For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 6

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move on to Ephesians 6, looking at my initial observations of this chapter. Here we have commands for children and parents (v1-4), and for bondservants and masters (v5-9), as well as an exhortation to be strong and to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (v10-11) because believers "do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (v12). The "whole armor of God" includes the Word, the Holy Spirit, faith, and our salvation. We are also encouraged to pray "at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (v18), and "to keep alert with all perseverance" (v18).  I look forward to further unpacking this chapter in the next several days.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who defeated sin and death for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the sacrifice You made for my salvation. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

  

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Hebrews 13

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. v17

I know God has place leaders in my life, church leads, work leaders, etc. that are for my benefit.  Scripture elsewhere commands me to obey leadership:

• Romans 13
• 1 Timothy 6

"[I]t is of no benefit to to [me]" if I disobey leadership and there work is a burden.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You have placed leadership in my life for my good and You do SO much for me - I know You love me in ways that I cannot describe or imagine. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love Jesus.  I am broken and sinful.  I need You desperately in my life.  I am selfish, stubborn, harsh, impatient, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me submit to ALL of my leaders...help me support them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain. Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Titus 3

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. v1-2

Being gentle requires me to be pure (not harsh) of heart and in actions.  I must have patience, compassion, etc. and also to be quick to listen and slow to anger.  I often struggle with these things.  I often struggle with rulers and authorities in my life - work as an example.  I need help in all of these areas.

See also James 1, 1 Timothy 2, Romans 13, Hebrews 13, 1 Timothy 6.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God full of patience and gentleness for me, even though many times I am not worth such patience or gentleness. You pour out Your mercy on me even though I am not deserving - thank You Jesus.  I need You desperately in my life as I am broken and sinful.  Very often I am not gentle nor patient.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me invite more of You into my heart and all areas of my life.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

1 Timothy 2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. v1-2

God places authority figures over us via government and law enforcement officials, church leaders, school leaders, and managers at work.  God appointed all of these officials and we are to submit to their authority...as long as they don't ask us to do anything contradictory to God's commands.  I have previously posted on the subject of earthly authority here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who knows everything about us, including our sin, yet came to suffer and die for us, choosing us, and leaving the side of God in heaven in the process.  You only desire good for us as long as fear, trust, love and obey You.  Yet I often don't.  Thank You for Your mercies and patience but I am not deserving of all of Your love Jesus.  Please forgive me for my disobedience.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me submit to all of the authorities in my life and be thankful and pray for them. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer Jesus.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.