Tuesday August 9, 2022

Today is Tuesday, August 9 and this week we are studying Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter six.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to be still and be with the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, here I am to meet with you. Open my mind to understand your word. Teach me, guide me, and transform me today. Amen.

I celebrate the teaching of the Lord passed down generations with the words of Psalm 78.

My people, hear my teaching;

Psalm 78:1-4

Pause and Pray

Today we explore more of the new multinational, multicultural family of God made through Christ’s reconciling work as Paul continues to give practical instruction for Christian family life. Following his instruction to children, he addresses fathers. The families in the early church in Ephasus were accustomed to a patriarchal structure where fathers were expected to provide for their families, both financially and authoritatively. This gave absolute power to fathers over their families. The word “training” in today’s text refers to comprehensive education and the word “instruction” has to do with correction and teaching what to avoid. At the time of this letter, fathers were not often involved in the education of their children; however, they led the household in matters of religions devotion.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

I read this passage bearing in mind that God has given me power and responsibility in the very circumstances I am in today. Now that Christ has come to redeem and restore creation, I view everything I do in light of him. I take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). The one God and Father of us teaches, corrects, and guides me with compassion and love. So today I think how I might echo his ways in my own life. Maybe my current role in the world has more kingdom possibilities than I have ever imagined.

Ask: What might God be calling me to do beyond my obvious responsibilities? How can I pass on what I know about Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Heavenly Father, I praise you for your loving example of leadership. Thank you for guiding me with tenderness and patience. Help me to follow your ways. I reread the words from Ephesians and seek your message for me today.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Ask: What word or phrase stands out to me in this passage?

God is constantly pursuing me and my time with him is never wasted. How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me today? I want to keep my eyes open for him throughout my day, knowing that he may be teaching me now and he may meet me in an unexpected way later.

Pause and Pray

Lord, you are so good to me. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear how you are speaking to me today. Help me keep Christ on my mind at all times. Amen.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

I leave this time of prayer eager to see my world differently – through the lens of Christ.

Amen