From Believers to Disciples
Friday, May 18, 2007
From Believers to Disciples Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the evidence of the Holy Spirit in my life, which includes fellowship with other believers, singing in my mind and spirit to you; and a grateful attitude for all You are and all You have done in my life. I pray that such evidence my be evident to those around me today, and that the joy and positive approach to life You give me may be contagious. I pray for a fresh filling of Your Holy Spirit in my life that I may “overflow” to others with Your great grace and goodness. All this I ask in the powerful name of Jesus, and for the sake of His coming Kingdom! Amen.
God’s Word Today
As we read God’s word this week, it will be from both the New Living Translation and the New International Version. We will look at one or two verses each day.
15So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. 17Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. 19Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
In reading Ephesians 5:19-20 what are the characteristics of a Spirit-filled believer?
Which of the characteristics of the Spirit-filled believer come most naturally for you? With which do you find a challenge?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
What does Ephesians 5:19-20 tell us about how to go deeper in our walk with Jesus?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
The response to being filled with the Spirit is greater intimacy with God—a greater sense of relationship and friendship with Him. As we move into a Spirit-filled life, we find ourselves more naturally turning to the Lord in every situation. As we go about the day when challenges come we lift them immediately to the Lord. Think about the day ahead of you. What challenges do you know you will face? What challenges are likely to come your way? Take some time right now and ask the Lord to fill you and equip you to meet each one.
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
This week, the Youth Missions Team that will be carrying out Hurricane Relief in St. Bernard’s Parish Louisiana July 28-August 4, will start its training. Please remember the team in your prayers, and please lift up Missionary Bill Richardson of Cutting Edge Ministries who will be our leader for this experience. Prayer is the key that unlocks the resources of God as we serve in the name of Jesus. Pray that God will give the team unity of purpose, a bond of the Spirit, and that they will prepare for the trip by living boldly in Jesus’ name each day as they prepare!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
Spiritual Songs!
Many folks have made an issue over the distinction of Paul in identifying psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Usually, such concerns revolve around what type of music is “appropriate” for worship. The reality is Paul wasn’t concerned about worship music. He was telling us that when we are filled with the Spirit our hearts are filled with music for the Lord. We sing—psalms obviously are Scripture; hymns are not what we know as hymns, since they weren’t developed until after the Reformation, but they obviously have something to do with praising God; spiritual songs may either be songs that present spiritual matter, or more likely songs that are sung “in the spirit.” For Paul that meant songs sung in “tongues.” As we go about our daily lives, the “song” in our heart comes when the Spirit is in charge. So, if our lives aren’t filled with “song” that glorifies God, we need to ask God to fill us anew with His Spirit!