Chapter 1
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 – What part of all this do you do? All I see in this passage when it comes to our part in the salvation process is us hearing and believing it. Everything else is Jesus. Make sure you’re not changing that process in anyway. Like thinking if my church attendance grows so will my chances of getting into Heaven. Or thinking you better do 5 good things now to make up for the 1 bad thing you did last night. That type of thinking isn’t anywhere near what scripture says about your relationship with God. Realize and remember that it’s only through Jesus that we can be with God. It’s not because of anything you have done, or didn’t do either. It’s only because of what God did for you through His overflowing, reckless, unchanging love. You didn’t save you, Jesus did. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 537
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:7-10 – Truly I feel like this chapter is one we could break down verse by verse over the next many days and still not be able to dig deep enough to find all the goodness within it! This morning what captured my attention was that from the beginning of time God has been pouring out, lavishing on us, His love and grace for the purpose of uniting us to Him. His purpose from the moment humanity was created was to bring us close to Him. To bring us close to reveal Himself to us and the mystery that surrounds Him. To give us forgiveness of our mistakes. To be our Heavenly Father. Today know God is longing to have you close to Himself, but that longing didn’t just start this morning. Before you woke up, before you were born, even before the world was created, God was longing to be close to you. That’s how deep the Father’s love for us is. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1591
…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints… Ephesians 1:18 – I’ve always enjoyed those home makeover shows where they take a tired looking house and completely transform it. One of the more special parts of the show is the reveal, when the homeowners are led to a certain spot, all while not seeing the house yet. Then the moment comes, when they are told to open their eyes to see the final results, and usually it’s amazement all around! Paul here is desiring the church in Ephesus, and the church of today, to open their eyes and see the final results. To look at all God has done in our life and to grasp the fullness of this hope that we have through Jesus. See how every sin, past/present/future, all has been washed clean by the blood of Jesus. See how we have the promise of the Holy Spirit with us daily. See how we have Heaven and all its wonder in front of us. See how we have life with God this moment and every moment, now and for all eternity. For this is the reality in front of us, the beauty that we can live our lives in. Yet, just like the people in the shows, we could choose to never open our eyes to see the results. We could just live with our eyes closed, just feeling around with our hands, only knowing in part all that we have in Christ. God’s heart though is open eyes. As a result of seeing all we have in Christ, God also longs for a heart from us to serve Him. Take time then to study God’s word to learn more of the promise you have in Christ, also spend time in prayer asking God to help open your eyes like they need to be. Our God has done and is doing great things, let’s choose to see. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2396
Chapter 2
Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 – This is the good news of the Good News that we’re called to share. That those who were once far off from God because of their sin and had no chance of closing that distance on their own can be brought near to God because of Jesus. That’s a beautiful message to hear. Today I challenge you in the middle of whatever you are taking care of today to try to remember what it was like when you heard that good news for the first time. Often we can let life make the extraordinary message of the Gospel become common to us. Today, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. In the course of today remember that you were once a stranger to God’s home yet now you’re a beloved child because of Jesus. Let’s make the Gospel extraordinary again in our life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 538
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18 – He came and preached peace. What exactly does that mean? It means Jesus came to tell us that we can have a peaceful, no fear of wrath or condemnation, relationship with God the Father. That message is for those near and far, meaning this relationship with God is open for all and to all. For them the near was being a Jew, far was a gentile. For us we may think the near would the churchy people and far the ones who’ve made horrible mistakes. Not taking in that church people can make horrible mistakes, even if this was a way for us to understand near/far for us today, it doesn’t matter. All have had a way made for them to God, even if their path starts a little further away. So whether you needed to know you haven’t gone too far to have peace with God or you needed to hear that the person you love that’s walking away from God still hasn’t walked too far away from Him to turn back, the message today is peace for all. All can come to God and find peace with Him because of Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1592
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 – It doesn’t take too long of listening to me teach at church to know that my favorite word in the Bible are the “But’s” of the Bible. Here is a beautiful example of why this is the case. We were once far off from God, dead in our sin, children of wrath, and carrying out the desires of the flesh. We we’re searching for God and we certainty weren’t trying to be with Him. Yet even in that despicable space we were in, God in his great love and mercy chose to see us and saved us. We were dead, yet now we are alive in Christ. We have been saved. Know then that this amazing salvation and rescue came through the work of Jesus on the cross, not the work of your hands. In fact, it was our works that got us to the horrible space we were in and it was only through the holy work of Jesus that allowed us the chance to be saved. Let’s remember that it’s only though the mercy and love of Jesus that any of us have this chance of life from death. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2397
Chapter 3
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us Ephesians 3:20 – Where do you draw the line in your prayers for God to do something awesome? Do you pray for the lost people around the world but don’t pray for your lost parent because you feel like they’d never change? Do you pray for a good day, but keep it very surface level because you don’t think God cares or could actually change your nasty work environment? Whether these fit you or not, there is an epidemic in the Christian culture of limiting God and expecting too little from Him. Yet what is said in our passage today? God is able to do far more than we could ever think or ask. God is a big God, allow your prayers and expectations to begin to match His bigness. It won’t scare Him, but it might shock you when you begin seeing that God is able to handle anything and everything that’s in your life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 539
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles…Ephesians 3:1 – Not only for himself did Paul give all of his being and story to Jesus, but he did all that for the Gentiles who still needed to hear the Gospel. This concept has been one that has helped me stay steadfast in my own walk as well. That yes, I give myself over to Jesus for me and the life I need from Him, but I also am giving myself over to Jesus for you. I am choosing to be fully in on my walk for me and for others. What may help you today stay more steady in your faith life is opening your eyes to the influence you actually have on other’s faith life. Take a moment today to think on all the people that see how you live. Those who are believers and those who aren’t. How you choose to live today for Jesus will touch them some how, let’s make it a good touch. Be sold out for Jesus for you, but be sold out for Jesus for the people you see today as well. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1593
…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 – We see in scripture that a primary role of the church is to make known to the world the message of the Gospel. To make disciples of all nations and baptize them. Here though we see another, more unique, role of the church. To make known the workings of God to the authorities in the heavenly places. What does that mean? We’ll see in chapter six Paul use this same language in reference to angels and demons (fallen angels). Angelic beings are not all-knowing like God is. While Satan will seek to convince you otherwise, he does not know everything and for sure doesn’t know the fullness of what God is doing. We then as the church have the role to display the work of God in this world, even to the angelic beings. To help even the spiritual forces at play here know what God is doing and the depth of His plan of salvation. Where this message settles with me is it reinforces just how special this relationship of salvation is that we have with God. Even the angels can’t fully grasp it and understand the depth of our salvation story. We then are giving the angels another reason to glorify the Lord for they see His grace and love through our stories, and we are giving the demons a reason to shutter because they see from our stories the great power of our God over death and Hell. So let your life with Jesus be seen by the world, by the angels, and by the demons. Let all see what Jesus has done in your story so all can grow into a greater knowledge of our God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2398
Chapter 4
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. Ephesians 4:28 – Talk about a changed life. While many of us possibly can’t relate with the label of thief, we all can see how drastic of a change of life took place here. That not only is the one stealing stoping stealing, but now is working so they can give out to those in need. This is going from a purely selfish life to a purely selfless life. That’s a huge change that only took place because of Jesus. That type of change in lives is what this passage is highlighting. So like with the thief, if you’re a new creation because of Jesus, what needs to change in your story that hasn’t yet? What sin are you still entertaining? What hurt are you still holding onto? What are you holding back from changing? God is leading you towards change because He wants you to become more like Jesus. What needs to change in your story that hasn’t yet? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 540
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 – Of course we are to grow in our faith, but do we see here the area of growth Paul is centering this passage around? It’s the growth of unity within the church. That we can test our personal spiritual development by how deeply we invest in the health of other believers and the nurturing of unity within the church. We see here Jesus is the one that holds the church together and we are then ones to respond in love to each other so the growth can take place. A mature believer craves unity amongst the church. They cringe and detest at anything that would seek to break apart what God has put together. Here then is a good time to check our heart. When was the last time we sought out a way to bring believers more together? Do we remove or add to the things that may cause division? When someone creates distance between themselves and the church, how does that affect us? If seeking and creating avenues for unity is a sign of spiritual maturity, then let’s get after it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1594
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 – We see the direction in earlier verses of this chapter to put off, or take off, our old self. To not walk in the ways we used to before we met Jesus. The final two verses of this chapter help unpack what that actually means and how we could actually do what God is calling us to do in this chapter. Every kind of bitterness we have needs to be let go of. Our fierce, never-ceasing anger and actions of letting that anger out needs to be put away. Any sort of destructive way of speaking about people and things needs to stop. Rather our attitude toward each other should be displaying kindness and warmth. And above all we should have a heart willing to forgive those that have wronged us. For God forgave us of all our wrongs we did towards Him, we then who have been forgiven so greatly ought to give out forgiveness too. This is putting off the old self. Love instead of hate. Forgiveness instead of grudge. Kindness instead of wrath. Any time then that we wonder what our life then should look like now as a believer in Jesus, just look to the example of Jesus’ life we get from scripture. For God loves you as you are, and you can come to Him as you are, but He is calling every follower of His to be changed more into the likeness of Him as they follow Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2399
Chapter 5
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11 – The photo is meant to look that way. When you over expose a photo what takes place is all the light is brought out and all the darkness is pushed out. What happened in today’s photo should happen in our life as we follow Christ. The light that we walk in as a believer should expose, push out, the darkness in our life. No longer should we entertain the darkness like we used to, but should allow the light of Jesus to expose all the lies and deceitfulness the darkness covered up about sin. Just as light shows what’s hidden by the dark, Jesus shows us what’s hidden by sin. Allow that light of Jesus to show you, to expose for you, what’s hidden in the sin we are so tempted by. When we then have seen what’s been hidden, don’t still go after it! That should be obvious, but I’m saying it anyways just to make sure! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 541
…and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:10 – Isn’t this command such a breath of fresh air? What does God ask of us? To dwell on what could be a pleasing to God way to live and then live that way. Yes there will be some do’s and don’t’s attached to this way of living but they’ll have a purpose behind them. Yes, don’t hurt your neighbor, but why? Because it’s not a pleasing to God way to live. Yes, do share what you have with others, but why? Because it a pleasing to God way to live. This passage is reminding us of the freedom we have in Christ. How then can we know what will be pleasing/not pleasing to God? Spend time in His Word and with His Church to learn more about Him. As we grow more familiar with the heart of God, the easier it will be to determine if our future step will be one that pleases Him. Grow then in your knowledge of God and seek to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1595
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 – If you’ve been following my life story these past couple years then you’d known that I’ve become a father, just not in the typical way. My wife and I are foster parents and we’ve adopted one young lady and are in the works of finalizing our second adoption of another young lady. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions and struggle for sure, but a desire Brandi and I have is to show these ladies what love looks like. We want to show them an example of trust, kindness, peace, and most importantly, an example of a follower of Jesus. All with the hopes that they would follow our example in their own lives. As children of God, we are called to follow the example set for us by Jesus and scripture. We have the blessing of seeing the kindness and love of Jesus through the Gospels. We’ve even been able to see the holiness of God throughout all of scripture. Now, as children and followers of God, we are called to be imitators of the example we have been given. To show love like Jesus showed love and be holy as God is holy. Like my daughters who are growing to follow my example of how to treat people and how to follow Jesus, we ought to follow the example of Jesus. It’s such a blessing to see the impact on the world followers of Jesus can have when they follow the example of their Savior. Every day, in every way, let’s be imitators of our God to honor Him and bless the world around us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2400
Chapter 6
So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. Ephesians 6:21 – Being unwillingly to share your needs with others is a sign of pride, not humility. This has been a difficult lesson for me to learn. I thought hiding my struggles from others would actually help them and the relationship we had because then they wouldn’t have to deal with my issues on top of their own. Yet while we may think that’s a super humble thing to do, it’s saying we don’t need anyone else because we got this on our own. That’s like the definition of pride. Paul here is making clear his needs and life to those who he is writing because he is aware we aren’t supposed to go at life alone, hiding our struggles from each other. If you have a difficult time opening up, I completely understand, but let’s begin the process of trying. Life just works better when you use it like it was created to be used. Find one person (to start with) that is trustworthy and share something going on that you typically keep to yourself. Opening up to the right people can open you up to tasting the joy of life with others. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 542
…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel…Ephesians 6:18-19 – This is a different kind of way of praying for me than I normally think of for the people in my life. Typically how I pray for people is if I know of any particular things in their story going on that needs prayer over I’ll pray on that. Here though Paul is asking them to pray for words to be given to him that will open his mouth to share the gospel more. So how could we do this today? Pray for opportunities to come in the life of those you know for them to be able talk about Jesus with others. Pray as well that words will be given to them in those times. Pray that the message will fill them so full they can’t help but speak about Jesus. I ask that you pray this for me and I’ll pray this for you. If our ultimate mission on earth centers around sharing the gospel, let’s start praying for those in our story to have the motivation, opportunities, and overflow of words to carry out that mission. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1596
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 – I love how the chapter we are covering for today’s devotion “just so happens” to be Ephesians 6, which is what we covered all this past week at VBS and what I’m preaching on today. (Know back in November when this devotional plan was made, I didn’t plan for all this to work that way!) Scripture here is telling us to put on the armor of God. That our enemy, who isn’t anyone of flesh and blood, but a spiritual enemy, is planning and scheming on how to take us down. This enemy wants to end our pursuit and worship of Jesus, and most certainly wants to stop our gospel efforts. This enemy has legions of demons at his disposal to cause disaster in our world and our lives. This enemy has plagued the world for centuries and has found some mighty victories in different seasons of our history. While this enemy is powerful, and no one is dismissing that reality, I will say to you what Elisha said to his servant in 2 Kings 6, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The enemy is powerful, but our God is stronger. We have nothing to fear when we choose God’s kingdom and follow Jesus. Put on then God’s armor and His righteousness so that when the enemy does attack you can remain standing. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2401
Daily DEVO 