September 14 | Ephesians 5:15-21 |

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DAILY READING

Ephesians 5:15-21

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REFLECTION

Walk Circumspectly

by Mary Alice McGinnis

In today’s reading, Paul points us to some practical wisdom concerning how to live our lives as Jesus followers.

First, he says, “Be careful how you live.” The New King James version translates this as, “See then that you walk circumspectly.”

Circumspectly means to carefully consider all the circumstances and possible consequences.

How do we walk circumspectly? Look around and notice things all around us.

It is so much easier to just numb out, to ease the pain and discomforts of life. Or we try to take charge of everything and become control freaks. But our time on this earth is short. We have a limited time to make the most of the opportunities, to be looking for ways to be more in tuned with and included in what God is doing.

Look around you. If you were to take inventory of your closest relationships, how would you characterize them? How do you spend your time together?

Paul encourages us to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is a continual filling, not a once and done kind of thing. He shows us that one of the primary ways to do this is through our speech.

“…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Did you notice that this verse says, “from your heart?”

It caused me to pause and think about what is coming from my heart in my day-to-day conversations. How often am I speaking behind someone’s back, finding fault, criticizing, or just speaking disrespectfully? How often am I complaining?

What kinds of conversations do you have? If someone who knew nothing about God, if they had not heard about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, what would they see in how you treat them and others around you?

And how often am I lifting up grateful praise for all the things Jesus has done for me? If I look around me, I can certainly see a lot of negative. But if I raise my eyes, my thoughts and my heart to the Throne of Grace, what do I find there?

Earlier in the book of Ephesians, Paul writes, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.” Ephesians 3:17

A Spirit filled heart is a grateful heart.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

PRAYER

Jesus, please forgive me when I do not reflect upon Your kindness and goodness to me. Forgive me when I use my speech in ways that are not a reflection of that kindness. Fill me through and through with Your Spirit. Help me to walk circumspectly - keeping my eyes on all You have done for me.

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September 13 | Psalm 139:1-12

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DAILY READING

Psalm 139:1-12

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REFLECTION

He Knows

by Jennifer Jerrome

Have you ever said, “If God only knew what I was thinking right now.”

According to verse 4, He does.  

Well, I’ve thought some very unchristian thoughts, so the idea of God knowing the inner workings of my mind is a little unsettling. Sometimes I just want to keep my crazy thoughts to myself and I’ve caught myself telling God, “Excuse me, I’d like to be alone please.”

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" (v. 7)

The answer:  Nowhere.

You can’t escape Him. He loves you too much to lose track of where you are physically, mentally or spiritually. He’s like an all-knowing, all-seeing Life360.

He’s in our heads and it’s a good thing.

He’s not there to control our thoughts, but to give us pause before we do or say things we’ll regret. But even when we do, He’s there to gently remind us of who we are and Whose we are. When our minds and hearts are racing with anxiety, depression, fear, frustration, anger, etc., He’s there to calm us or at least ride the wave with us. Like verse 10 says, "Your hand will guide me and hold me fast."

Father,

Thank you for politely ignoring me when I tell you to leave me alone. You’re not going anywhere and I’m grateful for that. Thanks for always being right there with me. Amen

Addendum Alert!

As He’s done before, God brought the message of this scripture home – literally.

I work at the library and as I was putting a book on the shelf, it caught my eye… Turn My Mourning into Dancing by Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic priest. I was familiar with his work through Richard Rohr and the beloved Mr. Rogers. I decided to take the book home, but it sat on my nightstand for a while. After I thought I was done writing this devotion, God whispered, “I think it’s time to pick up the book.”

Sure enough, I started scribbling notes as soon as I opened it.

“For by trying to hide parts of our story from God’s eye and our own consciousness, we become judges of our own past. We limit divine mercy to our human fears. Our efforts to disconnect ourselves from our own suffering end up disconnecting our suffering from God’s suffering for us (p. 5).

And it didn’t stop there. Page nine said “I let Christ live near my hurts and distractions.”

On page 11, “We are called time and again to discover God’s spirit at work within our lives, within us, amid even the dark moments.” Um, where can I go from your Spirit – NOWHERE. You are WITHIN me.

I have several more chapters to read, but Father Nouwen paints a beautiful picture of our lives with Christ.

PRAYER

God never ceases to amaze. May we allow Him in our minds and hearts to guide our lives, remembering His love isn’t going anywhere. Amen, Amen, Amen.

September 12 | Acts 14:21-28

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DAILY READING

Acts 14:21-28

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REFLECTION

Paul and Barnabas—Heroes of the Faith

by Judy Webb

Are there heroes in your life? Maybe a parent, grandparent, or possibly a teacher. There are always movie superheroes, like Spiderman or The Lone Ranger, and even Mighty Mouse. But do you have memories of a family member who holds hero status for you? Is there someone who was there for you, who rescued you from danger and wasn’t afraid to stand up for you during the worst conditions?

Webster defines a hero as: an illustrious warrior, a person admired for achievements and noble qualities, or one who shows great courage—just to list a few. After reading in the Book of Acts in chapter 14 two real heroes surface, Paul and Barnabas. Paul had just been stoned by a crowd that had been worked into a frenzy by Jews from Antioch and Iconium. Paul was left by this group of thugs, thinking he was dead. But the disciples had gathered around him, and he got up and went back to the city.

Paul and Barnabas left the next day, for Derbe, where they preached the gospel and won many disciples. The beating did not stop him from the work God appointed him to do. It seems to have strengthened his resolve to tell everyone about Jesus.

“They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:1b-22a)

They visited these new churches and appointed Godly and mature men as leaders and elders through prayer and fasting. This first missionary journey took them to Perga where they preached the Word and then continued to Attalia and from there to Antioch. (vs 25-26) In Antioch they called a meeting to report and celebrate the things God had done with them and told how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

The Believer’s Bible Commentary reads: "It was not what they had done for God, but what God has been pleased to accomplish through them." We too, can be heroes of faith when we tell others about God and share our story with them, always pointing to God’s faithfulness and mercy and love.

PRAYER

Oh, Heavenly Father,

Give us courage and opportunity to speak your truth to others. Come, Holy Spirit and show us how to tell others our stories. For our stories are valuable and a great testimony to those you want to claim.