Wednesday 13th July - Ephesians 5
Today’s chapter is Ephesians 5, you can read it here.
Tom writes:
My brother used to speak to me with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. I wanted to smash his face in. I suspect we both needed to be filled with the Spirit. But, thinking back, I realise that he was doing something really wonderful and revolutionary; he was seeking to stretch his faith-growing routine beyond a 90 minute slot on a Sunday. For too long my view of christian practice was restricted to Sunday mornings and then - when I felt really keen - a bible study “quiet time” at some unearthly hour of the morning. If we are to truly be filled with all the fulness of Jesus and to live up to this staggering vocation of seeing all things united under his lordship then we must find more life-giving rhythms that draw the supremacy of Jesus all across our lives, all through the week. In the Vineyard we know that the Holy Spirit is utterly foundational for this. We must be filled with the Spirit. Stop reading this right now. Ask again for Holy Spirit to fill you. Ask not just that you have a quick quiver in your liver or even begin to shaker like a Quaker. Instead ask Holy Spirit to grip you and mould you and remain upon you every second of this day. You collaborate in Spirit’s work in you by speaking words of worship and pursuing paths towards purity. The place to start is the home. So let’s get real. Filling your mind with some stuff, choosing to speak out other stuff is foolish, it is unwise; it will leave you half asleep.
What you watch and fill your mind with forms who you are. A habit of listening to worship at home will help cure an addiction to pornography, or lust, or an awkwardness in romantic relationships. A daily dose of the peace-loving Word of God will make you less prone to anger. Silence and stillness will undercut your greed. If you are struggling in your marriage, or just want a better marriage, or you are struggling as a parent.. don’t give up. Jesus’ fullness can fill up anything you lack. But you don’t get there by focusing on what your spouse (or kid) is doing wrong. Instead, simply establish rhythms of grace that sprinkle the mystery of the Messiah into the murkiness of the marriage. Find regular, repeated ways to enable those around you to hear of the love Jesus has for them and for the hope they can have for their lives. Prioritise practices that enable your loved ones to be filled with the Spirit. Some effort is required to do this. It won’t always be easy. But the payoff is delicious and Holy Spirit does most of the work. So why don’t you establish some new habits today? They will wake you up to all that is good, and drench your life in Jesus’ love.
Question for reflection
What habits do you have in your home?