Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Ephesians 5:1-20
Set – Ecclesiastes 12; Ephesians 5
Go! – Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5:1-20
1 So imitate God. Follow Him like adored children, 2 and live in love as the Anointed One loved you—so much that He gave Himself as a fragrant sacrifice, pleasing God.3 Listen, don’t let any kind of immorality be breathed among you. Any demoralizing behaviors (perverse sexual acts, uncleanliness, greediness, and the like) are inappropriate topics of conversation for those set apart as God’s people. 4 Don’t swear or spurt nonsense. Don’t make harsh jokes or clown around. Make proper use of your words, and offer them thankfully in praise. 5 This is what we know for certain: no one who engages in loose sex, impure actions, and greed—which is just a form of idolatry—has any inheritance in the kingdom of God and His Anointed.
6 Don’t be fooled by people whose sentences are compounded with useless words, empty words—they just show they are empty souls. For, in His wrath, God will judge all the children of disobedience for these kinds of sins. 7 So don’t be persuaded into their ignorance; and don’t cast your lot with them 8 because, although you were once the personification of darkness, you are now light in the Lord. So act like children of the light. 9 For the fruit of the light is all that is good, right, and true. 10 Make it your aim to learn what pleases our Lord. 11 Don’t get involved with the fruitless works of darkness; instead, expose them to the light of God. 12 You see, it’s a disgrace to speak of their secrets (so don’t even talk about what they do when no one is looking). 13-14 When the light shines, it exposes even the dark and shadowy things and turns them into pure reflections of light. This is why they sing,
Awake, you sleeper!
Rise from your grave,
And the Anointed One will shine on you.
15 So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise! 16 Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times. 17 So understand and be confident in God’s will, and don’t live thoughtlessly. 18 Don’t drink wine excessively. The drunken path is a reckless path. It leads nowhere. Instead, let God fill you with the Holy Spirit. 19 When you are filled with the Spirit, you are empowered to speak to each other in the soulful words of pious songs, hymns, and spiritual songs; to sing and make music with your hearts attuned to God; 20 and to give thanks to God the Father every day through the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed for all He has done.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
I’ve found that sometimes you take Paul’s words a little too far when he says don’t make harsh jokes or clown around. In other translations, it says to be sober and you really take it to heart. So much so that people around you think you’re eating lemons all the time. That’s not who I want you to be. Why would anyone want to be around you if you never have a smile on your face?
Can you imagine Jesus attracting children to Him if he never smiled? It’s the friendly face that fascinates children. It’s the smile that draws others to that singular personality. The dole and dreary expression drives people away, it never attracts them to you. Is it any wonder My church has trouble growing when its members look like they had spoiled prunes and leftover mush for breakfast?
I do want you to guard your speech. I do want you to watch your behavior. I do want you to control yourself and keep yourself far from the behavior of the world, but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy life. It doesn’t mean life isn’t fun. It doesn’t mean you don’t smile and play and even act silly sometimes. Remember you are My children. And at times it’s even okay to act like My children.
Jesus, while He walked with you, sat and played games with the children. He sang songs with them. He played hide-and-seek with them. He ran in the fields with them. He enjoyed life like they enjoyed life. He told you that unless you approach life the same way children approach life you cannot enter My kingdom. Children approach life with curiosity, faith, trust, joy, peace, contentment – all those attributes that make life enjoyable and put a smile on your face.
Paul tells you when you are filled with My Spirit you are empowered to speak to each other with the soulful words of pious songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. You know where you find those? The Psalms that speak of My joy. The Wisdom books that tell My story, strength, and glory. The Prophets that promise the riches of heaven to those that follow Me. Those pious songs are filled with the joy of following Me. There are no funeral dirges in those songs, but rather hymns of praise to Me.
Life can be full of fun and laughter and joy without crossing the line of bad behavior or speech. After all, I created all good things. Why wouldn’t they bring a smile to your face?
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.