- 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 