Verse of the Day 8/31
Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. New International Version (NIV)
We have those big moments in life that we'll remember as long as we live - wedding days, the birth or our children, moving, the start of a new job, the day we received Christ, and the day we were baptized. Some of these we look forward to and plan ahead for. But when you think about it, most of our lives are lived "in the meantime", those in between times where nothing "big" is going on.
Several times in his writings, the Apostle Paul speaks of being imitators of God, of Christ and in 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "be imitators of me, as I am of Christ". That statement takes into account all times, yes, in those big moments that are easily remembered but also those uneventful moments, those "dog days", like those dog days of August that are coming to an end today. It is not an easy thing to do, in fact it is probably the most challenging thing we've ever been called to do. But we won't be doing it alone, we have a steady hand to guide us.
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood (Lauren Daigle - "Trust in You")
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have others to help, encourage, and challenge us along this walk through life. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,". Many who succeeded in this are recorded in Hebrews 11, the "Hall of Faith". The formula for doing this is seen in today's verses. May we be imitators and "live and love like that".
5 1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. Ephesians 5:1-2 The Message
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Ephesians 5:1-2The Message (MSG)
Wake Up from Your Sleep
5 1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
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