Ephesians 5 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the L_rd’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Ruach (Spirit): speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the L_rd in your heart, giving thanks for everything to G_d the Father in the name of our L_rd and Messiah, Yeshua, submitting to one another in the fear of Messiah.” Ephesians 5: 15-21

We live in an age where many professing believers spend very little time reading the Bible. To be honest, most followers of Messiah would admit they should spend more time studying G_d’s Word. When asked why they spend so little time searching the Scriptures, the average believer answers that they simply don’t have the time, or they feel inadequate to comprehend the text. Believers generally prefer to have the Bible filtered and dispensed through a congregational leader, than to read it for themselves.

Today, G_d’s message to us, through Paul’s letter, is that we should be wise, careful and understanding of the L_rd’s will. The L_rd’s will comes in two varieties: Revealed and Unrevealed.

For instance, an example of G_d’s unrevealed will would be something like…how the “anti-messiah” will rise to power in the world. While theologians may have varied opinions as to end-times scenarios, we will not know exactly how G_d will accomplish His will, until He reveals it in His time, according to His great wisdom. Until then, the best we can do is to speculate.

As for G_d’s revealed will, that’s easy. It is the Bible. Everything we need to know about G_d, and having a right relationship with Him, is contained in the pages of Scripture.

Before one comes to know Yeshua in a saving way, they are unwise. They may have been successful and wise in the ways of the World, but in G_d’s eyes, they were foolish. For instance, I used to live to party. I loved the fashion of partying, party people and mostly the music. It all glorified my Worldly lifestyle.

But by G_d’s grace, I was saved, filled with the Ruach (Spirit) and began reading the Bible. Through the Bible, G_d began revealing how I should honor Him with my life. The Psalmist was correct when he said, “He put a new song in my mouth”. My song changed, because the object of my worship had changed.

Beyond that, when I began applying G_d’s instruction to my life, He began replacing my desires for “self” with the desire to serve others.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Wednesday, October 9, 2013