Devotionals for September 1, 2023
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READ
Ephesians 5:15-21
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make
the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty
weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make
the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty
weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
REFLECT
A Marriage is … Three
My wife and I had a business several years ago videotaping weddings. There were tender moments of all kinds that we witnessed. Most were traditional weddings with a homily as part of the ceremony. One minister always had the same homily and it was pure truth. After the opening prayer the message always began with “Marriage takes three.” The message was how God should always be at the center of the new marriage relationship and the rewards that go with having God living in your marriage.
But how does that look? Can you love God more than your spouse? Is that right?
On a Christian radio station a few years ago, there was discussion on what to tell a child if they ask “Do you love God more than me?” A hard question for any parent and much more so for a spouse. The answer is that it’s not a question of loving more than… or less than…. The answer is because of..
Draw a large circle on a piece of paper. This is your love for God and God’s love for you. Inside the circle draw smaller circles. These represent your spouse, children, mom, dad, in-laws, and friends. It’s because of God’s love flowing through you that you can love them the way God wants you to. Without the love of God in you, the love you may have to share is temporary at its best, selfish at its worst.
With God’s love, there is no past to hold onto, only a future to hope for, and a present to celebrate with gratefulness and thankfulness.
My wife and I had a business several years ago videotaping weddings. There were tender moments of all kinds that we witnessed. Most were traditional weddings with a homily as part of the ceremony. One minister always had the same homily and it was pure truth. After the opening prayer the message always began with “Marriage takes three.” The message was how God should always be at the center of the new marriage relationship and the rewards that go with having God living in your marriage.
But how does that look? Can you love God more than your spouse? Is that right?
On a Christian radio station a few years ago, there was discussion on what to tell a child if they ask “Do you love God more than me?” A hard question for any parent and much more so for a spouse. The answer is that it’s not a question of loving more than… or less than…. The answer is because of..
Draw a large circle on a piece of paper. This is your love for God and God’s love for you. Inside the circle draw smaller circles. These represent your spouse, children, mom, dad, in-laws, and friends. It’s because of God’s love flowing through you that you can love them the way God wants you to. Without the love of God in you, the love you may have to share is temporary at its best, selfish at its worst.
With God’s love, there is no past to hold onto, only a future to hope for, and a present to celebrate with gratefulness and thankfulness.
APPLY
Q: In your relationship, how is Ephesians 5:17 most poignant?
Q: Is there a limit to the love God has for us? Do we let that unlimited love flow through our marriage relationships?
Q: What are the ways that you, two people being of one flesh, can let God’s love flow through you to your family, you in-laws, relatives, friends, others people in the Body of Christ?
Q: Is there a limit to the love God has for us? Do we let that unlimited love flow through our marriage relationships?
Q: What are the ways that you, two people being of one flesh, can let God’s love flow through you to your family, you in-laws, relatives, friends, others people in the Body of Christ?
SING
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
Dear Father, Son, and Holy Spirit let your love flow through us to all around us, but especially to the one we have made promises. Your love will protect us in times of temptation that cause so many relationships to struggle. Help us to be understanding, forgiving, and gracious as you have been with us.
Dear Father, Son, and Holy Spirit let your love flow through us to all around us, but especially to the one we have made promises. Your love will protect us in times of temptation that cause so many relationships to struggle. Help us to be understanding, forgiving, and gracious as you have been with us.