Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Ephesians 5:6-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Reflect

What blesses you? The word blessed means to be happy or blissful, but it also means a self-contained happiness.

Some believers are blessed by being with other Christians. Others are blessed by doing random acts of kindness or using their spiritual gifts in their local church. Many are blessed by a sermon, one’s testimony, or a heartfelt prayer.

In verses 19 and 20 in today’s text, Paul the Apostle writes
As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NRSV)

I love this scripture because I am blessed by gospel music. Earlier today I was speaking to a friend who was talking about her church’s Bible study about heaven. She mentioned her excitement about learning about heaven and what its residents were experiencing. I immediately thought of the wonderful hymn:

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all get to heaven
We’ll sing and shout the Victory!
Let’s all sing and let the blessings flow!

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Pray

Lord, we do thank you for all You do for us. We thank you for the special blessings You bestow upon us through so many ways. I thank you for music, the spreading of Your Word and message through the instrument and song. May we not just sing, but may we actually read the words, for they are so powerful. Bless us now, we sing. Amen.

Go with God!