QT 9/28/2026 Eph 6:1-3, Honoring difficult parents

Ephesians 6:1–3 (ESV) —

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

 

NOTE: My Dad passed some time ago. I do have spiritual mentors and I do visit them on occasion. I'm visiting my mother in the next few days. It is hard to honor her because I feel I disagree with her on so many things. I guess I'm not much different from today's generation that has totally disengaged from their family. I am visiting because I should. I am listening and talking but not with much depth less something be misconstrued. I feel I am barely meeting the requirements of honor. I know she appreciates it. But it has been almost two years since I have seen her. And she has yet to meet the two grandchildren. I suppose I will offer to fly her and my sister down again. And I think that is part of what it means to honor her -- what can I do. I do call, but irregularly.

 

Each of us need to step back and ask these questions. What does it mean to honor your parents? You can disagree on many points, but you can still be civil and talk.

 

PONDER:

1. What can I do to honor my parent?
2. What should I do to honor my parent?

 

PRAYER: God, I pray for wisdom for what I can do to honor my Mom. I think time together is good, but I struggle to do anything beyond two days. I like to take her out to eat and walk with her in her stores, but is there anything else I can do for her? Give me wisdom.

QT 9/25/2026 Eph 5:25–33, A high call for husbands

Ephesians 5:25–33 (ESV) —

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

 

NOTE: This seems like an incredibly tall order. God gave a man (who marries), one person to love, cherish, and build up into a beautiful bride. How are we doing? If we are honest, most men should feel like failures because they care more for themselves than their wife. We are selfish. We are narcissistic. We are anything but like Jesus who sacrificially gave his life for the church. Do we even know our wives? What are their goals today? What do they want to see happen in the next five years? What are we doing to make those dreams realities.

 

I realize that this QT is addressed to men, not women. I think a serious take on these verses should be a wakeup call to all husbands. We were given a task by God for one and only one woman, how are we doing?

 

PONDER:

1. How are we implementing these verses in our marriage?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for not taking these things as seriously as I should. I pray for some good conversations in these next couple of weeks. I pray of opportunities to clearly express my love for my wife.

QT 9/24/2026 Eph 5:22–24, A misused word, submission

Ephesians 5:21–24 (ESV) —

21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

 

NOTE: An interesting fact is that the word submit is not in the Greek text for verse 22. It is in the proceeding verse 21, where everyone submits to one another out of reverence for Christ. Verse 22 follows mutual submission with "wives to husbands as to the Lord." Also verse 24, in the Greek text, only has the word submits once in the statement "the church submits to Christ" followed by the phrase, "wives in everything to their husband." Even though the word submit is omitted in the Greek in both cases, it carries forward the thought of how women submit to one another in the church and how woman submits to Christ. Their specific role is to their husbands, but let's not forget the main rule, everyone submits to one another, and everyone in the church submits to Christ. This is not a "women-only" rule. It is a church-wide rule. The husbands submits to his wife by sacrificial love for her (verses 25-33). She is not his slave, she is precious and special and to be protected. She is his greatest gift from God. That does not make her an object, since she shares the same body with him as they become one.

 

In today's modern deconstruction trend, these verses are misinterpreted and maligned to the woman's hurt. Her greatest joy can be found in God's will for her life. Today, woman seek a cause and give themselves over to emotional rage because deep down they are hurting and out of touch with their savior. Deconstructing their faith will do them no good. It is a covering, a Band-Aid, that does not heal the wound.

 

PONDER:

1. Personally, as a man, I feel the husband's job is harder. And I also think husband's failure are much greater. In some ways, the woman's refusal to consider "biblical submission" is our (men's fault). I'm not sure I could always submit to myself. What are we, as men, doing to change our submission to make the women's submission one of joy?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to see where I am inconsiderate, quick to speak but not listen, and not appreciative of my wife. Give me grace to change.

QT 9/23/2026 Eph 5:15–21, Walking wisely, using time wisely, and following God's will (subtitle: avoiding foolishness)

Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV) —

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 

NOTE: I think the question must be asked individually for each person, what does it mean to walk wisely? What does it mean for me to make the best use of my time? What is the will of God for me?

 

Answering the questions in reverse order, the will of God is watching (and teaching) my two two-year old grandchildren 10 hours a day, five days a week. It doesn't sound very important compared to my positions and titles over my career, but this is God's will, and this is very important. Those two children are of immense importance. They are my holy task.

 

The best use of my time during this time in my life, is to find time for quiet time every day (this blog records my QT today), bible study (Saturday morning), worship (Sunday morning), reading some, sharing my faith, and some time for rejuvenation.

 

Wise living is found in God's word, not computer games or mindless reels. Those things waste time and really are unwise. Puzzles are probably okay for my mind, but most of the other stuff has negative effects.

 

PONDER:

1. How do I answer the three questions, and what am I going to do about it, in terms of the answers?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to keep my eyes on the important things. Help me to live wisely and in your will. As I take 11 days off to visit family on vacation, help me to maintain these priorities as best as I can. The primary thing, watching children will have a reprieve, but I have great opportunities to share my faith. May I be bold, gentle, and respectful.

QT 9/22/2026 Eph 5:8–14, Overwhelming Love

Ephesians 5:8–14 (ESV) —

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (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.”

 

NOTE: Verse 10 says to try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. This verse needs some comment. There are people who choose to go back to the OT regulations on diet using an argument that it is more pleasing to the Lord. Paul has argued strongly against that type of thinking in his letters to the Colossians and to the Corinthians. I think the key is while your actions can please or displease the Lord (this would seem to be clear from the implication of verse 10), you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT INCREASE God's love for the believer in Jesus Christ. That love cannot be measured. It is totally based on what the Son did on the cross. You are adopted into God's family. You are loved beyond understanding. It is a theological error to believe any work or works can increase God's love for you. That cannot change once you are born again. Still, having said all that, it is possible to please the Lord by our works and actions. There also rewards in heaven. But the reason we 'work' for these rewards, is out of a recognition of God's great grace in saving us, and in a very puny way, our only means to express thankfulness.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I living my life in a way that communicates my enormous thankfulness for salvation?

 

PRAYER: Father, nothing I do can repay salvation. My words fall short. My actions fall short. But, despite that, I intend to live my life in such a way that the actions express my great thankfulness for saving a sinner as I.

QT 9/21/2026 Eph 5:3–7, We must be different from the world

Ephesians 5:3–7 (ESV) —

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 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. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;

 

NOTE: "Let no one deceive you with empty words." That is just about everybody today. We hear: It's okay, it's not sin, it is completely natural, everyone does it, it's consenting adults, God has already forgiven all sin, and on and on. That sentence is full of the empty words that Satan, the ultimate deceiver has spread upon the world. It is this plan of his that is hastening the coming wrath that will come upon those who do not believe. We cannot fall for the trap. We cannot let ourselves be lulled into a sense of safety. Sinning against God, even as Sons of God, has consequences. We must never give up the fight for godliness and holiness. Our witness depends upon how we live our life.

 

PONDER:

1. Would those around you know you are a Christian by your life alone?
2. What about strangers or people you have just met?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am going to be meeting a bunch of strangers at a class reunion soon. They are strangers because I really did not know anyone but a few during my 4 years in High School. I don't even remember the names of most people. I will see them for a few hours. I pray for grace and mercy to present a godly witness to those I meet. Give me the words and wisdom to cause them to reexamine the gospel.

QT 9/18/2026 Eph 5:1–2, Defending the faith by living a life of love

Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV) —

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 

NOTE: Nowadays, the word 'love' is thrown around a lot. I read one website which actually used the slogan "I hate those who hate." I know the intent of the slogan is to gain attention, but the sheer idiocy of it, is hard to get past. Logically, you hate yourself. And in reality, you hate everyone who does not agree with what you agree or believe in. In other words, your life is characterized by hating about 40 percent of the people you come in contact with. I understand that Christians are characterized as hating others -- transgender, homosexual, abortionists, atheists, etc. The reality is that Christians are to hate the sin, not the person. People are made in the image of God and have intrinsic (if not infinite worth). While I am sure there are examples out there, the media has painted with a very broad brush. True believers in Jesus Christ walk in love. Yes, we hate sin and can call sin, sin. But we love people and because we love people, we want them to know the truth. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I hate sin or do I hate people? The bible is clear, we are to hate sin, and we are to love people.

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to live in such a way that my love for people, all people is clearly shown. Help me to share truth and to answer questions about my faith but to do it in a loving manner that gives respect and dignity to the other person.

QT 9/17/2026 Eph 4:29–32, Build others up, not down

Ephesians 4:29–32 (ESV) —

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 

NOTE: Continuing the "put off-put on" theme, Paul gives a few more examples (I will focus on one). Instead of corrupting talk, we are to build others up with our words. 'Corrupting' gives the idea of something that degrades or causes rot. Instead, our words should build others up. Even though it is not an antonym, the word sculpt fits nicely. An artist takes an unfinished object and sculpts it into something beautiful. Ultimately, it is God's job to decide on what God is sculpting in another's life. But we can change a person's attitude by treating them with respect, dignity, joy, and positive comments. Our words can truly help in God's transformation process. For too many people, and I will admit to being in this category, we critique people because we want them to be better. There is a place for critique, but I venture, we (meaning me) would do much better with 10 positive comments to every critical comment. I have changed in this regard, and I have also seen how it has changed others' responses to me as well.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I build others up or do I tear others down with my words?

 

PRAYER: Father, reveal to us when and where we are tearing others down. Help us to see which is the first step, then repent (the second step), and then to praise people for the good things God is doing in their life.

QT 9/16/2026 Eph 4:25–28, Developing balance to life and responses to sin

Ephesians 4:25–28 (ESV) —

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

 

NOTE: In these three examples of "put off and put on," we see that it is not enough to just stop doing something, we need to replace it. The best examples are those that directly deal with the sin. Stealing requires the use of your hands (most notably), but so does sharing with others. Also stealing takes away, but sharing gives away. These are the best examples, exact opposite actions.

 

What is my struggle that I need to let go, and what is the exact opposite action? Sometimes, the problem is too much free time. In that case, you need to fill it up. That usually is not the problem for most people unless you are retired or just plain lazy. God created work, hard work before the fall and called it good. Yes, rest is also good. But too much of either is unhealthy. It then remains for us to figure out what we need. Do I need more sleep, more consistent wake up times, or more volunteering? I can answer that question for myself, but not for others. Each person will be different.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I need to do to change my lifestyle?

 

PRAYER: Father, give us grace and wisdom to understand our own problems with sin. Give us your spirit to keep us from sin. Protect us from the enemy.

QT 9/15/2026 Eph 4:20-24, Experiencing permanent change

Ephesians 4:20–24 (ESV) —

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

NOTE: One of the true secrets of the Christian life is the principle of "put off and put on." While it certainly is possible to stop bad habits or behavior in its tracks, it is not normal, at least in your own strength. First, anything we do in our own strength is often a failure in the long term. Second, while the Holy Spirit can give us the strength to stop a behavior, often we need to replace the behavior with a new behavior, preferably related. We need to change our mindset. We need spiritual power. I have found that an active life of memorizing scripture, even a verse every day, can sufficiently fill up my time as to prevent me from certain behaviors. The other advantage of scripture is that it is supernatural. You cannot fill your mind with scripture without it changing you.

 

PONDER:

1. What is your plan to change sinful behaviors?
2. What will you replace a sinful behavior with?

 

PRAYER: Father, it is simplistic to think that just memorizing a verse will stop a sin, but a lifetime of memorizing verses will change a person even beyond recognition. I pray that others could experience the life transforming effect of the word of God in their minds.

QT 9/14/2026 Eph 4:17-19, We need a changed life that comes from truth and belief

Ephesians 4:17–19 (ESV) —

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

 

NOTE: How NOT to walk as a Christian is pretty clear, don't walk (live) like you used to live. Notice the emphasis on the mind. In the past, there was a certain futility in our thinking. Our understanding was darkened, probably the result of believing what others said about life versus what God says. We were ignorant of God and our hard heart did not want to know God. We were callous and empty, and we sought sensuality and greed to fill up our empty souls. But none of that works. It only gets worse as we seek to follow Satan's schemes. We want to be lied to, because it suits our sin. We don't want truth because then we would have to repent of our sins, even though our sins are the cause of our emptiness. We would be hopeless if Jesus had not died for our sins and offered us a gift that can completely change us from the inside out.

 

PONDER:

1. Who do you listen to, the world or God's word?
2. Do you feel empty? You need to do something different …

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that Jesus changed my life so many years ago. I was lost, but now I am found. I have experienced a taste of heaven. I have seen you take me through the valley, and emerge stronger on the other side. Thank you for your great love and you great mercy.

QT 9/11/2026 Eph 4:14–16, Transformation

Ephesians 4:14–16 (ESV) —

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 

NOTE: In the previous sentence, we are encouraged to grow in the knowledge of Christ, be trained by the church leaders, and become more like Christ. In the verses today, we can see that maturity in the faith is what protects us from error or other deceitful schemes of the devil.

 

I think maturity in Christ is misunderstood. It is not gained by spending years attending a church or teaching a class or by our adherence to a set of rules. That is NOT how Christian maturity is obtained. A true man of God grows to know the person of Jesus Christ by daily intake of the word, by daily prayer, by regular application of God's truth to his life, by building others up in the body with the things God is revealing to him in daily times in the word, and by sharing his faith casually, gently, and often to those who ask for a reason for the hope that is in him. If no one is asking you that question, I have to ask you, are you really being transformed by the gospel or are you just playing church?

 

PONDER:

1. Are you transformed by Christ?
2. Are you playing church or invested in works-based religion?

 

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes. So many are deceived about true faith, thinking they know you but never having experiencing the transforming effect of faith in Jesus.

QT 9/10/2026 Eph 4:7–13, The church congregation's job is to do the ministry

Ephesians 4:7–13 (ESV) —

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

 

NOTE: We (believers in Christ) were all given spiritual gifts. Some of the leadership and speaking gifts were given to build up the body of Christ in order to equip the saints (that's us) for the work of ministry. It is our job to minister, to share our faith, and to make disciples. It is not the job of the paid church staff to do our job. The pastor's responsibility is NOT to share the gospel with our neighbor, it is ours. And we can do it. Sharing Christ is as simple as sharing your story. If you don't have a story of how Jesus Christ changed your life, then maybe you are not born again. But if you do have a story, you know it, and you know that you have eternal life because of Jesus alone.

 

PONDER:

1. Are you sharing your story with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors?
2. Have you truly been born again?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for opportunities and boldness to share the good news. I pray for sight to see situations where I can share something of the gospel. I pray to be a light and a witness to those around me.

QT 9/9/2026 Eph 4:1–6, Walking in a manner worthy of our calling

Ephesians 4:1–6 (ESV) —

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 

NOTE: What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of our calling? Paul gives us 5 descriptive words to describe this life walk.

 

One, our life needs to be characterized by humility. In our narcissistic culture, this is seen less and less. Our culture promotes self, and self-importance. I remembering seeing a congresswoman standing in the door way of first class on an airplane talking on the phone, even as the announcement was being made to sit down and put phones in airplane mode. In her mind, she was more important, and rules did not apply to her. It was a very ugly picture, as most prideful people are, they paint ugly pictures.

 

Two, our life should be characterized by gentleness. This is closely aligned with humility. Gentleness is considered a weakness by some. I like these two quotes. Saint Francis de Sales said, "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." Leo Rosten said, "I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong."

 

Three, our life should be patient. In a world where everything is now, now, now, and go, go, go, the patient person stands out. Patience (for a believer in Jesus Christ) can be developed by believing that God has everything in control. I don't have to worry. I can cast my anxieties upon him.

 

There are two more qualities, bearing one another in love and eager to maintain unity of the spirit. But for today, the above three qualities are enough to meditate on how I can improve.

 

PONDER:

1. What does my life look like? Do people see humility, gentleness, and patience? Why not?

 

PRAYER: Father, continue to change me to be more like my savior. I want people to see Jesus in my life, and realize Jesus changed my life.

 

QT 9/8/2026 Eph 3:20–21, Looking for HIS super-abundant answers

Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV) —

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

 

NOTE: Paul ends his very lofty prayer with even more lofty ending. God is able to FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY that all we ask or (even) think. The capitalized words are two Greek words combined, both indicating "greatly" and "beyond measure." It is super abundantly.

 

I think we fail to think of God in these terms. We just want our prayers answered in our terms, but God has better plans, much-much-better plans. We need to take this to heart. We need to pray, but in the expectation of God answering super abundantly, in ways (most of the time) that we are not even thinking about.

 

I think part of our problem is that we don't rejoice at all times and in all circumstances. Yesterday, a friend told me a story. Corrie Ten Boom and her sister were moved to a different prison building infested with lice and fleas. Her sister felt this was an opportunity to follow the scriptural command "to rejoice always." Later, her sister found out that the reason the guards never visited their building was the fleas, allowing the two girls to minister to the other prisoners.

 

If we rejoiced more often, we might be surprised to see answers to our prayers that we never imagined.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I look for God's super-abundant answers or do I evaluate answers to prayers based on my small pre-supposed best answers?
2. Do I rejoice in all circumstances? Do I look for good in every situation?

 

PRAYER: Father, a different attitude and perspective to life might completely change our view of everything in life. Help us to life from your perspective and not from ours.

QT 9/5/2026 Eph 3:14–19, What does faith really look like?

Ephesians 3:14–19 (ESV) —

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

NOTE: Paul has been discussing this amazing fact that God has torn down the wall of separation between God and us, and the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile, by the work of Jesus his son. To those who believe, the Holy Spirit indwells within us. We now have access to God, and we can know that amazing depth of love that God has for us.

 

In life, because we rebelled at the garden, things do not go the way we would like. Additionally, we have inherited a sin nature which leads us astray. But when we were still God's enemies, we were saved, by faith. But as believers, things still do not go the way we might like, but the promise of scripture, is that whatever happens to us, God will bring good out of the situation for those who know him. We must have faith that God is at work in our current situation. We must have faith in his immense love for us. We must have faith that he saved us for good and not for evil. We must have faith that his plans are better than our plans.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize the immensity of my salvation and my unworthiness?
2. Am I willing to trust God during the difficult times in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I like everyone else, struggle when things don't go the way I want it. My only advantage is that I don't throw out platitudes, like "God is good," and "God will provide," when I don't feel it. I have learned to throw off stoicism and fake masks. And in my quiet moments with you, I do repeat the truths about your love. I remind myself that you are in charge. And I pour out my soul to you. I claim the promise that you will bring good, true good out of the situation.

QT 9/3/2026 Eph 3:7–13, FAT is a good thing

Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV) —

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

 

NOTE: The main point of the passage is the predicted unity of Jews and Gentiles as believers, and even more importantly, their complete equality in Christ (Constable, 2003). What I prefer to focus on this morning, is how Paul viewed his ministry. Paul saw himself as a nobody, not deserving of any special treatment. Some have suggested he was also grammatically playing on words, as his name in Latin meant "little." From other passages, we know that his stature was not his defining quality (In Lystra, Barnabas was called Zeus, and Paul was called Hermes, mainly because he was the chief speaker) . He could also be like Hermes in his short height and slight chubbiness. The Corinthians said that his bodily presence was weak and even his speaking was of no account (in contrast to his letters). Whatever he looked like, Paul did not see himself as deserving of the incredible gift of God's grace, the preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. And yet, this nobody in his own eyes, was the key man God used to change the entire known world.

 

We don't have to be a "somebody" for God to use. But I do think there are a few requirements which Paul met.

 

1. A daily desire to dig into the word of God
2. A priority placed on the things of God and the will of God
3. A teachable spirit willing to learn from others
4. A faithfulness to be obedient to God's word
5. A humility to accept the things of God no matter how seemingly unimportant to ourselves

 

PONDER:

1. There was a term we used to use to describe a potential disciple, it was FAT. It meant, Faithful, Available, and Teachable. Are you, am I FAT?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for believers in these days, that we would turn from our lazy and narcissistic ways, and recommit ourselves to serving you. Help us to see where we have placed our own comfort over service to others.

QT 9/2/2026 Eph 3:1–6, The mystery of the church

Ephesians 3:1–6 (ESV) —

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

 

NOTE: There are 7 or 8 mysteries revealed in the New Testament, that were not revealed in the Old Testament, although they were hinted at. Paul calls them mysteries for that reason. The mystery here is that Gentiles are partakers with the Jews of the promises in Christ. We share the same body -- the universal church -- and both groups are one, and fellow heirs.

 

The new body is the church, which Paul discusses in other letters as well. Technically, there is no Jewish religion or law now. Jesus has fulfilled all the conditions of the law and has nailed the law to the cross. There is a new high priest, prophet, and king in direct violation of the old covenant (for one, Jesus of Judah as high priest), hence the need for the new covenant.

 

The prophets of old foretold these things, but Jesus was rejected by his own people and put to death by the Romans (Gentiles). For now, God has set aside Israel for a time (we call it the church age). Israel is still God's possession, and he promises to return in the end days to bring as many as possible into the real kingdom. In the meantime, we can pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

 

PONDER:

1. In Romans, Paul says God is not finished with his people, Israel. Are you praying that as many as possible will hear the gospel before the end of days?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for saving me from hell and giving me a new life, a born-again life. You have changed me from the inside out. I still fall, and yet you still pick me up. Have mercy upon me.

QT 9/1/2026 Eph 2:19–22, Continue in spiritual growth

Ephesians 2:19–22 (ESV) —

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

 

NOTE: So, one of the questions I have had is whether we will have the Holy Spirit in the Kingdom. In Corinthians, it says our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, which is why we should keep it free from sin and other things that my damage the temple. In the passage today, it speaks to the Universal Church as growing into a holy temple to the Lord, but it also seems to imply the same thing for the individual is verse 22. Yes, we will have new bodies, but there is no reason to assume we still won't need the Holy Spirit. I don't believe we will be perfect in knowledge. We can still grow and learn even in the Millennial kingdom. We will need the Spirit's help as we fulfill the responsibilities given to us by Jesus in the new kingdom. And I kind of wonder, if what we are learning and doing now might also carry over into the new kingdom, minus the sin and its temptations from the flesh.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I think of this life as preparation for the kingdom?
2. Or do I live this life for myself?

 

PRAYER: Father, continue to help us grow and change. I don't know what the future holds, but I certainly don't want to be lazy in my service to you.

QT 8/31/2026 Ephesians 2:14–18, Hate in today's society

Ephesians 2:14–18 (ESV) —

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

 

NOTE: There should be no hostility between Jew and Gentile, especially in the church. Antisemitism will probably reign in the world until the end days, but in the church, it should not. God has created one new man, the church in place of two: believing Jews and believing Gentiles. Both groups have received the message of peace. We, Gentiles, have access to the Father through the same Spirit that gives believing Jews access to the Father. We are one in Jesus.

 

But what about hostility to unbelieving Jews? The New Testament authors clearly tell believers (Jew and Gentile) to love our brothers and our neighbors as ourselves. We can disagree with actions taken by others, but we must love them. We can speak against sin, but we must love the sinner. The world does the opposite, it hates those who do not agree with its' philosophy. It says it hates those who hate, but the only haters are those opposed to us. They call it hate when we call sin what it is, sin. And we do need to be careful not to allow our hatred for the sin to cloud our respect for the individual. All people are made in the image of God (they are NOT children of God but they are made in his image). They deserve love and respect, and truth.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I hate the sin, but still love and respect the sinner?

 

PRAYER: Father, there is so much rage today. Most of the rage is on the political left. They killed a man, Charlie Kirk, for hate, but whenever he questioned an individual to show him how he hated, they never had an answer. The left hates those who will not support their sin. Help me to know how to love in word and deed. I know that loving a person includes telling the truth. Not telling the truth only deludes the person and is not loving. Help me to tell truth, and to show other signs of visible love to the person who considers me an enemy.