Daily Bible Reading and Prayer, KJV, May 10-Nov 9, 2018, Acts to Hebrews

May 18, Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1-32 KJV
[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
God called us to be Christians, the least we can do is walk worthy of that calling, with His help of course
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We are all united in the Spirit!
[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
[5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
This is one of my favourite verses, God has given us all different gifts, and He has given the gifts He has given for a good reason. We are one in Christ but we are also unique individuals, that complement each other in different ways. God has given you a gift, don't waste it.
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
That is why it is so important to read and study the Bible, if we don't, we will be tossed around because we don't know what is true and what is not
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Some people seem to have a hard time speaking the truth in love, don't be one of them.
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
[18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
[20] But ye have not so learned Christ;
[21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
I actually just heard a sermon on this verse! Some people seem to think it is bad to get angry, but if it was a sin to be angry, why would God get angry? Anger is in our human nature because we were made in the image of God. It is ok to get angry, sometimes even good, you just have to not sin. Some people find it very difficult not to sin while angry, including me, so if you find you can avoid sin better by not getting angry, that is fine, but it is also fine to get angry and not sin
[27] Neither give place to the devil.
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Reminds me again about the power of words, your words can be edifying, or they can be corrupt and corrupt those that hear them.
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for everything you have given us, thank you that my brother safely made the trip from where he works to home. Please help us use the gifts us have given us for Your glory and for the furtherance of Your Kingdom. Please help us to not only always speak the truth, but speak it in love. Thank you for the emotion of anger, please help us use it for good and not sin with it. Your know who struggles with this and You know who I am thinking about, please help them not sin when they are angry. Please help us use our words to edify and build each other up and please bless everyone reading this, in Jesus's name, Amen.