Author: Nick Booth

Ephesians 1:1-10

Ephesians is a powerful message of God’s transforming power in and through Jesus Christ. “When, as global Christians, we look around our own neighbourhoods and around the world, we realize that we are called to live out our new life that has been granted to us. This includes ridding ourselves of what does not fit the new life of light and purity into which we have been swept up. Sexual immorality, degrading speech, falsehood, bitterness, and anger have no place in our lives anymore. It is no longer who we are. Not only do we seek purity for ourselves, we also seek God’s blessing in our relationships. In our marriages, jobs and families, we are called to be mindful of the Lord and to love as we have been loved.” (ESV Global Study Bible p1660)

Blessing and honour – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4dR_zuB3qk

DAY 1

By God’s will – 1:1-2

Who we are and our calling is by the will of God. Paul was not unique in God having a purpose for his life. His was a high calling indeed, he was to be the main human agent for the founding of the church in non-Jewish communities. ^v1 It was not Paul’s personal ambition, that was to destroy the church not found it. Paul misguidedly believed he was doing God’s will whilst being an enemy of Christ and his followers. Paul called himself the greatest of sinners. Paul was an enemy of Christ but that did not prevent Jesus from revealing himself to him, supernaturally and dramatically. Even at that point Jesus had a purpose for his life. What was true for Paul is true for us. God has a purpose, even purposes, for our lives. Our history does not prevent that purpose. We can jump on the train or stay on the platform and be left behind because it is up to us to do or not do what Paul did, which is to repent and believe. Each of the believers he was writing to in Ephesus and Asia Minor was also called by the will of God. A shared part of every believer’s calling is to live in the continuous unmerited love of God and to share in the peace that comes from his continued blessing. ^v3Imagine receiving a gift, delivered by DPD, from the Queen that turned out to be a priceless, glorious painting. That would be something to tell the neighbours. Jesus’ and God the Father’s unmerited eternal love, delivered not by DPD but by the Holy Spirit, is so much more.

James 4:11-5:19

Christian living can seem straight forward when we are gathered for worship but now as restrictions are lifting on what we do in everyday life and we meet more and more people, how do we live out the grace God has showered upon us? What should be our daily diet of Christian life in a world that lives by other priorities.

Day 5

5:13-19 Prayerful empathy.

In any one day we may meet with those who are celebrating a promotion, a child, a gift, a healing, the sunny weather, a friendship or good news. Just a few moments later we may then be in conversation with those experiencing great hardship, have received tragic news or are suffering chronic pain. How are we to react? Should we feel guilty when praising if we know others are in trouble? James’ answer is to respond with prayerful empathy. Rejoice and praise with those who can do so. ^v13 Pray for, sympathise with and support those who are suffering. ^{v 15} There is no conflict, with each one you will be joining in with their walk with Christ. Remember that whatever the temporary position we find ourselves in it is our permanent relationship with the Lord that is of overriding importance. The harmony of shared confession and intercessions leads to an effective Christian life. ^{vv 17-18} Wherever we see a fellow believer and are able to lovingly help them back to a living faith then this brings great blessing. ^{vv 19-20}
 

James 4:11-5:19

Christian living can seem straight forward when we are gathered for worship but now as restrictions are lifting on what we do in everyday life and we meet more and more people, how do we live out the grace God has showered upon us? What should be our daily diet of Christian life in a world that lives by other priorities.

Day 4

5:7-12 Patience in waiting for the Lord.

As we wait for the promised return of Jesus we are to be informed by his creation, and the example of previous saints’ perseverance. For those of us who plant seeds for food or pleasure we have learnt you can help a plant to grow but you have to exercise patience before you benefit from the harvest. Today I feel growing impatience to dig my first early potatoes and pick the sweetening gooseberries. So it is with the work of the Spirit whether that is in gospel outreach, the spiritual growth of fellow believers or the coming justice of Christ’s return. ^{Vv 7-9} Whilst we wait for the Lord to come we need to learn patience and joy even when our faith and declaration of the gospel brings suffering. At those times we join the multitudes of faithful disciples who have gone before us. But we will receive both compassion and mercy because the Lord is true to his character. ^{vv 10-11} Whilst we wait we are to be open, straightforward and honest in all we do and say because we have confidence in his return. ^v12
 

James 4:11-5:19

Christian living can seem straight forward when we are gathered for worship but now as restrictions are lifting on what we do in everyday life and we meet more and more people, how do we live out the grace God has showered upon us? What should be our daily diet of Christian life in a world that lives by other priorities.

Day 3

5:1-6 – Merciful use of wealth.

It is important to remember that James was writing to the church and in this passage to those members who were wealthy. The underlying principle is that Jesus who is the source of all things gave up everything to be merciful to the undeserving and those who had rejected him. If that is his perspective we should very carefully choose how we apply our money, status and power day by day. Hoarding wealth is futile and self corrosive and leads us into a path of sin. ^vv1-3 If an employer or investor ensure we are not deliberately or unwittingly oppressing others. ^v4 We should find our joy and fulfillment in the Lord not the temporary gratifications of luxury and self indulgence. ^{vv 5-6}

James 4:11-5:19

Christian living can seem straight forward when we are gathered for worship but now as restrictions are lifting on what we do in everyday life and we meet more and more people, how do we live out the grace God has showered upon us? What should be our daily diet of Christian life in a world that lives by other priorities.

 DAY 2

4:13-17 Humility about our plans and ambitions.

It has come very close to home for me recently that we cannot ever be sure that our plans and intentions will come to pass. Over confidence in our own abilities and success is often seen as a virtue in our contemporary society even in Christian circles. James however warns us that where such plans have become arrogance then God sees them as sinful. ^{v 16} We cannot be certain of our future or events. In all our plans we need to remain humble and be willing for the Lord’s will to differ from ours. ^v15 ‘What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.’ ^v14