Five Days in Ephesians

Day One - Home

“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honour your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honour your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

Here God makes a promise to everyone “if you honour you father and mother things will go well for you” and you can rely on this as God doesn’t break his promise.

This promise doesn’t just relate to children, it’s for everyone. Your father and mother are still your parents whether you're five or 40, they still want the best for you and they want to help and encourage you. Parents you need to encourage and train your children in the way of the Lord.

This week start to try and enhance your relationship with your parents and allow them to help and encourage you.

Prayer

Thank you for giving us our loving parents and help us to recognise they love us and that you will keep your promise, Amen.

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Day Two - Work/ School

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favourites." Ephesians 6:5-9

Work and school are hard places to be as you must behave and act appropriately to please those above you, but n that we need to remember that if we work hard and obey these people God will reward us for the good we do. So we should be working with enthusiasm and hunger to accomplish the work/job like Jesus would have done.

Today think about the way we approach work/school and try and go in with a positive attitude and be enthused in what we do.

Prayer

Help us this day to approach our work in a way that reflects you, Amen.

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Day Three - The Armour of God

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17

God is here to help us, he’s almighty and has “mighty power”, so we need to obey him like our parent and follow his commands. We need to put on this armour as we need it to face “mighty powers of the dark world” that will try and tempt us and draw us away from God.

We need to accept his help and clothe ourselves with:

The belt of truth, allowing us to give glory to him
The breastplate of righteousness, allowing us to be just and honourable
The shoes of peace keeping us calm from the toes to the head to provide the goodness of Christ
The shield of faith, protecting our togetherness in Christ and protecting us from the offence of the enemy
The salvation as your helmet knowing God has suffered so you are forgiven , protecting your knowledge
The sword of spirit, which is the word of God empowering everything we do.
Engage with the armour of God and put it on to face this day, week, month, year.

Prayer

God help us to put on this armour of God as you have given it to us to resist the enemy, Amen

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Day Four - Pray

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” Ephesians 6:18-20

Yesterday we put on the armour of God as we remembered God gives us the power we need to face anything. However we need to remember to connect with God and stay in touch with him as we can’t do it on our own. God taught us to pray, pray to him that he will help us, we can also thank him for what he has done through prayer.

Here Paul tells us to pray persistently and on every occasion whenever and where ever we are. We also need to pray not only for ourselves but also for those in places where people are working and sharing the good news of God, like Paul was, even when he was in chains.

A way to focus your prayers i to create a prayer journal where you note down all the things you are thankful for and the things you need help with, as well as things you are sorry for and prayers for our world. When you look back this allows you to see what prayers God has answered and this is encouraging.

Prayer

Today we pray that we will stay in contact with you and help us to lift up to you all the things we are thankful for as well as those things we find hard, Amen

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Day Five - Relationships with Others

“To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.

Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 6:20-24

As Paul gets to his final greetings he talks about sending Tychicus to let the people know how Paul is getting on and how other Christians are getting along. Paul is helping the Christians by encouraging them with stories of where the Christian church is thriving.

Good relationships with other Christians is good, it encourages you, and meeting up can help friendship and sharing testimonies as well as everyday stories can encourages others and can make it easier when you’re going through hard times.

I’ve been able to do this as we have started a group in school which provides an environment to encourage one another. In the group we are able to talk about the week and issues in the world, as well as praying for each other before we go back out in to the college. It creates a sense that we’re not all alone in our faith at school.

Prayer

Thank you for other people who are around us and who can help us on our journey with you. Paul ends with this “Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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