Ephesians 3:1-5 – “Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children ² and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³ But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. ⁴ Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

We are in the Last of the Last Days.  I can say that because of what I see and sense, and because of biblical prophecy, and because of the timeline from Jesus until now.  Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established.  Things change, but God remains constant.

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the thought of “our condition” filled my thoughts.  I often wonder how deceived we are. What do I mean?  Not about the truth of Jesus.  Not about a literal heaven and hell. I’m talking about “deception of condition.”

We justify our condition and that of others because we cannot bring ourselves to acknowledge the possibility that our condition is unacceptable to God.  After all, we profess Christ, go to church, and see ourselves as relatively good people.

Ephesians should be a frequent stop in our pursuit to know God.  Ephesians 5 is incredibly revealing.   I suggest a thorough study of verses 3-5.  Some live lives contrary to God’s Word and use language, manifest attitudes, practice things we know God abhors, and yet still believe we are spiritually okay. Are we?

Ephesians 5:17-21 should be required reading almost daily.  Not just reading but implementing the directives.  Are we saturated with the Holy Spirit, or are we filled with ourselves? What are we saturated with?

How do we become saturated with the Spirit of God?  How do we become so full of Jesus that He is seen in everything we say and do?  I recommend reading verses 19-21. I urge everyone to read Ephesians 4 and meditate on it.

Father, I give myself to You.  All of me.  I make no excuses, gloss over no sin, and confess my failures and my desire to be pure.  I choose to be obedient in Everything!  Purge me!  I know that may be painful and embarrassing, but You are more important than my pride or comfort.  Thank you. Amen.

May this prayer become your prayer!

Haggai 2:6-7 – “Moreover, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has said: ‘In just a little while I will once again shake the sky and the earth, the sea and the dry ground. ⁷ I will also shake up all the nations, and they will offer their treasures; then I will fill this temple with glory.”

The light of God is shining!  The grace of God has come!  The judgment and the restoration of God are at hand!  We can be fearful if we focus on the wrong things.   Love holds us up in difficult times.  Therefore, be strengthened knowing that you are loved!

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, death and life were my focus.   In those thoughts flow realities of natural and spiritual life.  God is a Holy and just God who cannot ignore sin and corruption.  Therefore, judgment on individuals and nations is unavoidable.  A shaking is coming. (Haggai 2).

We can focus on death and destruction and be consumed with the law!  We can focus on Christ and the Cross and become, as Paul said in Galatians 6:14-15, that through Jesus, the world is crucified to me and I to it.  The transformation of the New Birth moves us from death to life!

This is not an effort to keep a set of rules, but having a subdued heart of submission.  In that mindset, we avoid the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). We pursue the things of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26).

Galatians 5:24 needs to be embraced: “And those who belong to Christ have controlled their weaknesses and passions.”   Then in verse 25 – “Let us therefore live in (by and through) the Spirit and surrender to the Spirit.”

In Christ, the world (flesh) is crucified to me and I to it.  We are free in Jesus! We can now LIVE, truly LIVE!

Obadiah 3 – “The pride of your heart has deceived you…”

Jonah 2:1 – “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.”

Micah 7:18 – “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, some key words filled my consciousness. They were “P” words.

Obadiah 3 reveals that “pride” is a deceiver.  It gives false confidence and trusts its own ability or knowledge.  In the account of Jonah, as he ran from the word because of Pride, we find him in a storm and consumed by the fish. Jonah 2:1, it was then that he “prayed.”

In repentance, he went to Nineveh with the Word, and they received it and repented.  Jonah became angry. Why? “PRIDE.”  That spirit is exhibited in those who attack others before the world. Jonah was embarrassed that his prophecy of judgment was not carried out. His reputation was threatened in his mind. Why? Pride! His focus was on self, not redemption!

God’s purpose is restoration.  God’s provision is a word to warn and a willingness to forgive. (Micah 7:18)  The counsel of the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:9 is germane. “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the same faith; heal your souls. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? If this is not so, then you are rejected.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 provides a rock to run to. “My grace is sufficient…”  The idea is not that it is just enough to get us through the moment, but that it is COMPLETELY SUFFICIENT in all things and at all times.

So, let’s reject pride, renounce perversion, and embrace peace and provision. May the power of God be manifest to you and through you.

1 Corinthians 6:20 – “For you were bought at a price. Therefore, glorify God with your body.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I once again saw two streams flowing in these Last Days, leading up to the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus.

In Joel 1, there are 4 types of locusts unleashed on the land. Judgment can only be averted by repentance and intercession.   In Joel 2:28-32, I see two streams: judgment and restoration.  In Joel 3, we are told to get ready for war, and in verse 13, we see a harvest arising from that war.

In Amos 4, we see the results of rebellion: famine, drought, blight, and pestilence.  In Amos 5, we are told to seek God rather than religious institutions or systems.

We need God’s heart to survive and thrive in this hour of corruption, deception, and destruction. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 lays out a list that reveals God’s heart.  In verses 16-18, we hear God’s call to come out from among them, not in isolation but in participation with them in their deeds.  We come out “separated” in the sense that they know we are different and leave no question as to whom we serve.  We become an example of godliness amid ungodliness.

Do those we associate with in the course of life see a difference in us?  Do they see Jesus in us?  If Jesus were present, conviction would be manifest. Is it when we are present?  If Jesus were present, the room’s atmosphere would change.  Does it when we are present?

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 gives us a key to victory.  We are human, but our source of strength is not of this world.  We have weapons and tools to defeat every devil we face.  We must take charge of our imaginations (minds) and cast down every thought that is not the heart of God: every thought and every time they surface.

Total surrender brings total victory.  The onslaught of evil is at hand, but the overflow of the Spirit is here as well.  Two streams will propel us into eternity. Which stream will we follow?

LORD, help us seek restoration!

Hosea 4:12 – “My people ask counsel of their own imagination, and their staff declares to them the directions…”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the word ‘reconciliation’ kept coming to mind.  Sadly, there is an element or development in Christian circles that feels the purpose of believers is to expose every perceived error and destroy the errant ones. Is that reconciliation? Do we forget what we have been forgiven of?

Hosea 4:12 makes an interesting statement. “My people ask counsel of their own imagination, and their staff declares to them the directions…”   If we become so self-righteously pious that we believe we are beyond correction, we endanger ourselves spiritually.

Yes, we should hear from God personally, but he used a donkey to talk to Balaam and a rooster to talk to Peter.  How dare we think He cannot use others to speak words to us we have not yet heard.   Out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, every word is confirmed.  Not every word is a God Word, but sometimes words are from Him.

2 Corinthians 2:6-7 reveals that correction (in the church) must flow from love, mercy, and forgiveness.   2 Corinthians 5:17-19 tells us that, as “New creations,” we are engaged in the ministry of reconciliation.

There are many fruit inspectors today and too few reconcilers. Galatians 6:1, “My brethren, if anyone be found at fault, you who are spiritual, restore him in a spirit of meekness; and be careful lest you also be tempted.”   The next verse says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

How can I be a “new creation,” manifest the heart of Jesus, and not have the heart of a reconciler?   Don’t be “mercy for me but justice for thee.”

LORD, help us to be Reconcilers!