turn to to find the truth?
Will you keep looking in your bible for more advice?
October 26: Ephesians 6:1-9
Key Verse: Ephesians 6:5
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Devotion:
When we talk about love, we don’t tend to look at the whole picture but focus on the feelings of the here and now instead. Love encompasses so much more than the here and now and we need to open up our horizons to see just how awesome it really is! God has a full grasp of what love is and tried to show us through what Jesus did for us; we need to step up and take notice!
When God talks about love it is not limited to a feeling between two people, nor between family members, siblings or any other earthly pair – God talks about love through the whole experience of the world and everything in it. When you see a wonderful vision, maybe the autumnal colours of the trees, a gentle waterfall, a roaring river, a bleak mid-winter scene… whatever raises those feelings within you is just one aspect of what love encompasses.
Jesus wants us to take full grasp of love in our lives and share it with all the people around us not limiting its spread of meaning. Jesus laid down His whole world so we could know His love for us. We should be willing to go to extraordinary lengths to make sure we can experience a bit of that love He shared with us!
Love must be shared with the most unlikely people and in the strangest of places before we can begin to comprehend the gravity of this thing called love. We need to cast aside our limitations and our expectations allowing God to guide us through the Holy Spirit as we come to terms with what we just don’t know!
Points to Ponder:
How do you describe love?
Will you allow God to guide you toward a greater and deeper love?
October 25: Ephesians 5:25-33
Key Verse: Ephesians 5:30
for we are members of his body.
Devotion:
When we look at the kind of relationship God wants us to have with others, we need to look at the relationship Christ has with the church. Nothing got in the way from allowing Christ to be our Saviour. Nothing was able to stop Him from doing what He wanted to do for us, not even death!
We think of earthly things in such a final and short-lived way whereas Christ looked at things from an eternal point of view. He was not bound by the finality of life as we think of it. He was not bound by the rules and regulations imposed by mankind or even the religious people – Christ freed us from all of this so we can spent eternity with Him in Heaven!
When we look at these words describing the kind of relationship husbands should have for their partners we see an eternal dimension which we don’t tend to look at when we think of relationships. Christ wants us to set aside our limiting factors and think more of the spiritual factors which will last forever.
We need to step aside from our physical limitations when we think of relationships and focus on the spiritual love which goes far beyond the physical. Why should we limit ourselves by earthly measures when Christ clearly did not set any limits on love. He broke the mould and set us free by showing us there is more to love than physical. Spend some of your earthly time with God today in a spiritual way as you pray and wait for answers!
Points to Ponder:
Are you limiting your love by earthly standards?
Do you know Christ never limited Himself?