Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. “God in Christ forgave you.” (vs. 32) This is the most joyous statement! Your sins are forgiven by the mercy and grace of God. Thank God for his grace and forgiveness!

Adore. Let’s praise God today for being a God of grace and forgiveness. We don’t deserve it nor can we earn it. It is a free gift, paid for with the precious blood of our Lord Jesus.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11-12

Confess. The price God paid, in order to forgive us our sins, was the death of Jesus on the cross. So great a sacrifice is difficult to contemplate. It brings into the light the sinfulness of our own nature. How little it would cost us to forgive our family, friends and neighbors for their trespasses. And still, we don’t. Confess to God today any unforgiveness you hold onto. Ask Him to help you forgive others as He has forgiven you. 

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. In Chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, Paul tells us that we are God’s “beloved children” and asks us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” God has given us esteemed status as His children. We are beloved. We are so loved that Christ went to the cross, sinless and perfect, to die for us. Thank God today for the greatest gift of all: the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Adore. Let’s also praise God for the sacrifice of Jesus. Take some time to adore Jesus, the lamb who was slain to save you.

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth 
and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Revelation 5:13

Confess. In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” We are the recipients of the greatest love. Jesus laid down His life for us, that we might be reconciled to God. Hallelujah! Reflecting on such love prompts in us a small voice saying, “Why didn’t you love someone the way He loved you?” Listen to that voice, and go to God with a humble heart, confessing the times you failed to love others the way He loves you.

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. Last week, in Ephesians 4:21, Paul told us that “the truth is in Jesus.” In this week’s scripture, Ephesians 4:25, Paul urges each of us to “speak the truth with his neighbor.” Let’s thank God that we need look no further than Jesus to find the truth and that our purpose in life is so clearly stated. 

Adore. Let’s adore God today for His truth. The truth expressed in human form as Jesus. The truth that brought us grace and forgiveness. Praise God!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, 
full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Confess. We know the truth. We have God’s word in our hands; we have God’s spirit in our hearts. And yet, we sin. Confession is a time to reflect on our sin and ask forgiveness. In light of the truth God has given us, we can repent with the assurance that God loves us and will forgive us.

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. In verse 25, Paul reminds us again that “we are members one of another.” The New Living Bible translates the second half of verse 25 this way, “Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” You are not alone. You are part of the Body of Christ. What you do matters to the work of His Church. What glorious news! Today, thank God for giving you brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank God that you are not alone. Thank God that He has given you purpose.

Adore. Let’s adore God today for His perfect plan. He has adopted us into His family, given us purpose and most of all given us Jesus Christ who took on our sin so that we may be forgiven.

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you;
I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, 
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Isaiah 25:1

Confess. This week we are reminded that we are part of God’s family and that we have a sacred purpose to love others and share the gospel. That reminder should prompt us to confess that we often do not love others as God loves us. Ask God for forgiveness for those times, confident in the knowledge that He awaits your confession with open arms.

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. Paul gives specific guidance on how to live at the end of Chapter 4 and then summarizes his thoughts in verse 5:1 by saying, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Thus, we can look at the character traits Paul praises and know that they describe God. God speaks the truth, does not sin, values honest work, speaks only in ways that are good for building up and giving grace to those who hear. God is kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. Wow! Today, pick one of those attributes of God and thank Him for it!

Adore. Let’s also praise God for His character. How blessed we are to have a God that is kind, tenderhearted and forgiving!

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,  and His mercy is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!

Psalm 145:8-10 NLT

Confess. Reflecting on God’s character reveals where our own character falls short. Confess to God the areas where you choose to sin rather than strive to live a Godly life. Remember, your confession is heard by our God who is kind, tenderhearted and forgiving!

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. In the second part of Verse 30 in this week’s scripture Paul says, “by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” What a beautiful reminder Paul gives us in the midst of his instruction. As believers, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and that seal cannot be broken. Thank God today for sealing you with the Holy Spirit and for His promise of eternal life.

Adore. Let’s adore God today because He is eternal. He is, He was, and He is to come.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:28

Confess. Isaiah 40:28 tells us that God does not faint or grow weary. Unfortunately, we do. And when we are tired and weary, we sometimes turn away from God and toward false idols we believe offer rest and peace. But only God provides true peace. For the times you have turned away from God, repent and ask for forgiveness. God will give you the peace you seek.

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:25-5:5 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then read the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:25-5:5. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. This week’s scripture focuses on how we are to live when we put on our new self. Here, Paul speaks powerfully and practically to our everyday lives providing us with guidance and caution. Let’s thank God for caring about the way we live and for loving us even though He knows we will sin. Thank Him for giving us the Holy Scriptures, where we find truth.

Adore. Today, let’s adore God for His faithfulness. He cares so deeply for us that He tells us plainly how to live because He knows the suffering our sin will bring. 

The Lord is good and does what is right;
He shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

Psalm 25:8-9 NLT

Confess. Knowing God’s desires for us sheds light on the times we don’t live according to His will. The good news is that Jesus paid the price for our sin and if we humbly seek forgiveness, God’s faithful to forgive. Today, turn to God and confess your sin. 

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.  But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:17-24 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:17-24. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. In this week’s scripture, Paul calls us to live differently, to take off our old self and put on a new self. There are not many times in our lives when we are given a fresh start. This is the greatest offer of a fresh start ever because it’s eternal. Thank God today for this gracious gift and thank Him for the ways He helps you to achieve it, by giving you His Spirit, His Word, and by giving you brothers and sisters in Christ to support you and hold you accountable. God is so good! Thank Him!

Adore. Let’s praise God for who He is. This week’s scripture tells us three important attributes of God: God is truth; He is righteous; He is Holy. 

All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, 
and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Jude 1:25

Confess. The beauty of confession can be found in the freedom it provides. As you ask God for forgiveness, do so with a sincere heart and a humble spirit, but also with the knowledge that God WILL forgive you and that you will be free of the shame and guilt that keeps you captive.

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.  But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:17-24 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:17-24. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. When Paul describes the likeness of God he says, “in true righteousness and holy.” The word holy has many synonyms. Some are: divine, hallowed, humble, pure, righteous, faithful, good, perfect and upright. Thank God today for being holy. And for not only being divine and pure, but for also being humble and faithful. 

Adore. Let’s adore God for His holiness today. And let’s praise Him that while he is divine, pure and perfect He still loves us and wants to be in relationship with us!

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Isaiah 57:15

Confess. God’s holiness exposes our sinfulness. It is natural to turn toward God and confess our inadequacies. Today, ask God to forgive your sin. Turn toward him and renew your relationship to our Holy God.

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.  But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:17-24 ESV

Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:17-24. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.

 Thank. Our new self is “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Our God is righteous. He is free from sin; He is just, honest, and trustworthy. How thankful we should be that in a world where justice and honesty can be elusive, we can look to a God who is righteous. Thank God today for His righteousness.

Adore. Only God is without sin. All others fall short of His glory. It is so comforting to know that our God can commit no wrongs, make no mistakes. Today, praise God for his righteousness. 

I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 7:17 NIV

Confess. God’s character is perfect. Though we may try to be sinless, we fall short. Ask God for forgiveness for the times you have sinned. You have been forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus. All you need to do is turn toward God and ask. 

Others.

Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.