Ephesians 6 - 4.25.23

Scripture

Ephesians 6:14

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…

Observation

We need God’s truth tightly wrapped around us in order to fight our battles and fulfill our purpose.

Application

This section of Ephesians on the armor of God, is a very well-known portion of scripture. Kids and adults alike are drawn by the imagery. Reading it this time, I decided to look up the meaning of the “belt of truth.” For the Roman Centurions, their belt, wrapped tightly around their waist, did more than hold their pants up. It held weapons, tools, and supplies, and pieces of protective armor hung from it. If their belt wasn’t properly secured, it could put their life at risk. Their belt could be considered the foundation for all their other armor.

Likewise, the truth of God and His word is the foundation of our armor. We must spend time with God and learn to recognize His voice. We must be so closely connected to Him that His truth becomes a part of us so that we can recognize what is true and what is a lie. John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Prayer

Thank you for today’s reminder. Help me to remember what is true: My God is almighty. He is bigger than the circumstances. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, God is in control. He has a plan for a hope and a future. God loves me. God loves others. God has commanded me to love others. These are the truths - the foundation - that I will cling to.

- Debbie Dunn

Ephesians 5 - 4.24.23

Scripture

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.”

Observation

In the first section of this chapter, Paul encourages believers to imitate God by following the examples of how Jesus lived his life. Paul encourages us to live a life filled with love (vs 2). He encourages us to live pure lives free from sexual immorality, greed, and foolish talk (vs 3-5). We should stay clear and not participate with those who are still living in the darkness/sinfulness (vs 7). Since we are believers, we have the light of Jesus living inside of us. So live as people of light (vs 8)!

Application

Jesus is the perfect role model.

You know when I was in my early 20’s I looked up to The Rock. I remember working out 6 days a week, spending a big portion of my paychecks on sports supplements, just to try to be built like him physically. I remember seeing him on the cover of Mens Fitness Magazines and seeing the clothes he would wear. I would try to shop and find clothes, sunglasses, and watches, just to copy his style. But where did that leave me you may ask? It left me feeling defeated, (because my genetics weren’t like his), and it left me up to my eyeballs in credit card debt! Basically it felt like all that hard work was for nothing!

Now let me tell you about when I rededicated my life to Jesus and began looking up to Him as my reference on how to live my life. My life has more meaning to it. It’s a life where I can find joy in any occasion. It’s a life where I feel more fulfilled by following Jesus and helping others know Him more. It’s a life that has blessed me with a beautiful wife, loving kids, and a church family that is here to love and support me no matter what. It’s a life where I built a deeper relationship with God and His people. And it’s a life where I know I am reaping a more eternal reward; a reward that doesn’t fade or can’t be taken away.

So at the end of the day when I look into the mirror, who should I desire to see looking back at me? I hope it would be someone who loves God and others with all his heart. Someone who puts the needs of others above his own. Someone who honors God with everything they do and say. Someone like Jesus.

Prayer

Father God forgive me for wasting my younger years of life chasing after the wrong things. My desire is to look more and more like Jesus each and every day. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to live that life that Jesus lived. A life which brings glory and honor to You. May my life point others to see and want to be like Jesus. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Ephesians 4 - 4.21.23

Scripture

Ephesians 4:11-13

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Observation

God gave various kinds of leaders to the church with a single purpose in mind: that we ALL become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. The word “mature” in the original Greek is the word teleios and it refers to completeness, the end goal, the final product. And “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” could be summed up as “perfectly Christ-like.”

The point is that God’s goal is that every believer – whether apostle or accountant, pastor or plumber, teacher or technician – would be equal in spiritual maturity. The goal is that every one of us reaches the end goal of being exactly like Jesus in thought, character, purpose, pursuit, etc.

I imagine each of us as an old classic car. Extremely valuable, yet damaged and worn out and barely running because of sin. Rescued from the junkyard, God purchases us as his own by the blood of Jesus and begins restoring us to our original design and perfection. God isn’t like the guy in our neighborhood who has a car sitting in his driveway on jacks for years waiting to be restored. He doesn’t abandon the project halfway. But like Philippians 1:6 says, he carries on to completion the work he started in each of us. God’s desire for every person he’s purchased is that they become completely restored and finished. And he pulls us, his sons and daughters, into the garage with him and hands us wrenches and paint sprayers and invites us to partner with him in the restoration process.

Application

-       Pray today for every person in our church to become mature and move toward complete Christlikeness.

-       Ask God for wisdom and favor in equipping and helping people become more like Jesus.

Prayer

God, thank you for all those you have placed in leadership at Desert Streams. I’m asking that you help us to equip every person you bring to us for works of service and to build them up so that we can become fully mature and Christlike. May we each grow as we also help each other grow. We want to be like you Jesus. Transform us by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-Levi Thompson