Reflect
When sitting down at a restaurant I will examine the cutlery, dishes and glasses to check and see that there is no residue left over. I do that because, first of all it’s just gross to eat from items that haven’t be properly cleaned, and because I don’t want to get sick from some kind of contamination. Probably we all would bring a dirty glass or fork to the attention of a staff person and kindly ask that they replace it with something that is properly cleaned and ready for us to use.
In today’s passage Paul is challenging the Ephesians and us as well to examine our lives and check to see that there are no left over residual bits clinging to our new life in Christ. Paul’s instructions are to clear away the lies, the anger, the stealing, any of the old ways by which we may have operated before we submitted our lives to the Lordship of Christ. Thankfully, Jesus shines the light of His truth on our life and helps us see those places where bits and pieces of our old way of living show up. Paul encourages this kind of self-examination to protect us from providing places where Satan can get a grip on us.
Pastor Mike
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Lyle, for his family and his ministry.
- Pray for Eric Peters, Facility Manager; Custodians, Adit Gamble, Stan Goodnough and Anne King; Maintenance, Joe Richards.
- Pray for our Church Board members: Barbara Whidden, Bee Stiansen, Cam Klapstein, Darryl Sparling, Julie Leverette, Marvin Schneider, Matt Barker, Matt Chute, Mike Pedde, and Nick Mitchell.
- Pray for our office staff: Robin Radke and Naomi Voss; Bookkeeper Lynette Carlson.