- 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
Daily DEVO 