MAY 30 | Ephesians 4:1-6

---

DAILY READING

Ephesians 4:1-6

---

REFLECTION

Walk in Unity, Walk in Love

By Diane Ward

"As a prisoner for the LORD then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Ephesians 4:1)

The world watched as Pope Leo XIV spoke of peace, unity, and love. Someday the King of Kings will bring love and unity to the world.  He will come at a time unknown to us. We long for that day!

Paul admonished us to unify and be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another even as Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32) As much as possible and as far as it depends on us, we should live in peace and unity with everyone. (Romans 12:18) "Differences do not need to become difficulties, unity does not require uniformity."

Ephesus, much like our world today was a city where politics were interwoven. Paul was challenged to unify the people with qualities of spirit that cannot be bought or sold. Political chaos takes its toll, leaving family and friends at a distance from us. Jesus said, “a house divided cannot stand.”  (Matthew 12:25.)

The world’s political atmosphere is dangerous.  It seeks to upend unity. Our fears must go to a higher power. (Romans 13:1-King James version) “Let every soul be subject unto the higher power for there is no power but of God. Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. All authority comes from God; the powers that are ordained of God.”

To submit is sometimes hard for me. While this devotional has not been easy to write, I am grateful for the opportunity to be reminded whose authority I submit to.

PRAYER

“Father, thank you for teaching us to be humble. Thank you for your forgiveness as we come to you in submission willingly.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DIANE WARD

I love to research and learn something new I hadn’t considered. From 2015 through present, I continue to write on fifth Fridays. Bless us all who write and share the Word of God! We never know who might find peace and grace along the way, including us!

---

MAY 29 | 1 JOHN 3:11-16

---

DAILY READING

1 John 3:11-16

---

REFLECTION

Love Changes Everything 

by Judy Webb

“Do not be surprised brothers and sister, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13)

We experience this hatred every time we watch news clips or listen to a podcast; hate is everywhere. It consumes our culture and takes away from our peace. And this, my friends, is Satan in action. The only thing to combat this stifling atmosphere is to try and be the change needed. Look for the good in people and celebrate it! When we look, we will find it.

I was watching one of the nightly news episodes which closes out each broadcast. The purpose is to highlight the good news, the unexpected behavior of one individual toward another; we call it loving one another. While watching one of these recordings, I was reminded of a time when a complete stranger exhibited unconditional love to my family. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.” (v.16).

Our daughter, about 2 years old at the time, wandered from the back yard into the front. Normally this isn’t a big issue, but this day was different. There was a party going on down the street and cars were parked, lining the road. This 2-year-old became curious and peeked out between the parked cars then darted into oncoming traffic. A woman, a stranger, was on the sidewalk and saw her step-in front of one of the approaching vehicles. Without even thinking she jumped in front of her and pushed her to the curb –No Greater Love.

A person in the area witnessed her bravery and scooped up our little girl. They brought her to our front porch and told us what had happened. The stranger (angel) was nowhere to be seen. Was that person possibly you?

When I think about this event of almost 50 years now, I realize God interceded with love. I recognize how his plan for this little girl could go on and how she could do the work He had planned for her to do – Kingdom work!

I often wonder about this woman, this Guardian Angel. I wish I could thank her and get to know her. I would like to share how her actions, without regard to her own safety, saved us from a lifetime of grief and guilt. I would love to explain to her how that one act of selflessness may have changed the world – for the better. Cause that’s what love does. It changes the world for the better.

Do you have a similar story? Will you share it? The world needs to hear about love which changes everything. Comment below or email me.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, Help us to recognize how love really can change everything. Your Son is the best example of this, of the selflessness of real love. We wait for the day when love is all we know and need. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

---

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

---

May 28 | 1 John 2:28-3:3

---

DAILY READING

1 John 2:28-29,

1 John 3:1-3

---

REFLECTION

Continue in Him

By Beth Voltmann

"And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears

we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming."

(1 John 2:28)

He is coming! My heart skips a beat just reading that. I want to be confident and unashamed when Jesus returns for his people. I want the same for my four grown children and spouses. I want that for my grandchildren. And, I want that for you as well.

Our passage says that the Father has lavished such great love on us that he calls us his children. We are children of God! What does that look like in this world of sin? How do we glorify and reflect God in our thoughts, words, and actions?

One key lies in the verse above. God the Father gave His one and only Son as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Notice the encouragement, “And now, dear children, continue in him...”.

John’s writings inspire and teach us how to live as the children of God. He used the Greek term menō, translated here as “continue”, to train believers to walk in righteousness and purity. Here are some more examples from scripture of ways menō is used to define a committed life of faith:

• John 8:31(NIV) – Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."

• John 15:4 (ESV) – “Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."

• 1 John 2:24 (NIV) - As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

  
  

  Hold to – Abide – Remain – Continue

Am I...holding to the teachings of Jesus? Abiding in the Vine? Allowing the message that I heard from the beginning to remain? Continuing in Him?

As I reflect, I am reminded of this exhortation from Paul, translated from a different Greek verb, but reinforcing the precept:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving me. I repent for the times I have wandered away, and I ask that you would, yet again, purify my heart. Continue to teach me what it means to be your child. I pray for my family, my friends, and the entire family of faith. May our hope be in Jesus and may we be confident and unashamed at his coming. To God be the glory!

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.