Chapter 5

Ephesians   5:1-21    Living as Children of Light (continued)         

O such encouragement to imitate God, to model our actions on Christ!................for "we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." ⁸

But You forbid us to sin................and no foolish talk, rather praise and thanksgiving.    We look to You O Lord that we are not deceived, help us to be obedient so that your wrath does not come upon us.

We acknowledge that with you we are in the light: may we bring forth the fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth, to delight you.     Enable us to expose the evil in the world as your light shines through us.  

May the Church hear you cry "Wake up O sleeper".

Fill us we pray with your Holy Spirit, that we may sing to you with hearts and voices, with Joy and Thanksgiving, Praising you forever.

And so to Relationships Lord.   Life only has meaning in relationships.   Teach us to "submit to one another in reverence for Christ."

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Love

I gain only a feint impression of the Love you offer.
A creator's Love for what He has made.
A Love that is prepared to give everything for the perfection of His creation.
But not a controlling Love, for that would have been no love at all.
Instead a Love that gave me the Freedom to chose,
to obey your law or have my way.
What if I choose my way, will I disrupt your plan?
That would make You vulnerable.
 That is the risk you have taken in choosing me.
But that is the nature of Your Love,
Limitless, unconditional, true Love prepared to risk your plan being delayed by giving me a place in it.
............and when I disobey I can see that I cause you pain as I contribute to the failures and calamities that you did not ordain.
And because of your Love, you then share in the suffering and distress which was not part of your plan.
So what can I do with my Freedom to chose?
I must learn how to love as you commanded, only then, as I learn the cost, will I be what you predestined. me to be.  

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Ephesians    5:22-33      Wives and Husbands     

Thank you for this passage Lord.   This cause of distress, to so many modern wives.   I pray now for greater acceptance, understanding and right use of it within the Church.     May we see and understand the key:

verse 32  "This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church".

When the Church truly submits to you Lord, then we shall not have difficulties with this passage.    Women will realise that submission to a husband is indeed training for submission to the Heavenly Bridegroom, and men will know some of the difficulties that women have in this submission.    Praise God, for you can reveal this if we lay aside our worldly attitudes of mind.

As we meditate on the submission of the body to the spouse and the mystery of being one flesh, then we are enabled to partake in the submission of the soul to you O God................ Let us not be afraid to bring these actions together and allow you to teach us Lord.

So I pray for both husbands and wives to gently savour the meanings in these instructions.    May they allow their love and respect for each other, to become the basis of that unbreakable bond of marriage................ but I pray urgently that they love you more, yes remembering the first commandment.    I pray especially for the newly married that they learn that if you come first in their marriage then, strangely, there is more love for each other.

⁸  2Cor 2:15

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