Monday July 11, 2022

Today is Monday, July 11. We continue our tour of Ephesus traveling to the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

In the morning, I wait for a word from my Heavenly Father, I sit at the feet of my Lord Jesus to learn his truth, and I open myself to the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, thank you for inviting me to sit with you in the stillness of daybreak as you surround me with your embrace of steadfast love. I breathe slowly and deeply – exhaling my concerns and worries into your trustworthy care and inhaling your joy and peace to carry with me throughout my day. Amen.

I praise the goodness of God and rejoice in his presence with the words of Psalm 84.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:10-12 (NRSV)

Pause and Pray

The first three chapters of Ephesians instruct me to sit – sit and learn about Jesus, study his teachings, read holy scripture, and comprehend how much I am loved, forgiven, adopted and blessed. When I reach Ephesians chapter four, I am urged to walk. The Greek word “peripateo” means “to walk, to make one’s way, or to progress.” Paul uses this verb to describe “life walking.” This defines how Christians should regulate and conduct their lives and choose to behave. To walk is an active commitment to a way of life – to consistently adopt behavior that is honorable and worthwhile. Paul points the way to how believers should live – to walk like Jesus walked.

I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NRSV)

Paul, writing from a Roman prison bound in chains, does not consider himself a prisoner of the Roman government, but names himself a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the second half of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul now points the way to powerful Christian living. In practical terms he describes how Christians should live in the church and walk in community with one another. He instructs me directly. This is how I should live in my home, interact with my extended family and relate to those in the surrounding community. He challenges me to a life in which I imitate Jesus Christ, living for the sake of others and acting in kindness and compassion. I am to walk in a manner worthy of my new status as an adopted child of God and citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ask: What adjectives would I use to describe the way I am currently walking through life? How closely am I following in the footsteps of Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, I want to be a prisoner of your love and not held captive by anything that is not of you. Teach me how to walk in a manner worthy of my status as God’s beloved child. May each step I take be filled with humility, gentleness and patience. I pray my footprints will leave traces of love and peace. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NRSV)

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Paul’s ancient exhortation to the Ephesians convicts me to analyze my personal Christian walk. I consider how the words he uses describe (or contrast) the way I am living my life, confronting my current circumstances, and facing my present challenges. Am I walking in humility or pride? Am I walking with gentleness or hardheartedness? Am I walking in patience or frustration? Am I taking steps to bear with others or am I turning them away? Am I living a life of love – seeking to demonstrate kindness in tangible ways? Or am I marching headlong into bitterness of heart and selfishness of spirit? Am I making every effort to maintain unity and bring peace? Or am I sowing seeds of division and creating strife?

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, each step I take on my daily walk has an impact and makes a difference either positively or negatively. I invite you to hold me by the hand and help me to take spiritual baby steps in the direction you would have me to go – correcting my stance, controlling my pace, staying on the path that is straight and keeping to the road that is narrow. Amen.

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:4-6

I leave this time of prayer committed to walking in a way that honors God and brings love, joy and peace to the people around me.

Amen