DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-11-01
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Ephesians 5:8-10
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁸ You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light ⁹ and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, ¹⁰ as you try to please the Lord.

APPLICATION: I had a pastor who said that he preached the same sermon repeatedly for a few Sundays. Finally, a deacon approached him and asked if there were other sermons in his repertoire. To which the pastor responded that he was reserving the other sermons until he was sure that the congregation received and understood his current sermon! Sounds funny, but I believe we need constantly reminding of the Word of God, because from all appearances, I bet that God must question whether we really did ‘get it’ the first time! Paul saw the need for helping the Ephesian church understand from someone looking in from the outside, how it appeared like they really needed reminding of the teachings of God. God knew that we would need reminding, so He had this teaching of Paul included in the Bible for us. So, when we talk to a non-Christian about what we believe and why it may seem like we act differently to the world, perhaps they may wonder ‘What change?’, since they are seeing the same old man. So let me explain: In my life before Christ, I was following the ways of the world – a world without Christ. I was no axe murderer, but I just had no regard for the things, and ways, of the Lord. When I met the Lord and committed myself to following Him for the rest of my days here on earth, He showed me a ‘new life’ – one patterned after His holy and righteous teachings and example. This inspired a completely new life for me, for most of the things I used to do, were all inspired by Satan and/or his earthly cohorts. And I soon learned that these things needed a special touch from God so that those I come into contact with would be reminded of everything they heard about Jesus Christ. Here are some examples given by Paul about what our newly committed life should look like, and in ‘red’ font, see the things that Paul warns us might indicate our former life – without Christ:
~*~ Let love be your guide.  Vs 2; Say how thankful you are. Vs 4; Act like people of the light and make your light shine. Vs 8&9; Be good and honest and truthful, as you try to please the Lord. Vs 9&10;
~*~ Don’t let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy – Vs 3; Don’t use dirty or foolish or filthy words – Vs 4; Don’t let anyone trick you with foolish talk. Vs 6; Don’t take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Vs 11

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Be good and honest and truthful, as you try to please the Lord.

PRAYER: Lord I believe that only You could change the way we once lived, into the way that You want us to live. I believe that anytime we find ourselves drifting back into our old ways, it becomes clear that we are also drifting away from our relationship with You. Please Lord, draw us close to You and keep us humble before You until You call us home to glory. May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to You at all times oh Lord, so that Your name will be lifted high in everything about us, all for Your glory and praise. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!