Sunday (9/19)

We are continuing our series about The Whole Armor of God as described by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6. Throughout the series you are invited to read and study verses from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus as well as other scripture found in the Bible. You’re also invited to memorize a verse or two each week. Memorizing scripture is a way to equip your mind with messages from the Lord that will speak to you during the challenges of life, as well as help to defend you against the attacks of the Enemy (Matthew 4:1-11).

 

 

Monday (9/20)

Invite the Lord to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Lord, help me to hear what you are saying to me today

so that I respond according to your will.

 

Read Acts 19:1-22, part of the written account of when the apostle Paul visited the city of Ephesus as part of his missionary journeys. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray in response to the Lord.

 

*Our memory verse this week is Jesus’ words about peace from John 14:27.

 

 

Tuesday (9/21)

Invite Jesus to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on

Revelation 2:7:

Jesus, help me to hear what you are saying to me today

so that I respond according to your will.

 

Read Acts 19:23-20:1, the conclusion of the account of Paul’s time in the city of Ephesus within the stories in Acts.

Did you notice how the people responded to Paul’s message of the Gospel of Peace? Even though Paul was sharing a message of peace, the people of the city were not peaceful. We cannot control how people respond to the gospel. Disciples in Ephesus with Paul did not let him confront the angry crowd. Even as messengers of Good News, there are times when the Holy Spirit guides us to walk away. Acts 20:1 reveals that Paul left the city of Ephesus to continue his journey and mission to go share the gospel with others. If you find yourself in a situation with someone who is hostile towards Jesus and the gospel message, the Holy Spirit may guide you to walk away so that you can seek opportunities with those who are receptive to the good news.

 

Pray for people you know who are not Christians, including those who are unwilling to listen to the truth about Jesus and unwilling to receive God’s Good News. Pray for wisdom and discernment to know where to go, who to talk to about Jesus, and when to walk away from those who are hostile towards the gospel. Just as the Holy Spirit guided Paul throughout his missionary journeys, pray that the Spirit of God will guide your life and your journeys.

 

*Our memory verse this week is Jesus’ words about peace from John 14:27.

 

 

Wednesday (9/22)

Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Spirit of the living God, help me to hear what you are saying to me today

so that I can respond and live respond according to your will.

 

Read Ephesians 3:1-13, part of Paul’s letter he wrote to Christians in the city of Ephesus while he was imprisoned in Rome. What do these verses reveal about the Gospel of Peace, the Good News? Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, praying about all you will do or have already done, as well as for the people you’ll encounter or the ones you encountered.

 

*Our memory verse this week is Jesus’ words about peace from John 14:27.

 

 

Thursday (9/23)

Invite God to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Father in heaven, help me to hear what you are saying to me today through scripture and the whisper of your voice within me, so that I live according to your will.

 

Read Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Ephesus from Ephesians 3:14-21. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray for our local congregation, the United Methodist denomination, and the church of Jesus Christ throughout the world, which includes many denominations, by using Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 3 as your inspiration.

 

*Our memory verse this week is Jesus’ words about peace from John 14:27.

 

 

Friday (9/24)

Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Spirit of the living God, help me to hear what you are saying to me today

so that I can respond and live according to your will.

 

Read Ephesians 6:19-20. What stands out to you from what you read? If you are a Christians, you are a representative/ambassador of the kingdom of God. As ambassadors of Christ and his kingdom, we have been sent into the world to proclaim the gospel and represent Jesus to those we encounter in our home, neighborhood, community, workplaces, and beyond.

 

Pray for the Spirit of God to guide you as an ambassador of Christ and his kingdom. Pray that Christians throughout the world will represent our Savior and King in a way that enables the world to hear and experience the love of God through us. Pray that the Spirit will give us the words we need when the opportunities come for sharing our faith and the gospel with others. Pray that all Christians will have a holy boldness in regards to proclaiming the Good News.

 

*Our memory verse this week is Jesus’ words about peace from John 14:27.

 

 

Saturday (9/25)

Invite the Lord to speak to you today by praying the prayer below:

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

 

Read the words of the prophet Isaiah about messengers of good news from Isaiah 52:7-10. What do these verses reveal about Jesus? Notice the imagery the prophet uses and how the apostle Paul borrows this for his description of the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-17.

 

Pray in response to the Lord, our Ruler, Comforter, and Savior.

 

*Our memory verse this week is Jesus’ words about peace from John 14:27.

 

You’re strongly encouraged to observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. To learn more about the sabbath, read Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 16:31, Leviticus 23:3, and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. The questions below can be used to help with some time of reflection:

 

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

 

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.