Daily Walk through the New Testament
December 31

Read Ephesians 6:5-24

Christians face an invisible, powerful, and spiritual enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy us. However, as military strategists put it, “It is a winnable war.” We fight not for but from victory. Satan has us in his crosshairs, but we have “the whole armor of God” (6:11). Our armor may not be seen by people, but is feared by demons.
When Paul said, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities” he used the word WE. It’s not just some Christians — all of us are in the battle. Many new Christians notice that the problems in their lives intensify as soon as they turn to Christ. That is not a coincidence. Satan attacks us with “wiles,” or schemes (vs. 11). As the accuser, he develops guilt & doubt in our hearts. He lies to us. As the tempter, he tries to lead us astray into sin. As the adversary, he opposes all that we do for God.
In a battle or war, there’s always something at stake, and it’s no different with spiritual warfare. In Ancient Greek contests, the eyes of whoever lost the battle were gouged out, but our spiritual battle is even more intense than that! Winning or losing this battle will determine not only our spiritual eyesight but also the eternal fate of human souls — our family, church, and nation. We are fighting in hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart combat. We are not victims but victors through Christ.
We don’t seek just to be winners in a contest but also prayer warriors and soul winners (6:18-20). Do you know someone who is in the heat of the battle? Spend time praying for that person today. Also, stand your ground so you can speak the Word today. Make yourself available to God, and be willing to open your mouth and boldly share god’s saving grace with someone (6:19). You can trust he will use you if you are willing. Always be confident as you wrestle in spiritual warfare. Our enemy is powerful, but our God is greater (1 John 4:4)!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

December 30

Read Ephesians 5:15-6:4

When Christians read about submission in this passage, many associate it with sexism and inequality. In this age of liberation, submission is a very unpopular idea, even in the church. Unfortunately, too many Christians have followed the world’s example and adopted self-fulfillment as the greatest goal of marriage, promoting personal pleasure rather than a mutual commitment to sacrificial love. Biblical submission, however, is not about forced inequality — it is about loving respect and recognition of God’s order of authority.
Ephesians 5:18 says we are called to “be filled with the Spirit.” This is never more necessary than in family relationships. It is impossible to obey God’s commands without His power. A wife must ask, “Do I love my husband enough to live for him?” A husband must ask, “Do I love my wife enough to die for her?” Both involve initial submission to the Lord. After all, Paul’s verb concerning the fullness of the Spirit is in the plural, so it can be translated “all of you be filled.” That means men, women, and children — all of us — are to be filled.
While submission literally refers to rank and authority, it also implies ordered, voluntary recognition of equality. What woman would not want to respect a Spirit-filled man who loves her as Christ loved the church? (Or vice versa) What child would not want to learn from a parent who has the wisdom of God?
As you seek to live in the fullness of the Spirit, sincerely progress through these steps on a daily basis: realize your need, repent of sin, submit to Christ’s lordship, identify with His death and resurrection, and request His control.
As you aim to submit to the Lord and love your family members well, remember that giving God glory through living out His will is more important than defending your personal rights and feelings (5:17). The Christian life is about selflessness, not self-indulgence. It’s about putting others first, not yourself.
Ask God every day to help you live a life of love and service, like Jesus, and to cherish and nourish your spouse and your children, those precious people with whom He has blessed you.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
December 29

Answer the following questions regarding your readings from this past week:

1.) What are some of the characteristics that describe Christ’s love?

2.) What are the ways understanding Christ’s love will make you more like Him?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
December 28
Read Ephesians 4:17-5:14

The first 3 chapters of Ephesians address the doctrine of salvation, while the final 3 discuss how we are to live once we are saved — the practical matters of the Christian life. Life for those who are saved is vastly different from those who are not. The saved and the lost are characterized by different motives and behaviors. Two similar characteristics that often dominate the lost are greed and covetousness. Both are given as descriptors of the lost in 4:19 & 5:5. We must not allow these sins to creep back into our lives once we are saved.
Our culture feeds the sinful desires that result in greed & covetousness. Our society has convinced us we deserve more money & possessions. Unfortunately, even some Christian ministries today base their teaching on claims that God wants us to have more material wealth. As a result, many Christians find themselves trapped in idolatrous behaviors. Idolatry is placing anything above god & His will for us.
God can help us overcome these sinful desires. The key for us is to maintain submission to Jesus daily. The result is contentment in Christ.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
December 27
Read Ephesians 3:8-4:16

The power of God and understanding Christ’s love is necessary for spiritual maturity. Paul prayed that God would enable believers “to comprehend” and “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge” (vs. 18-19). We need the Holy Spirit to help us grasp the vastness of God’s love. God extends His love through Christ to all of humanity. He reaches down to sinners and lifts them to heavenly places.
The ability to grasp Christ’s love results in being “filled with all the fullness of God” (3:19). In other words, the Spirit enlightens us and empowers us to grow into the image of Christ.
Pray that you would mature spiritually by understanding God’s love for you in Christ more deeply. Ask God to help you conform to Christ’s image and imitate Him daily.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

December 26
Read Ephesians 2:4-3:7

Scripture says we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Ephesians echoes that by saying that without Christ, we were “dead in trespasses and sins” and “by nature children of wrath” (2:1, 3). We know that something dead cannot bring itself to life, but praise God that by His grace, He makes the spiritually dead spiritually alive!
When we put our faith in Christ for salvation, God “made us alive together with Christ” (2:5). We are united with Christ, and we share in His resurrected life and heavenly glory. We are no longer slaves to our sinful nature, we are enabled to do good works, and we are destined for heaven. God didn’t just leave us in our helpless state, even though we were His enemies — He saved us and poured out His blessings on us. What mercy! How can this be? “Because of His great love with which He loved us” (vs. 4).
God is the epitome of love. He possesses and practices a love that is beyond human comprehension, and His great love results in giving us mercy. We did not earn or deserve salvation; He took the initiative to save us because of who He is!
We are examples of God’s mercy. May we not forget the state from which we have been redeemed, and may we bring Him glory for His work of salvation. Praise god today that He is holy, loving, and merciful!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

December 25
Read Ephesians 1:1-2:3

You are precious to God. He chose you to be His very own. When you truly believe that about yourself, you should also recognize other people’s value as a result. One way to acknowledge the value of others is to pray for them.
The lack of intercession among believers is one of the weaknesses of the church today. Remembering how valuable our brothers and sisters in Christ are should motivate us to love them by praying for them. Intercession will strengthen them and help them grow in faithfulness — and being others-focused will bless us as well.
Try following Paul’s example of intercession for the Ephesians. Pray for a realization of the hope of our salvation (1:18). Pray that we as Christians will understand how blessed we are to be saved and understand how to live once we are saved. And pray for an awareness of God’s power, which overwhelms the forces of evil, that is available to all of us (vs. 19). Start interceding today!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
December 24
Read Galatians 5:16-6:18

Anyone who has gardened or farmed knows that the law of the harvest is constant. When you plant squash, you harvest squash. When you plant beans, you harvest beans. Our lives are the same way. Our actions and behaviors are like seeds planted, and one day we will reap what we sow. All the decisions we make and behaviors we choose today will bring consequences to morrow. If we choose to ignore the principles of God and follow human desires, we will ultimately reap the consequences of that type of life. Many of the hardships we experience are the results of our own decisions. We are quick to blame God for our troubles, when the fact is, we are often to blame.
Praise God that He is gracious toward us! We must be grateful for God’s mercy and forgiveness but also understand that we are accountable for our actions. If we ignore God’s purpose and plan, we will eventually lose our reward when we stand before Jesus.
You can look forward to a joyful harvest by surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Sow seeds of obedience every day. In time, you will reap a great harvest, one that blesses you and glorifies God.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
December 23
Read Galatians 4:21-5:15

Two extremes that must be avoided in the Christian life are addressed in our text for today. The first extreme is legalism. Redemption is not the result of performing religious rituals and ceremonies. Sanctification is not the result of traditionalism. Adhering to codes of personal conviction (not based on Scripture) and ethics of human expectation is not the way to regeneration and a God-pleasing life. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work is the only way to salvation.
If we neglect faith and return to a system of rules and regulations to please God, we will rob ourselves of joy, hinder our ability to love God, and taint the gospel. If we entrap ourselves in legalism, we will take credit for our own righteousness. Instead, we must realize our righteousness only comes through the grace of god and the exercise of faith. We must realize how much we have been forgiven and how little we deserve it. When we do, we will fuel our love for God.
The second extreme is licentiousness. Misguided Christians use their freedom as an excuse to sin. We are saved to be holy and to serve God and others, not to indulge ourselves. A proper understanding of this text results in a fulfilled and effective life.
Today, trust in Christ instead of your own rule-keeping, and give yourself to holiness and service instead of sinful self-indulgence.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

December 22

Answer the following questions regarding your readings from this past week:

1.) Are you putting your trust or faith in anything other than Jesus, even if it is a             good thing?
What steps do you need to take so you can learn to trust Jesus in all things             and with all things?

2.) You were made to be free in Jesus. What are some of the roadblocks in your             life that keep you from living in the freedom Jesus desires for you?
What will you do when you identify those roadblocks?