10/01               Matthew 6:14-15

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

HARD

Jesus takes a hard line about forgiveness-we give to get.  I must look at my life and those people that I don’t get along with and clean up my act.  When I do that I find that forgiveness is given to me at the rate that I forgive.  Think.  Change.  Forgive.  Be forgiven. 

09/30               Ephesians 5:2 

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 

LIFE

All of our life is a canvas for the Lord to use us as His emissary.  We are to go and tell.  Our life is a life of sacrifice of obedience to the Lord Jesus.  Take your cares your troubles and your woes to the Lord and he will equip you to meet the needs of those around you.  We are the Lord’s servants.  We serve Him by serving those around us.  Plant your life and care for those around you. 

09/29               Ephesians 5:1 

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 

DO

Do the things Christ is calling us to do!  Be the type of person that we know the Lord created us to be.  It will require our full attention.  It will take time.  It will require us to be harsh in judging ourselves and lenient in judging others.  Love one another. 

09/28               Ephesians 4:31 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

YOU

You change the way you are acting.  Change the way you deal with others.  Let Jesus reign in your heart and equip you to be kind and good to those around you.  Love one another is the call.  Be at Jesus beck and call.  Do unto others as you would have them do to you. 

09/27               Ephesians 4:30 

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.  Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 

CHILD

You are now a child of God therefore let us act like a child of God.  Inside you may be swimming in deep water changing your thought life but outside follow the Lord.  There is an old saying “fake it till you make it.”  Now we cannot be Christ like without Christ changing us but we can begin to act like what we are becoming.  Jesus has claimed us so you claim Him. 

09/26               Ephesians 4:29 

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 

BE

We don’t change easily but we can change our language immediately.  This is an immediate blessing to your brothers and sisters in Christ for they know if you can change they can certainly change.  Be blessed and be a blessing. 

09/25               Ephesians 4:28 

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 

CALL

There is a call from the Holy Spirit for us to change.  We have to let Him change us from the wanton, craven individual that we were to the new creature in Christ that we have become.  There is a lag in our new spiritual state and the old sinner that we were and the sad truth is that we were gifted sinners and now we are babes in Christ.  Come and grow with me says the Lord.  Come and study in the school of spiritual obedience.  Please do.  Let Jesus change you. 

09/24               Ephesians 4:24-27 

Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 

STOP

Stop condemning others.  Do not let the world pull you into constant negativism.  Be encouraged by the presence of the living Lord Jesus.  Let Him have your heart and your mind and He will put a stop to your anger and remove the devil from having a foothold in you.  You cannot hold hands with Jesus and dabble in evil. 

09/23               Ephesians 4:23 

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 

RENEW

Spend time with Jesus and the Word.  It will renew your mind.  The Lord will pinpoint your sinful activities and will faithfully guide you out of the darkness into the light of Christ.  Be encouraged today.  Do not fear because you can change and Jesus will see you through.  Rejoice in the Lord always for Jesus loves you. 

09/22               Ephesians 4:21-22 

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 

YOU

You are charged with the responsibility for right living.  How do we do that?  Focus your heart and mind upon Jesus.  Read the Word daily.  Digest the Word and pray over the Word.  The Holy Spirit will work in you to deal with your old sinful nature.  It is a struggle to throw off the burden of sin that we put ourselves under and without the power of God it is impossible to deal with sin in our life.  Do it today.  Read the Word.  Pray the Word.  Let Jesus have control of your heart and your mind and He will work out through your actions to change from your old life to His new life.  There is real power in the blood of Jesus as we let Him anoint our daily life and inner thinking.  Rejoice for the Lord God will see you through.