IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Find out What Pleases the Lord

Date: Aug. 27, 2016

Passage

Ephesians 5:1-14  (ESV)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

  “Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead,
  and Christ will shine on you.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 5:10

and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

First, Follow God's example (1-7). As God's children we were created to follow his example, growing to bear his image and serve his purpose. We do this by walking in the way of love just as Jesus did. Jesus gave himself up for us as a sacrifice to God. In contrast, disobedient people live in impurity and greed, are unthankful, and are idolaters. So we should not live like that, nor be partners with such people.

Second, live as children of light (8-14). We were once in darkness, but no longer. As God's children, we are children of light. God's light represents all goodness, righteousness and truth. When in darkness, we only lived to please ourselves, and did shameful things. Now we are called to deny ourselves and instead find out what pleases the Lord by living in the light.

Prayer: Father, thank you for delivering me from darkness and making me your child. I want to please you, following Christ's example. Help me find out how to please you today in my words and actions.

One Word: find out what pleases God and do it

Daily Bread

A New Heaven and a New Earth

Revelation 21:1-8

Key Verse: 21:2

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

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Intro Daily