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 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 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!