Before the Sun Goes Down – Ephesian 4:26

26“In your anger do not sin” d Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesian 4: 25-27 (NIV)

In some versions of the bible, Ephesians 4:17-31 is subtitled, living as Children of Light, in others, a New Life in Christ. As Christians, we are called upon to put away bitterness, malice, and unforgiveness and not dwell on anger or let it sit unresolved. Uncontrolled anger can lead to revenge and sin.

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.”d Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. – Ephesian 4: 25-27 (NLT)

We are to act more Chirst-like and not let anger control us. Anger is not an excuse to sin; it should be dealt with quickly in God-honored ways. We should be merciful and forgive others.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

The Holy Spirits work within us, turning us away from our sinful actions and helping us develop the fruit of self-control.

Paul says don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. In other words, deal with anger; make that a priority, and don’t go to bed angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. – Ephesians 4:26-27 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Teach us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Guide us in Your truth, Your light, and Your love. Teach us to deal with anger quickly before the sun goes down. Like the lovely smell of lavender fills the air, let us be filled with love and forgiveness and fill the air with praise. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Live by the Spirit – Romans 8:9

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Romans 8:9 (BSB)

God gives his Holy Spirit to every believer. Christians have the spirit of God inside them; they are guided and led by the Holy Spirit. In other words, Christians are controlled and influenced by the Holy Spirit rather than flesh. People controlled by the flesh are self-serving, following the influence of corrupt desires.

In Christians, the Holy Spirit indwells, teaching us to become more Christ-like in our actions. Guiding and directing us, encouraging us to bear fruit. With the Holy Spirit, we grow in grace and produce fruit, fruits of love, joy, peace, goodness, and gentleness.

¹⁹The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-25 (NIV)

People who live by the flesh are self-reliant, led by sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, discord, and jealousy, instead of by Christ. Christians live by the Holy Spirit’s guidance, sanctifying and teaching us to be more Jesus-like. As children of God, we need to be spiritually minded Christians.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your son, Jesus. Who died for our sins. Teach us to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction so we can grow in grace and produce fruit. As the chrysanthemums glow with sunlight, let us glow and bear fruit in Jesus’ light. Amen.

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The Lord will Guide You: Isaiah 58:11

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:11 (NLV)

The Lord will guide you always through His Word, Spirit, and His counsel. He will bless you with His love. His fountain of water will flow within, bringing peace and joy, satisfying Your soul, and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, growing, flourishing, and producing fruit. His ever-flowing spring of salvation will not dry up. His compassion will never fail; His blessings will spring forth.

Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do.
    He will fill you with refreshment
    even when you are in a dry, difficult place.
    He will continually restore strength to you,
    so you will flourish like a well-watered garden
    and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing.
Isaiah 58:11 (The Passion Translation)

Are you willing to let the Lord guide you? Will you seek Him, follow His way, let His ever-flowing spring, satisfy your soul, and restore your strength?

Prayer; Our Lord, our hope and future, we thank You for Your forgiveness and guidance. When we are in a dry-difficult place, Lord, continue to guide us, refresh us with your ever-flowing stream of love and blessing. Teach us to flourish in faith, to be restored and fruitful, a well-watered garden. Like a fountain’s water, nourishes and reflects the plants, let us be nourished by Your ever-flowing stream and reflect Your love to others. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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I believe in the power of prayer. If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Right With God: Proverbs 11:28

²⁸He who trusts in his riches will fall, but those who are right with God will grow like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 (NLV)

When you rely on riches and wealth rather than trust in God, you are like a leaf that withers and falls to the ground. When you trust in God and rely on His Word, you are building a treasure in heaven. You are rooted in Christ and flourish like a healthy tree, with deep roots, strong branches, and laden with healthy green leaves. Instead of worshiping temporary riches, flourish spiritually and be right with God.

²⁸A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.
Proverbs 11:28 (MSG)

Where is your treasure? Are you right with God, thriving, growing, and flourishing?

Prayer: Our heavenly and loving Father teach us to trust in You and Your Word. Help us to put our faith in You rather than worldly riches. Let us be right with you, set our hearts on You, and grow and flourish spiritually. Like the rose of Sharon’s display of vibrant bright flowers and healthy green leaves, let us be vibrant in our faith and display healthy spiritual growth. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. If you would like prayer, I would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Good Soil: Luke 8:15

The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Luke 8:15 (NIV)

How do we become noble, have a good heart, and become good soil? By reading God’s Word (the bible), keeping His Word, and obeying His Word. In Luke 8, Jesus is explaining what kind of soil we need to become to produce a good crop, much fruit. People with noble, honest, and good intentions hear God’s Word cling to it are good soil. The power, strength, compassion, and love of God flow through those who hear His Word retain it, with perseverance maintain it, and produce a fruitful crop.

Is your spiritual soil rocky, thorny, hard, impenetrable soil, or good soil?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, teach us to read, maintain, and follow Your Word. Lead us and teach us to have a noble and good heart. Help us to become good soil, and to produce much fruit. Like the lady slipper wildflower needs soil with a special fungus to grow, we need to follow God’s Word and have a good heart to produce good soil and grow spiritual fruit. Show us Your way. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you.

Please leave me a comment or a message on the contact page. 🌺