Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

May 3
Friday


MOMMA'S
RULES

READ:
Ephesians 4:17-32
________________________________________________________________________
Put off, concerning
your former conduct
the old man which
grows corrupt.
__Ephesians 4:22
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I met a delightful woman named "Momma Charlie," who has raised a dozen or so foster kids. These youngsters were assigned to her by the courts, and she gave them a home with stability, guidance, and love. She told me that every time a new child arrived, the first order of business was to explain "Momma's Rules." These included behavioral standards, plus chores that would provide much-needed help in the busy household while teaching accountability to kids with little previous training.

Some of the children may have balked at "Momma's Rules," thinking they were robbing them of fun or pleasure__yet nothing would be further from the truth. Those standards allowed for an orderly household where both Momma and the children could find life enjoyable and peaceful.

Similarly, some look at the standards God set forth in the Bible as obstacles that prevent us from enjoying life. However, the boundaries God places actually protect us from our worst inclinations and foster healthy responses to Him.

In Ephesians 4, for example, Paul provides some guidance for how we are to live. As we live by these and other loving instructions from God, we find protection and the opportunity for true, lasting joy. __Bill Crowder

````````````````````Father, thank You for the boundaries of life that``````````````````
```````````````````protect us from sin and from ourselves. Give us the`````````````````
``````````````````wisdom and grace to respond gratefully to Your Word`````````````````
````````````````````````````in areas of danger and temptation.``````````````````````
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God's Word is the compass
that keeps us on course.

******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 4:17-32*************************

17 This I say, therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that you
should no longer walk as the
rest of the Gentiles walk....

20 But you have not so
learned Christ, 21 if indeed
you have heard Him and
have been taught by Him, as
the truth is in Jesus: 22 that
you put off, concerning your
former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt
according to the deceitful
lusts, 23 and be renewed in
the spirit of your mind,

24 and that you put on the
new man which was created
according to God, in true
righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, putting away
lying, "Let each one of you
speak truth with his
neighbor," for we are
members of one another.

26 "Be angry, and do not sin":
do not let the sun go down
on your wrath, 27 nor give
place to the devil. 28 Let him
who stole steal no longer, but
rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good,
that he may have something
to give him who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your mouth,
but what is good for
necessary edification, that it
may impart grace to the
hearers. 30 and do not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. 31 Let
all bitternes,wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking be
put away from you, with all
malice. 32 And be kind to one
another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even
as God in Christ forgave you.

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

The key word in this passage is put. In verse 22, we are to "put off"
what characterized us before coming to Christ. In verse 24, we are
to "put on" (exhibit) the characteristics of new life. In verse 25, we
are to "put away" things that would dishonor Christ.