“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14, Isaiah 52:1-2

I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I stay in Ephesians 5, examining v1-14 in more detail. Leaning on DesiringGod.com videos on Ephesians 5:8-14 (which also covers to a certain extent v3-7) Part I and II, which also calls out Ephesians 2:1-6, I see how God changes our (believers) nature from being (not just doing) darkness to being light (Ephesians 5:8).  In other words, we were dead in our sin (Ephesians 2:1) and God raised us up from the dead (Ephesians 2:6).  Of course, because we are in the light we are able to not just better able to battle and defeat sin (by not becoming partners with the sons of disobedience (v7), but we are able to help others do the same - and this is the claim made in v14 where we can be a light to others and draw them out of the darkness as well (submitting to an all sovereign God and Holy Spirit that is doing all of this). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who is light, who creates light in me and who is able to do this for all You choose to become one of Your elect - thank You for the gift of light!  I am not deserving of such a blessing. 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.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  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.

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:13-14

I continue 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 5, focusing on initial observations for the chapter as a whole. At the start of this chapter, we see how Paul continues the theme of unity within the church by saying "therefore" (v1).  V1-2 states that our unity should then cause us to be "imitators of God, as beloved children....[a]nd [we should] walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."  We are then warned of sin spreading within the church and encouraged to be thankful (v4). We are to avoid partnerships with "the sons of disobedience" (v7) and instead to not just walk in love but also to walk in light as we are a light (Holy Spirit within us) (v8-9).  If we walk in love and light we stand in contrast to the sin of the world and therefore expose sin and draw others to the light as light leads us where we should go and helps us avoid darkness (v8-14).  V15-20 focus on Paul urging us to make best use of our time (v16), avoid sinful traps, and to fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit - and Paul gives us more details of how we do this.  The remainder of the chapter - v22-33 - focuses on Godly instructions for wives and husbands.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: What an awesome God You are that You are light and that You guide my path and help me avoid darkness - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  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.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  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.

"I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Genesis  39-42:5

"I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16

Day 18 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Joseph's story from when he was in charge of Potiphar's house though his days in prison (falsely accused by Potiphar's wife) to his rise as being in charge of gathering and distributing grain during the periods of abundance and famine in Egypt.

Joseph's story is certainly well known and while there is debate over whether Joseph was prideful, arrogant or dumb, what is clear that once Joseph begins to rise out of the ashes of captivity in Egypt, the Bible makes it clear that Joseph attributes His gifts and the results achieved through his gifts to God alone.

It starts with Joseph's acknowledgement that it would be sinful to sleep with Potiphar's wife - see Genesis 39:9.  In prison, Joseph's gives God the glory for his ability to interpret dreams - see Genesis 40:8.  Once again, Joseph, to Pharaoh, attributes his ability to interpret dreams to God alone - see Genesis 41:16.  Joseph again attributes his successes in Egypt to God in the naming of his sons - see 41:51-52.

The absence of God's mention by Joseph early in his life does not mean he denied God's role in his life.  Yet we do know that God does not want us to keep it secret who He is and what He means to us - we are to be a light...not under a bowl but on a lamp stand for all to see.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving.  I sin...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.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  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.