Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 29
Saturday


MAGIC-MARKER
WISDOM

READ:
Ephesians 5:8-21
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A patient checked in to a Florida hospital for a life-saving amputation. He awoke to find that the wrong foot had been removed. In the sme hospital, another patient had surgery on the wrong knee.

Defenders of the healthcare system point out that such tragic cases of malpractice are like airline crashes__they are newsworthy because they are so rare. In that Florida hospital, officials responded with a plan to avoid what could go wrong: Staffers now write "NO" with a black Magic Marker on the healthy limb.

The Bible also urges that we do more than just recognize our past wrongs; we must take decisive steps to avoid evil. Paul warned the believers in Ephesus to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph. 5:11. Christ has delivered us from condemnation, but we still risk temporary harm and loss because of our sinful tendencies. Our flesh still inclines us toward error and danger (Gal. 5:16-17.

But much has changed. Our relationship with God has changed. Our once hopeless future is now bright with promises. We have the opportunity to submit to His Spirit and to walk with One who does good rather than thoughtless harm. __ Mart De Haan
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THINKING IT OVER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~What conflict is described in Romans 7:15-25?~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~How may we win that battle? (Romans 8:12-13)~~~~~~~~
~~~~~What happens when we are led by the Spirit? (vv.14-17)~~~~~~
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Wise people don't just admit wrongs,
they strive to avoid a repeat performance.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 5:8-21***********

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.

14 Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
arise from the dead, and
Christ will give you light."

15 See then that you walk
circumspectly, not as fools
but as wise, 16 because the days
are evil. 17 Therefore do not
be unwise, but understand
what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not be drunk
with wine, in which is
dissipation; but be filled
with the Spirit, 19 speaking
to one anothr in psalms
and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the
Lord, 20 giving thanks
always for all things to God
the Father in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another
in the fear of God.

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

In most religions, light is a symbol of God and godliness. Likewise,
in the Bible, God is light (1 John 1:5) and the Father of lights (James
1:17). It follows that the Word of God is a lamp that lights up our
path (Ps. 119-105). We are chldren of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thes. 5:5)
and "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). __ SKT