OUR DAILY BREAD : FLY THE FLAG

[cimi]

October 7
Tuesday


FLY THE FLAG

READ:
Ephesians 5:1-13
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Therefore be imitators
of God as dear
children.
__Ephesians 5:1
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Queen Elizabeth 2 has reigned over the British Empire for more than 60 years. Her monarchy has been characterized by grace and class. She has diligently given her life to serve her people well, and as a result she is deeply loved and highly revered. so, you can understand the importance of the flag flying above Buckingham Palace. When the flag is flying, it means that she is in residence in the heart of London. The flag is a public statement that the queen is present with her people.

As I was thinking about that, it occurred to me that our King Jesus is in residence in our hearts as our "never leave you nor forsake you" Monarch (Heb. 13:5). As wonderful as that is to us personally, I wonder if those around us would recognize that He is in residence based on the way we live If he is within us, that will show on the outside. As Paul says, we are to be "imitators of God" and to "walk in love, as Christ also has loved us" (Eph. 5:1-2). As we do so, we will display joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).

So let's fly the flag of his presence__the flag of His grace, righteousness, and love__so that others may see Him through us. __Joe Stowell

```````````````````Lord, remind me that Your presence in my heart``````````````````````
``````````````````is intended to be a public reality. May I so value``````````````````````
`````````````````````all the blessings of your presence that I am````````````````````````
```````````````````willing to share them generously with others.```````````````````````
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Fly the flag of Christ's presence
to show that the King is in residence in your life.

*****************************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 5:1-13******************************

1 Therefore be imitators of
God as dear children. 2 And
walk in love, as Christ also
has loved us and given
Himself for us, an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and
all uncleanness or
covetousness, let it not even
be named among you, as is
fitting for saints; 4 neither
filthiness, nor foolish
talking, nor coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but
rather giving of thanks.

5 For this you know, that
no fornicator, unclean
person, nor covetous man,
who is an idolater, has any
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 be partakers with them.

8 For you were once
darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord,. Walk as
children of light 9 (for the
fruit of the Spirit is in all
goodness, righteousness, and
truth), 10 finding out what is
acceptable to the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather expose
them. 12 For it is shameful
even to speak of those things
which are done by them in
secret. 13 But all things that
are exposed are made
manifest by the light, for
whatever makes manifest
is light.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The church at Ephesus faced strong challenges to their faith, unity,
and lifestyle. In his letter to them, Paul clearly stated what their
response should be in verse 2 of today's text. They were to imitate the
heart of self-sacrificial love that Christ Jesus displayed on the cross.