Ephesians 5:8-11

For Reading and Meditation:     Isaiah 3:1-11

Now we pause to ask ourselves how this fifth Beatitude, when practised, engenders within us good mental and spiritual health. Psychologists have shown that those who lack the qualities of mercy and compassion are more likely to develop physical problems. Harsh, judgmental attitudes may bring a sense of satisfaction to...

For Reading and Meditation:     Colossians 1:1-14

Yesterday we saw that when we make it a goal to hunger and thirst after happiness, we get nowhere, but when we make it our goal to hunger and thirst after righteousness, we get everywhere. Once again Jesus touches on an aspect of good mental health when He teaches us through these words to focus on right goals....

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Peter 3:13-22

As Christians we ought never to forget that the message of the Bible is addressed primarily to the understanding; it enables us to understand life. Because of the Bible, we are able to give a reason for the hope that is within us. The psalmist found the truth of this. In the sanctuary he discovered an explanation for...

Ephesians 5:11-21

This chapter is a call to Christ like living. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children" is its keynote. This means that sin is to be avoided. There are vices that are not even to be named by those who belong to Christ; they are so vile, so loathsome. It is a black list, indeed, that is given in the fifth verse - people who have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of...

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. § “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. § And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of...

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. § God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. § The Word was God … In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. § If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us...

Be imitators of God as dear children. § Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. § Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.When the kindness and the love of...

You know how we exhorted … and charged every one of you … that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. § You may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of...

Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. § You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.Darkness has blinded his eyes. § Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.The dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. § Love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.The way of the wicked is like...