Day 18 - Ephesians 6:10-24

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.

23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Terrie's Comments:

As 2016 comes to an end it seems natural to reflect and look ahead with new renewal.  Looking back at 2016 it has been a year of re-focusing in ministry and reshaping my life moving from mothering teenagers to adult children.  

As I look ahead to 2017 I do have some resolutions... 

-I would like to blog more on my personal blog.  I believe there is much that God has spoken to my heart that has just stayed there because I haven't written down much or blogged much in the past couple of years.

-I would like to be consistent in working on the Christ Capp blog and updating our website for the benefit of everyone who is led to look at them.

-I would like to Be more consistent in many ways this year... like taking care of my family and our home.

- Most of all I would like to be more like Jesus a year from now.  I want that change to be evident to those around me and set captives free.  

This passage, being our last one of 2016 is so appropriate.  Especially verses 10-18 are verses that remind us that we are in a battle as long as we are here on earth but we have the victory in Jesus.  We must remain in the word of God so we are equipped to fight every attach of the enemy.  

May 2017 be filled with great hope as you explore all the treasures in God's word daily and are led by the God's Holy Spirit.  Walk forward in this next year without fear!  Faith in Jesus Christ gives us freedom, let's use our freedom to advance the kingdom of heaven :-) 

Tori's Comments:

I think it gets so easy to get caught up in the small struggles day to day. Simple frustrations and worries can cloud my view of Jesus and hold me back from following God wholeheartedly.

As I decide on resolutions for the upcoming year, I've definitely noticed a desire in my life to remove those clouds and push away anything hindering me from running the race set out for me.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 17 - Ephesians 6:1-9

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Tori's Comments:

In everything I do, I need to seek wisdom from God and work for His glory. And not with complaints either, but with enthusiasm!

Terrie's Comments:
I think in this passage the part that stands out the most is 6:6-7.  Working to please Jesus rather than men.  It doesn't matter if we are working for ourselves or for someone else.  We are rewarded by Jesus.  I have had some down time this Christmas (which means a break from normal routine).  During this time I am attempting to get rid of physical clutter in my life so I am more free to serve God with all my heart in 2017.  I do need to keep in mind that my Master is in heaven and I do not work to please men.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 16 - Ephesians 5:25-33

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Terrie's Comments:

I have to say many are offended about the first part... wives submit to your husbands... but I have not met a wife yet that would hesitate to submit to a husband that loved them the way that Jesus loves the church.  And I would be willing to wager that the opposite is true ... that if a wife submitted to her husband in this way that he would have an easier time loving her unselfishly.  Both rolls are hard... both are not supposed to be conditional on the other.... they are to be unconditional, no matter what. 

 If Jesus loved us the way that most marriages operate today we would all be going to Hell.  There would be no redemption and no hope.  Our marriages are supposed to be a reflection to the world of how Jesus loves his bride, the church.  

Tori's Comments:

We give God every part of ourselves, including marriage. The beliefs and ideals around marriage make it seem like it promises you happiness, contentment, and fulfillment when in reality marriage like God intended has less to do with ourselves and more to do with God's glory.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 15 - Ephesians 5:15-24

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.


Tori's Comments:

This emphasizes the mission aspect of Christianity. What is that mission? To go to the ends of the earth making, baptizing, and teaching disciples. Every word and action should contribute to the Kingdom of God.

Another thing that sticks out to me is that we should be constantly singing and praising God. Can't say no to that :)


Terrie's Comments:

I have heard it said that we don't know what the Lord wants us to do with our lives or what his will is for us.  

The Bible tells us to not act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  This must mean that we can know what Jesus wants us to do if we think about what we are doing.  Be filled with the Holy Spirit... singing among ourselves and in our hearts giving thanks for everything to God in the name of Jesus.  

We also should put others before ourselves, Just as Jesus put us before himself when he was crucified.  

If we are wise we will follow the Holy Spirit's direction in our lives... if we are foolish we will live for our own selfish desires and the world's pleasures.  We have a choice everyday.  


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 14 - Ephesians 5:1-14

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

Terrie's Comments:

First thing that caught my eye was... "for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world."  ... I wrestle with being greedy... I wrestle with this a lot.  It is an attitude that I have to crucify all the time and bring into obedience to the truth.  I don't think I have ever considered being greedy with idolater before though.  Idol worship is a very serious thing to God... just read the Bible.  


Carefully determine what pleases the Lord... This is all a part of walking with Jesus.  Getting to know His heart and following the leading of the Holy Spirit moment by moment.  Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.  Just to take Him at His word.  Just to rest upon His promise.  Just to know Thus says the Lord.




Tori's Comments:

Live a life FILLED with love. 

"those who try to excuse these sins" Test and search your heart on everything you engage in, and realize it's better to drop things out of your life than be unsure whether you're engaging in sin.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 13 - Ephesians 4:25-32

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Tori's Comments:

"anger gives a foothold to the devil" Some frustration or impatience may seem so small, but give way to something deeper and far worse than you thought.

To let EVERYTHING I say be an encouragement to hearers goes beyond not saying mean things but instead letting kindness and love reign over our mouths. That is an area in my life that will need a lot of work.


Terrie's Comments:

As we have been learning, We are freed from the law.  We are free to use that freedom however we choose to use it.  However there are benefits to living how the Holy Spirit guides you and becoming more like Jesus Christ.  

Like... there are reasons to not let anger control you and to not hold grudges or hold onto anger towards others... it is because Anger gives the devil a foothold.

We use our hands to work hard so we can give generously to those in need.

The reason to not use foul or abusive language and to use good and helpful words instead is to be an encouragement to others around you.

When bring glory to God, by the way we live, because he has identified us as His own and guarantee's that we will be saved on the day of redemption, we don't bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit.

And when we get rid of all types of evil behavior and replace it with being kind to each other and forgiving each other we are imitating Jesus and becoming more like the one who died to save us.

Our behavior doesn't make us right with God or anymore righteous but there are benefits to using our freedom in Christ for His glory and getting to partner with him to further the kingdom of Heaven!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 12 - Ephesians 4:17-24

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Terrie's Comments: 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  

In verse 22 I love the vivid image that pops into my head of "Throwing off" your old sinful nature and your old way of life... which is corrupted.  Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  then "Put on" your new nature created to be like God, righteous and holy.  There are two actions that we are called to do... Throw off and then Put on!  We need to do it.  We need to surrender our thoughts and our attitudes so they can be fully renewed.  

It is my hope that you are spending time in God's word everyday.  It is a great way to renew your mind each day and continue to Put on your new nature so you become more and more like Jesus everyday!

Tori's Comments:

Merry Christmas!!! AHHH!

The kind of renewal in this passage isn't mixing old with the new or adding some Christian qualities to your life but a complete overhaul by the Spirit. 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 11- Ephesians 4:10-16

10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Tori's Comments:
We need to grow in our faith so we can have strong roots and know what God's word says against what others want it to say. 

"speak the truth in love"

Terrie's Comments:

I don't think I have ever considered that Christ gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers as gifts to equip us to do his work and build up the body of Christ.  That is cool that they are a gift to us.

When we have come to maturity we no longer are tossed back and forth between teachings.  We will not be able to be tricked by lies that are clever and sound like the truth but is not.  We will in turn be able to speak the truth ourselves to others in love.  We will be growing in every way to be more and more like Jesus.  As we each do our part we help the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy, growing and full of love.  

It would be great if every church valued all parts and worked together as a healthy body that is growing and full of love... someday :-) 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 10 - Ephesians 4:1-9

SHILOH

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”
9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.

Terrie's Comments:

The theme of Unity and Peace within the body of Christ is very clear in this letter.  We are to be one in body and spirit.  There is to be no division as we live with each other in love.  Patience, Humility, Gentleness, Unity in the Spirit, Peaceful, Making allowance for one another's faults... This is how we are to live in the Body of Christ until he returns :-) Good thing we have the Holy Spirit to help us fill this tall order.  Humanly speaking that is near impossible.  But with God all things are possible :-) 

Tori's Comments:

A prisoner FOR serving the Lord.

Anything else we give ourselves to: money, sex, and worldly pleasures, are all UNWORTHY of our calling. We have been called to a greater, more beautiful path full of humility, gentleness, patience, peace, and hope.

Vs. 2 talks about overlooking each other's faults, and that's something I don't see enough in my own life. Everyone has their own struggles, and nitpicking each other is not what God desires, but a life full of love and unity. 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 9 - Ephesians 3:14-21

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Tori's Comments:

"empower you with inner strength" This is a prayer I need to pray in my own life. I feel like sometimes my heart can be more of a hotel for Christ rather than a home. In my own life, I can definitely tell whether I am rooting myself in God or not by the fruits I produce, which have shown me the need to be digging into God's word and praying daily.

Verse 17 emphasizes the beauty of God's love, how we should get so lost in it and feel it pouring into us throughout the day. Because once we understand it, THEN we are made complete with "fullness of life and power that comes from God".

Terrie's Comments:

AMEN!!  This is one prayer that we could be praying for each other everyday.  Just go back and read it over a few times to let it rest on you a bit :-) 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 8 - Ephesians 3:7-13

7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.


Terrie's Comments:

God's purpose for the church is to display HIS WISDOM in its rich variety TO the UNSEEN RULERS and AUTHORITIES in HEAVENLY PLACES... His plan goes far beyond our lives here on earth.  It is in eternal plan and was carried out through Jesus!

We can NOW come boldly and confidently into God's presence... this is such a blessing to not have to only come once a year to offer sacrifices.  To have a private line direct to God that is NEVER busy.  We are God's priority and we can come boldly and confidently into God's presence because we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ!



Tori's Comments:

"Though I am the least deserving of all God's people"

Do we regard telling the good news as a privelige or a chore? While Paul regards this as something that brings him joy, I feel like many times it has been something I've dreaded out of anxiety. But God has freed us from fear and worries, and our focus can now be solely on God and His will for us.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 7 - Ephesians 3:1-6

3 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.


Tori's Comments:

This paints a beautiful picture of the family that a church should represent, always serving each other in hope of what's to come.


Terrie's Comments:

God's plan is that EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES the GOOD NEWS share EQUALLY in the RICHES INHERITED by God's CHILDREN!!  

We are all one!  Jesus Died to save EVERYONE.  

Christmas time is so special because it reminds us of the time when Jesus came to complete the plan that was promised by God to Adam and Eve in the garden.  God's plan to reconcile everyone back to himself was finally coming to fruition!! It's no wonder why there was an angel choir to announce his birth!




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 6 - Ephesians 2:19-22

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.


Terrie's Comments:
We are CITIZENS, and MEMBERS of God's FAMILY, we are part of the HOLY TEMPLE and GOD lives in us by his HOLY SPIRIT!  This is an awesome thing to appreciate how much of an honor it is to not only have God here with us by also choosing to live in us and use us through His Holy Spirit!  

This is a good reason to read the whole Bible for yourself (even Leviticus) just to get a sense of how holy God really is and what had to happen through Jesus for Him to be able to dwell in us.  It is incredible and amazing that we are made Holy of Holy through the righteous blood of Jesus Christ!

The Gift of Jesus Christ is so precious!!


Tori's Comments:

Wow, short one today.

We can't be united if Christ isn't our foundation. If we aren't all continuously submitting to His will, we obviously won't be able to love each other fully (by putting others before ourselves) and will get carried along with our own sense of justice and truth rather than God's. But if each member of the church held fast to Christ, we would fit together perfectly, like a beautiful mosaic.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 5 - Ephesians 2:11-18

11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.


Tori's Comments:

The system of laws and commandments has ended. We are united with all peoples in the family of God, brothers and sisters.


Terrie's Comments:

We have been reconciled into one body... both Jews and Gentiles... Jesus made peace between us so we could be one body.  We come to God our Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Jesus has done for us!

He broke down the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles by ending the system of law with it's commandments and regulations... We are one... We are joined by the Holy Spirit.  

Peace on earth!  Unity!  Freedom from the old law!  This is great news!!








Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 4 - Ephesians 2:1-10

2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Terrie's Comments:

Merry Christmas Everyone!  This is what it is all about... The whole Bible hinges on this... Jesus was the plan from the beginning.  We are saved from bondage to sin and the devil and are free so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago!  There is NOTHING we can do to earn salvation ... there is NOTHING we can do to earn our way to heaven!  It is a FREE GIFT so that we can only boast in Jesus not our own works.  God is so rich in MERCY and LOVE!!  This time of year we have more freedom to speak about this MARVELOUS FREE GIFT... don't let it slip by without giving that gift away!  It is the BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!


Tori's Comments:
Just comparing the freedom I claimed to feel before following Christ to now is shocking in itself. Any chains that still bind me are ones I put on myself, forgetting that Christ has freed me. 

"He loved us so much" I just want to rest in that for a minute.

By forgetting that freedom He's given us, I'm actually attempting to take away glory from God's overflowing mercy and love. Remember.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day3 - Ephesians 1:15-23

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.



Tori's Comments:
I hope y'all will excuse me for my missing period during finals, but I'm ready to jump back into Ephesians!

What a reputation to have! To be known for our love, what a beautiful thought! 
Does our hope in God feel confident? Are we confident in those promises? In my own life, it is definitely a piece of work.

Vs. 19 describes the struggle behind losing that confidence. We forget what God has done, has proven Himself to be, and that becomes easier to forget when we aren't regularly reading Scripture. 

Vs. 19 reminds me of this song by Jeremy Camp:

Terrie's Comments:

I am entering this passage into my prayer book to pray for believers!  Paul has many great prayers that are so applicable for believers and unbelievers.  

I LOVE THE VIDEO TORI!!!



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 2 - Ephesians 1:9-14

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.


Terrie's Comments:

I think that it is amazing that we have received an inheritance from God... he CHOSE us in advance!  and He makes everything work out according to His plan.  

We are identified as belonging to Jesus Christ because he gave us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance that God promised and that we are purchased by Him.  The result of the deposit of the Holy Spirit is that we will praise and glorify our God for all He has done!



Tori's Comments:
We can be identified as believers of Christ, which should bond us together inseparably. And the Holy Spirit, which identifies us, also serves as a promise to us that we have become a part of God's family. 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 1 - Ephesians 1:1-8

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.


Tori's Comments:
Yay, Ephesians! These books are beginning to zoom by!

We are blessed with every spiritual blessing! We need to hold onto that truth, even when it doesn't feel like it's so.


Terrie's Comments:
WOW... What a great start to this challenge!!!!  So many gems that we should just read and let them sink in a while!  

We have been blessed with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in the heavenly realms BECAUSE we are united with Christ!!

EVEN BEFORE God Made the World... God LOVED us and CHOSE us in Christ to be HOLY and WITHOUT FAULT in his eyes!

God DECIDED in ADVANCE to ADOPT us into HIS OWN FAMILY by bringing us to himself THROUGH JESUS!

He WANTED to do this... and it gave Him GREAT PLEASURE!

He PURCHASED OUR FREEDOM with the blood of Jesus and FORGAVE our sins!

He has SHOWERED HIS KINDNESS on us along with ALL WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING!

Just let those benefits sink in a while!!!  We are truly Blessed by God through Jesus Christ!


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 17 - Galatians 6:11-18

11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

18 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.


Tori's Comments:
To never boast about ANYTHING other than the cross...to deny yourself so completely... means to credit every good thing that comes of me as God's hand and not my own. And to tell people of it, to testify of the work He's done in my life.

"For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus."



Terrie's Comments:
This is what stood out to me today as I read...
"Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. "

As we commit our lives to Jesus Christ and nail our sinful desires there with Christ we shift our interests away from this world and we are focused on the things of the Spirit.  As we shift our focus away from the things of this world it is only natural that the world's interest in us also dies.  It is a sacrifice to follow Jesus Christ... but the cost is noting compared to the eternal benefit here on earth and eternally.

"What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God."

As we live by the leading of the Holy Spirit we are transformed into a new creation.  God's peace and mercy rest upon us who live by this principle!  



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 16 - Galatians 6:1-10

 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.


Terrie's Comments:

There are some great tips in this passage today.  Help everyone.  When you see a brother or sister overcome by sin we are to help them... I think all to often we in the church tend to fall into the pit of judging (even if that isn't what we call it) instead of helping.  If we fall into the judgement pit are we not also considering ourselves too good to help... then we are only fooling ourselves... We are not that important!  

Do good to everyone - ESPECIALLY to those in the family of faith.

Live to please the Spirit so you will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  

Do not get tired of doing what is good!  You will reap a harvest if you do not give up!


Tori's Comments:

Let everything I do be saturated in love-- be that helping a brother or sister or trying to gently advise them.

Vs.3 though... I love it so much! I have definitely gotten into the frame of mind that somehow my time or my stuff is more important than others when that obviously isn't true. The whole idea of become 'the least' flees from me and I'm blinded by my own arrogance to advance the kingdom of God.

The satisfaction of a job well done is satisfying indeed. It's also something I have to remind myself of when procrastination comes knocking.

And always, always, always, think of doing good to others, never forgetting you are a servant (and also a daughter/son) to the King.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 15 - Galatians 5:16-26

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.


Tori's Comments:

"the two forces are constantly fighting each other" I need to constantly monitor my life and the fruit I'm producing to see whether I am following the Holy Spirit or evil desires.

Verse 24 is such a beautiful picture. Wow. They are good and dead. Praise God.

Following the Spirit's leading in EVERY part of our lives requires surrender. Complete surrender at the foot of the cross to everything you have secretly held sacred.


Terrie's Comments:

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."

Serve one another in love... follow the Spirit's leading... the results of this will be a bountiful harvest of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL.  

If we are lacking in the fruits of the Spirit we need to consider if we have actually "nailed our own passions and desires of our sinful nature to the cross".  What have I yet to nail to the Cross so I can be free to follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every area of my life?



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 14 - Galatians 5:7-15

7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

11 Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. 12 I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.


Terrie's Comments:

We are free from the Law but Paul clearly says we have a choice to use that freedom to satisfy our own sinful nature but instead he is encouraging believers to use that freedom to serve one another in love.  We aren't called to destroy and devour one another.  We are called to be servants, serving each other in the Name of Jesus:-)  We have free will to follow what we are called to do or to do our own thing.  


Tori's Comments:

With the amount of offensiveness and offended people in the world, it's important to be able to know and stand behind the truth so I won't get swept away in the world's burdens.

"use your freedom to serve one another in love" and in doing so be a witness to those around you of the mind-boggling nature of Christ and the church.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 13 - Galatians 5:1-6

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.


Tori's Comments:

He acknowledges that we will have to make sure we don't get tied up in rules and regulations, which is something Christians struggle with today just like they did long ago.

We must not count on ANYTHING to bring us salvation or righteousness other than Jesus Christ. All glory goes to him and not anything we do.

"What is important is faith expressing itself in love." I didn't realize how vital that connection is, but without the firm belief that Jesus loves you and you are a citizen of heaven and not Earth, you can't give everything you have to people. So if there is a loving problem in your life, check whether you are truly believing God's promises. This verse actually came at a really good time in my life to hear it.


Terrie's Comments:

As we are working through the letters it is getting clearer and clearer as to why the Law is an Enemy of Grace.  I think we try to melt them together so often.  We are saved by grace and then we go onto try to walk it out by our works and obedience to the law.  If we think we are saved by obeying the law then Christ is of no use to us????  There is a thought to ponder a while.  Am I trying to gain favor with God by following the law or traditions?  Our Righteousness is only found by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and relying on His Holy Spirit in us to produce that righteous life.  It is a heart condition.  If our hearts are turned to God and we have the attitude that I am second and God is first in my life then we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading.  The only thing required is to do what the Holy Spirit prompts us to do and the kicker is that He will give us the power and whatever we need to carry out what he asks us to do!  We only need to be willing.  The reason David was a man after God's own heart was not because he was perfect... HA... He was far from perfect... however David knew who God was and he did not doubt what his power could do.   When he made mistakes, David was quick to change his ways and line up with the will of God again.  

There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus!!  Just set your heart back in the right direction and God will dust you off, kiss your wounds, and continue to use you as a vessel for His glory!





Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!