Author: evangelist_breland

Psalm 10:12-14 NKJV

At the beginning of this prayer, the psalmist made a strong request for God to punish the wicked. He emphatically asked, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble” (v.1 NIV)? Here the psalmist began the second part of his prayer, making an appeal to God to not only punish the wicked but to help the righteous in his oppressions. He began v.12 with a sense of urgency for the Lord to position Himself for immediate action, saying, “Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.” He trusted God and believed that He had the power to step in and do something to bring relief to those who are poor and suffering. He is a God of mercy and loves and cares for His creation. Believers are called to be compassionate and just to the oppressed because it reflects who God’s children are. 

In v.13 the psalmist questioned the reason the wicked renounced God. He believed that the wicked has decided in his heart that they will not be held accountable for their evil doings. He continued in prayer, reminding God in v.14: “You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,To repay it by Your hand.” The psalmist was saying that God was fully knowledgeable of the trouble and grief of the afflicted that the wicked caused. He also trusted that God would act on behalf of the helpless, and that they committed themselves to Him because He is the helper of the fatherless.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Ephesians 5:14-17

Since light makes everything visible, Paul commanded the Ephesian believers, saying, “you who are sleeping, wake up and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (v.14). Sometimes believers fall into a spiritual sleep and may feel as if they have lost connection with the Lord; a re- connection requires a wake-up call to get them up out of the unfruitful state of darkness and return to the promise that Christ will give them light. 

Paul said, “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” (v.15), “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (v.16). Children of light are encouraged to live purposefully in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. Don’t live recklessly as fools; “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside” (Col. 4:5) the household of faith. Use the time God gave you today, making the most of every opportunity to stand firm against the challenges of spiritual battles and evil forces.

Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is (v.17). He wills that His children walk in wisdom, knowing that “the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (v.9). The enduring hymn “Amazing Grace,” has a line that says, “I once was blind, but now I see.” Metaphorically, you wander around spiritually blind outside God’s ark of safety unable to see your way. But when you come to your senses as children of light, you should live wisely according to the will of God. 

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!”

  Ephesians 5:7-13 NKJV

Being in a relationship with God demands believers to imitate Him and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave His life for our sins. Our conduct and manner of speech should always reflect who we are and whose we are.  “Therefore, do not be partakers with children of them” (v.7) who are the children of disobedience and rebellion against God. Believers are not to “team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness” (2 Cor. 6:14 NLT)?

In v.8 Paul declared two things metaphorically about the identity of children of God. You “were once darkness,” but now “you are light.” Who they once were and who they have become is the result of being “in the Lord.” When you were darkness, you were and conformed to the world. Now that you are light, you are transformed by the renewing of your mind and commanded to “walk as children of light.” Since you are no longer alienated from God, your life should reflect all goodness, righteousness, and truth, which is the effect of the fruit of the Light(v.9). Now by experience you should be “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (v.10). 

The apostle continued his instruction, commanding believers to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove, or expose, them by their godly character (v.11). Yet, Paul declared that it is shameful for those of the Light to focus their conversation on things that ungodly people do in secret (v.12). “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible” (v.13 ESV). 

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!” 

Ephesians 5:3-7 NKJV

Here Paul continue addressing the saints of God in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. It is no secret that children are imitators of their earthly parents. In the same manner there is no secret that believers are imitators of their heavenly parent – God the Father. Believers are urged to live righteously. As His dear children, they are called to imitate Him and walk continually in love. He demonstrated His love for the world by sending His Son Jesus in the flesh to die for our sins. Therefore, Believers’ character and conduct should reflect their relationship with Him. 

Paul continued his instruction, informing them of six common sins that are condemned. He told the saints of God that these sins should not even be mentioned among themselves: fornication, uncleanness, covetousness (v.3), and disrespectful language that takes followers of Christ out of character: filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting (v.4). “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Eph.4:29). There is no grace or thanksgiving to God in Believers’ unholy behaviors and foul language.

He then told them that there are five classes that are lost. “For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (v.5). The apostle warned them in v.6 of deceivers and the consequence of disobedience. “Therefore, do not be partakers with them” (v.7).

Lift your voice and give God glory! 

1 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV

When it comes to suffering, honestly speaking, none of us – believers and unbelievers alike – want to suffer. Yet, all people will experience suffering because we live in a fallen world. Due to man’s disobedience, sin entered the world, resulting in death. So, in His infinite wisdom God uses suffering as a means of bringing about spiritual growth for His children, leading them into a more intimate relationship with Him. In scripture we are told; “Don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him” (1 Pet. 4:16 CEV). Therefore, it is essential that believers live so that their lives will daily reflect who they are in Christ. Jesus taught us in Matt. 5:11 that you are blessed when the world revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for His sake.

Peter continued his instructions on suffering: “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (v.17). Since we are “children of God, and if children then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17). “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us (you) to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (v.18). God wills that even in the face of opposition believers suffer for doing good not for doing evil. 

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!”