Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Ephesians 4:17-32
Set – Ecclesiastes 7; Ephesians 4
Go! – Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4:17-32
17 Therefore, as a witness of the Lord, I insist on this: that you no longer walk in the outsiders’ ways—with minds devoted to worthless pursuits. 18 They are blind to true understanding. They are strangers and aliens to the kind of life God has for them because they live in ignorance and immorality and because their hearts are cold, hard stones. 19 And now, since they’ve lost all natural feelings, they have given themselves over to sensual, greedy, and reckless living. They stop at nothing to satisfy their impure appetites.20 But this is not the path of the Anointed One, which you have learned. 21 If you have heard Jesus and have been taught by Him according to the truth that is in Him, 22 then you know to take off your former way of life, your crumpled old self—that dark blot of a soul corrupted by deceitful desire and lust— 23 to take a fresh breath and to let God renew your attitude and spirit. 24 Then you are ready to put on your new self, modeled after the very likeness of God: truthful, righteous, and holy.
25 So put away your lies and speak the truth to one another because we are all part of one another. 26 When you are angry, don’t let it carry you into sin. Don’t let the sunset with anger in your heart or 27 give the devil room to work. 28 If you have been stealing, stop. Thieves must go to work like everyone else and work honestly with their hands so that they can share with anyone who has a need. 29 Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them. 30 It’s time to stop bringing grief to God’s Holy Spirit; you have been sealed with the Spirit, marked as His own for the day of rescue. 31 Banish bitterness, rage and anger, shouting and slander, and any and all malicious thoughts—these are poison. 32 Instead, be kind and compassionate. Graciously forgive one another just as God has forgiven you through the Anointed, our Liberating King.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Something evil happens today that spoils My greatest creation. A vicious rumor spreads like wildfire that says you cannot suppress the natural desires of humankind. That rumor says every teenager will engage in illicit sex. Every child will steal and lie. Every adult will dabble in lust and pornography to satisfy their desires outside of their marriage vows.
The rumors are not true! I created humankind above that. To say you will succumb to the basic desires of all animals means you are the same as every other animal on the planet. You are not! I created you as higher beings. I created you with the ability to choose right from wrong, good from bad. I created you to choose to follow the path I lay out before you.
If you say you cannot control the base desires of your body, you lower yourself to the level of the creatures I commanded you to control and care for. You lower yourself to the level of your pets, the cats and dogs that run your streets and live in your homes. You are better than that. You can choose your actions. You can discipline your body and refuse to bow to the actions that will cause discord and dissension within society.
The other animals across the globe exist as part of the global ecosystem to provide food for the rest of My creation. From the smallest protoplasm to the largest sea and land creatures, each becomes a meal for another of My creation…except for humankind. I created you to care for the rest of creation. You sit at the pinnacle of creation.
All other creature exist for you. You use their hides for warmth and shelter. You eat their flesh for nourishment. You use their strength to assist in your labor. You train them and keep them for companionship. You control the rest of My creation because you have the ability to refrain from acting on the base desires and instincts that drive the rest of the animal kingdom.
When you fail to constrain those desires, when you act without restraint, when you selfishly fulfill whatever drive you please, you reduce yourself to the level of the rest of creation instead of maintaining your place at its head. I did not give you intelligence to waste it. I did not give you the freedom of choice to watch you abuse others for your selfish desires. Go back to the basics of why I created you in the first place and you’ll find your real purpose.
I created you to care for My creation and to maintain a right relationship with Me. Take off the old garments of selfish, animalistic behavior. Understand that I want more from you as My greatest creation. Know that you exist for something much better. Let Me help you become the person I meant you to be. Put on the new self, modeled after Me so that you can fulfill the work I planned for you from the beginning of time.
You’ll not be disappointed. I promise.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.