Journey Through Ephesians, #30 As Paul finishes his letter, we see that he recognizes a very important truth, the power of connection. Read Ephesians 6:21-24. But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.Ephesians…

Journey Through Ephesians, #29 Do we pray for opportunities to share the gospel? Do we pray to be able to share boldly? Paul did. Read Ephesians 6:18-20. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.Ephesians 6:18‭-‬20 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/eph.6.18-20.NASB Paul was…

Journey Through Ephesians, #28 On guard. The world isn’t difficult and crazy place. We must be on guard and ready for all the attacks that will be coming at us. Read Ephesians 6:13-17. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth , and having put on the breastplate of righteousness , and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace ; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to…

Journey Through Ephesians, #27 Stand. Nothing more and nothing less. We are to stand. Read Ephesians 6:11-12. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.Ephesians 6:11‭-‬12 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/eph.6.11-12.NASB As we saw yesterday, often we don’t have the strength. And even if we do, our strength isn’t enough. We need God’s strength to do the things that God has asked us to do. So, through…

Journey Through Ephesians, #26 Be strong, but only in Him. We can’t be strong in ourselves. Read Ephesians 6:10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.Ephesians 6:10 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/eph.6.10.NASB Paul begins this section with a reminder that we are to be strong. However, it not really about our strength but about His. We are to be strong in Him. We are to rely on Him, put our trust in Him, lean on Him. He has the strength and we are just to lean into him. Our strength is only about the commitment and dedication that we have to follow Him. It’s not about anything else…

Journey Through Ephesians, #25 God impacts every relationship. Paul has Sharon about the relationship between a husband and a wife, now he shares about all the other relationships that we can be part of. Read Ephesians 6:1-9. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you , and that you may live long on the earth . Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according…

Journey Through Ephesians, #24 Paul finishes by discussing the reminder of how amazing it is that two people can become one and the mystery of that relationship and likens it to how amazing it is that Christ would be in a relationship with the church. The fact that we can be with Him, together. Read Ephesians 5:31-33. for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife , and the two shall become one flesh . This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own…

Journey Through Ephesians, #23 Love and cherish. Just as we saw that a wife has a specific responsibility in the relationship, so does the husband. Read Ephesians 5:25-30. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife…

Journey Through Ephesians, #22 Different purposes and different responsibilities. We are each made to have different roles and responsibilities in relationships. Read Ephesians 5:22-24. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.Ephesians 5:22‭-‬24 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/eph.5.22-24.NASB While there are many people who read these verses and get upset or feel that these don’t fully explain the role of women, it’s important to remember…

Journey Through Ephesians, #21 I don’t feel very thankful right now. But God reminds us that we are to be thankful in all things. Read Ephesians 5:14-21. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and…