Tuesday July 19, 2022

Today is Tuesday, July 19 and we are exploring Ephesians chapter four.

As a new day dawns, I prioritize the most important activity of the entire day – time with my Heavenly Father. I seek to abide in his loving presence and receive his wise counsel.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I am here to spend time with you. I set aside my cares and concerns, quiet my endless stream of thoughts, breathe deeply and focus on your divine presence and steadfast love. Amen.

I turn to the Lord and seek his steadfast love and faithfulness with the words of Psalm 26.

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:1-3

Pause and Pray

Pointing back to the sinful life described in yesterday’s verses (Ephesians 4:17-19), Paul reminds his readers that this is not life in Christ. If I believe in Christ, I am a follower of Jesus, that means I am a disciple and a learner. I continue to walk the journey of life, persevering in my progress and learning to walk like Jesus. Paul gives Christ followers a three-step process to advance in the spiritual life. Paul provides very helpful advice that I can apply to my life daily. The three steps are – put off the old, obtain a new attitude and put on the new.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

I consider where I am in the three-step process of discipleship that Paul outlines. Putting off the old self is like removing worn-out clothes covered with disgusting dirt and grime. At the end of each day, as I return to the Lord, I am invited to change my spiritual clothing. I take off corruption, rebellion, deceitful desires, the stench of transgression and the stain of sin. I clear my head and invite the Holy Spirit to give me the mind of Christ, imbuing me with a new attitude and filling me with good, pure and holy thoughts. Because all actions stem from the root of a thought, clearing my mind for Jesus is an important daily practice. Third, I put on fresh, clean, pure garments lovingly fashioned for me by a holy God. I am lovingly clothed in righteousness, holiness and truth.

Ask: What might the old garments represent for me in my current life? What do I need to “put off” and what do I need to “put on” with God?

Pause and Pray

Loving Lord and Blessed Savior, teach me how to live the life you have called me to live. I reject my former way of life and put off my old self. Reveal how I continue to be corrupted by falsehood and deceived by evil interests. Renew my mind and give me right thinking. Let me put on Jesus – only you can clothe me in the holiness and righteousness that is you. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

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

I consider what God is saying to me today through these words of sacred scripture. I recall how I have been taught to live by Christ and the church. Am I practicing what I have learned and am I endeavoring to faithfully follow Jesus? I evaluate my current state of mind and attitude of my spirit – what might God want to change, transform or make new? How does my “old self” continue in the “sin that clings so closely” and what needs to be removed? (Hebrews 12:1) How do I visualize the “new self” that God has for me to put on? I close my eyes and imagine placing my arms in a beautiful, pure garment fashioned by Christ that fits me perfectly.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I wait with anticipation to receive the lovely new garments you have specifically designed for me. I have outgrown my worn-out wardrobe; it lies on the floor soiled and stained. Reveal the new life you have for me to live and the new clothes you invite me to wear. I eagerly dress myself in the goodness you provide and don it to bring you glory, honor and praise. Amen.

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:8-10, 12

I leave this time of prayer walking in a new set of clothes with a new attitude, to live a life dedicated to loving and serving others in the name of Jesus.

Amen