Ephesians 5:8-20 (NRSV)
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as
children of light– for the fruit of the light is found in all that is
good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose
them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything
that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,”Sleeper, awake! Rise
from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.”
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making
the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish,
but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with
wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you
sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing
and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the
Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
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Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as
children of light
- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right
and true.
- Ephesians 5:8-9 (NRSV)
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PICKING strawberries was the last thing I felt like doing after a busy
week. But the berries glistened in the sun, and I knew the birds and
bunnies would gladly enjoy the berries if they were left on the vine.
I groaned at the thought of how many there were and how long it would
take. Then I remembered that it had been, after all, my idea to plant
them; and it would be my enjoyment to eat them.
I was amazed at how I could complete one row,
bucket filled to the brim, then backtrack to find one berry here that I missed,
two under there,one more over here. And all the while I thought I was finished!
How like our Christian walk is that berry patch! When we think we
have reached a certain level of goodness (our measure, not God’s) and
begin to glory in it, God seems to tap us on the shoulder and say,
“But what about this? And this?”
Walking daily with our Creator involves constant changing, learning,
and growing - gradually becoming more like the Christ we live to
serve. And God works alongside us and within us, helping us to bear
fruit.
Prayer: O God, help us to recognize the people and situations around
us that need our attention and move us to action. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God is glorified when we bear the fruit of love.
– Rosi Braatz (Minnesota, U.S.A.)
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MAY TRUE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ALWAYS RUN FREE ON THE WIND!
Sep 17 2008