Life With Lucas January-March 2025 by Life With Lucas

Down-to-earth, deeply practical and always brings me joy STEVE LEGG

WITH LUCAS APPLYING GOD’S WORD TODAY

JANUARY – MARCH 2025

First Things First

We dedicate this edition of Life with Lucas to the memory of our dear friend and colleague Steve Legg, who passed away in September 2024 after a lengthy journey with a cancer diagnosis. Steve, his wife Bekah and their lovely family responded to the huge challenges with trust, faith and humour. Steve continued his wider ministry almost until the end, passionately and authentically sharing the good news about Jesus and the sure and certain hope that galvanised his heart. As project manager for Life with Lucas, Steve encouraged us at the beginning to embark on this publishing ministry. We miss him so much, but are grateful for the great reunion to come. Please pray for Bekah and their family in their journey of grief that is mingled with the hope of Christ. Well done, Steve. Well done.

A WORD FROM JEFF

WELCOME TO LIFE WITH LUCAS!

VIDEO INTRODUCTION lifewithlucas.co.uk /intros

Visiting the ancient ruins of the city of Ephesus is a breathtaking experience. It was a blisteringly hot day, with little shade for relief as we picked our way through the city. For me, this place was more exciting than even the breathtaking sights of Rome. To stand in the same stadium where the crowds screamed for Paul’s blood, and to look up at the restored library, with its secret passage to the brothel (men would tell their wives they were dropping off parchments, when they actually had other things in mind) made me realise what an epic battle was fought in Ephesus by the early Christians, as they took their stand for the radical message of Jesus. Here Paul, sensing an ‘open door’ in the city for the gospel, spent nearly three years as a pastor/teacher. Other well-known disciples preached there, including Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos and, according to tradition, John the Apostle. Over the next three months we will focus on this city, the ruins of which are in modern Turkey. We’ll consider the story of the church there that’s recorded in Acts, and then study the letter Paul wrote, probably while in prison in Rome, to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus. We’ll conclude by briefly reflecting on the words delivered by the Apostle John, in the letter to the seven churches of Revelation. As we wander back through the centuries, let’s consider the example and challenges of this community who sought to walk with Christ in a cosmopolitan and confusing metropolis. May we be encouraged to renewed faithfulness. It’s our turn to be faithful where we live. And thank you so much, as always, for joining me!

© Novio Published 2024 by Novio – Life With Lucas, PO Box 239, Unit 3 Burnt Oak Farm, Heathfield, TN21 1EH, UK All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of Novio. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version® (US version), The “NIRV”, “New International Reader’s Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. Design by Piero Regnante – Rogfog Creative | rogfog.co.uk Printed by Halcyon

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INTRODUCTION

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LIFE WITH LUCAS! CHOOSE A TIME Find the best time that works for you, ideally the same time, same place every day, when you can concentrate and have the least number of distractions. PAUSE AND TALK TO GOD Take a moment to focus on God and ask Him to speak to you as you read and reflect on His word. READ GOD’S WORD Read the daily passage from your Bible. Don’t be tempted just to skip this part. It’s important: who knows how the Holy Spirit might speak to you as you read the actual text? MAKE NOTES

ONLINE VIDEO INTRODUCTIONS, AND GOING DEEPER When you see the video icon, this points you to a brief Video Introduction to the subject. Make the most of the occasional Going Deeper resources when you see this icon. They will help you delve further into the passage. GIVE YOUR DAY TO GOD Thank God for what you’ve learned and ask for help if the day’s notes brought to light anything especially applicable to your life at the moment.

Writing slows you down and helps you focus. Write in your Bible, a notebook, or in the white space in the devotions. Don’t hesitate to underline, write in the margins, or circle words. 5

WED 01 JAN

A STRANDED CITY

READ

John 15:1-5 Revelation 2:1-4 FOCUS ‘I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains joined to me, and I to him, he will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me.’ John 15:5

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas. co.uk/goingdeeper

It’s a strange concept: a harbour city now some six miles from the Aegean Sea. But that’s what you meet when you visit Ephesus. The road, 11 metres wide and once flanked by columns, led up from the harbour directly to the magnificent stadium – obviously planned by the ancients as an impressive greeting for any arriving seafarers. But now, there’s no sea. Why? The river connecting Ephesus with the ocean got silted up, and so the once bustling port was ultimately separated from its source of life. Once the third largest city in the Roman empire, with a population of around 250,000, prosperous Ephesus had boasted a stadium that seated 24,000 spectators, but the river silting threatened its existence. As we begin our investigation into the various biblical references to Ephesus, let’s remember that it gradually diminished over the centuries because it became separated from that which made it useful. The city’s history serves as a metaphor – what happened to it physically also threatened the church there spiritually. Something similar can happen in our lives. Because our ability to live significantly depends totally on our ongoing connection with Jesus, so we can begin well, but end up living ‘silted’ lives, and the ultimate effect of that will be desolation. That shouldn’t make us paranoid but should nudge us to be diligent. We needed Him yesterday, we will need Him throughout this new year, and if our lives are to be fruitful, then we need His help today. Prayer: Lord, today, keep me close, as I walk with You by faith. Be my vision, my guide, my source. Amen.

THUR 02 JAN

A POWERFUL CITY

READ

Romans 1:1-16 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

FOCUS

‘I am not ashamed of the good news. It is God’s power. And it will save everyone who believes. It is meant first for the Jews. It is meant also for those who aren’t Jews.’ Romans 1:16

Come for an imaginative walk with me around the city of Ephesus as it was in Paul’s time. Coming ashore, we’re greeted by a breathtaking sight. The broad, column-lined street that sweeps up towards the magnificent stadium is flanked by a gymnasium and other sports facilities. As we take the road north, we come to the temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – the largest building in Greek architecture. Supported by 127 pillars, 37 of which were sculpted and overlaid with gold, this was the first building to be made entirely of marble. The city is bustling with commerce and creativity and celebrated as the marketplace of Asia.1 Silversmiths operate prosperous businesses. Scholars scurry past us, headed for the library of Celsus. Then we visit the temple dedicated to the worship of Domitian, the Roman Emperor. His statue was four times life-size; he was depicted as being like Zeus, the ruler of all the so-called gods. All of this could surely intimidate any visitor; the city emanated a sense of raw power, affluence and education. As followers of Jesus, we can feel overwhelmed when we look at the state of the world, and acknowledge we feel powerless as tyrants rule and the media often misinforms. Can anything change? As we’ll see, the Christian message created a social revolution in this proud city. Let’s be fully confident in the gospel – it has the power to change cities, nations, and the human heart. Prayer: The mighty are brought low before Your power and wisdom, Lord. I will be confident in You today. Amen.

According to the Greek geographer and historian Strabo, who lived at the time of Christ.

FRI 03 JAN

A DARK CITY

READ 1 Peter 5:1-9 Ephesians 6:12-13 FOCUS ‘Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.’ 1 Peter 5:8

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas. co.uk/goingdeeper

For many, the existence of demons seems fanciful, the stuff of horror movies. But when we look closely at the beautiful city of Ephesus, we see a dark, demonic side. Many religions were practised there, including, as we’ve seen, emperor worship, but by far the dominant cult in Paul’s day was the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (the Romans called her Diana). Her followers viewed her as the wife of the city and sought her protection and provision. And Ephesus was seen as a centre for the practice of magic. One writer says, ‘Of all ancient Graeco-Roman cities, Ephesus was by far the most hospitable to magicians, sorcerers and charlatans of all sorts.’ As we’ll see, revival in the city would lead to the mass burning of occult books worth 50,000 pieces of silver. Many people in Ephesus were fascinated by, and devoted to, magic practices. Paul devotes some of his teaching to the issue of spiritual warfare, and told the Corinthian believers that he ‘fought wild beasts in Ephesus’ (1 Cor. 15:32), which some take as a metaphor for the spiritual battle that erupted there. Some Christians become extremists on the subject of spiritual warfare, blaming every challenge in life on Satan. But these days, the more likely temptation is to go to the opposite extreme, where we forget that those who follow Jesus are engaged in a war. We have an enemy who hates God, despises the gospel, and longs for our downfall. We live on a battlefield. Prayer: Help me, dear Father, to live with my eyes wide open to the reality of the warfare that is real. Grant me wisdom and discernment today. Amen.

WEEKEND 04 - 05 JAN

LOVING MONEY

READ Acts 19:23-25 Matthew 6:19-24

We’ve already seen that Ephesus was a prosperous city with many merchants. It benefited from the pax romana, a 200-yearlong season of peace and financial stability in the Roman Empire. The temple of Artemis gave the city a lucrative tourist business, with many visiting pilgrims, eager to buy small statues of the goddess. The temple also acted as a bank, lending money from the offerings given at the shrine. It was also a vault to store valuables because nobody would dare violate what they believed was a sacred space. That said, the temple proved to be unreliable, when temple officials were charged with misappropriation of funds and corruption. As we will see later, it was greed masquerading as piety that led to a near riot in the stadium when Paul and his fellow missionaries made a gospel impact on the city. Money was identified by Jesus as the leading contender for our worship and love. While the scripture (1 Tim. 6:10) is often misquoted (money is not the root of all evil, rather the love of money is) many in Ephesus lost the priceless opportunity to respond to Jesus because of greed. We all need money, but when we love it, we fail to see that it over-promises. When we don’t have enough, we live in fear we will not make ends meet. Even if we find ourselves in a place of comfort and surplus, we can live paralysed by terror that we will lose what we have. Let’s love God and others, and ask to be free from the love of money. To ponder: What symptoms would indicate that we have come to love money?

MON 06 JAN

A CITY LOOKING FOR A SAVIOUR

READ Isaiah 44:6-23 Revelation 9:20

FOCUS People make statues of gods. But those gods can’t do them any good. Isaiah 44:10

It’s really rather sad. ‘Married’ to Artemis as Ephesus was, the city looked to the idol as a rescuer. Excavated inscriptions have been found that portray Artemis as a saviour who could protect and answer prayer. But dead idols are useless and can do nothing, as the prophet Isaiah proclaimed. Throughout their history, the citizens of Ephesus had hoped Artemis would guard them when they came under attack. Nearly 600 years before Paul came on the scene, a king called Croesus attacked Ephesus. The frantic citizens tied a rope from the Artemis temple that ran into the heart of the city, a distance of some three quarters of a mile. They thought this would guarantee them protection, but Croesus successfully invaded, destroyed the city (but spared the temple) and transplanted the population. Another 250 years passed, and the temple was destroyed by an arsonist. Undeterred, a new generation built the structure that stood in Paul’s time – a building as large as an American football field. And then an inscription connected to a statue of Emperor Hadrian in Ephesus refers to him as a ‘founder and saviour’. The Ephesians felt vulnerable and wanted someone or something to depend upon to help them in times of trouble. We will discover that in a city where at least fifty different ‘gods’ were worshipped, Paul confidently declared that Jesus alone is the Lord of heaven and earth. Everyone needs a Saviour and, thank God, Jesus has come to our rescue. Prayer: You are the risen and ascended Christ, the living God, alive forevermore, my Lord Jesus. Amen.

TUES 07 JAN

A CITY SEEDED FOR THE GOSPEL?

READ Acts 2:1-41 Matthew 13:24-48

FOCUS

‘We are Parthians, Medes and Elamites. We live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia. We are from Pontus, Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia.’ Acts 2:9-10

Most commentators believe those who planted the first Christian community in Ephesus included a married couple who were a vital part of Paul’s team – Priscilla and Aquila. But as I’ve reflected on the story, I’ve noticed a detail about an event that took place years earlier – on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell upon the earliest followers of Christ, filling them with power and enabling them to speak in other tongues. Some of those who were present that day came from the province of Asia, which was created around 133 BC. This province’s wider area included the city of Ephesus. And so – and this is entirely conjecture – it is just possible that some of the 3,000 who were converted on that amazing day in Jerusalem then made their way back to Ephesus and began to quietly follow Jesus. After all, the gospel is like a planted seed, and through the watering and work of the Holy Spirit, it surely produced fruit in the lives of those Ephesian pilgrims. What is not a matter of speculation is the truth that we can all sow Kingdom seeds today. We perhaps will never know the impact of a conversation, a story shared, a prayer or an act of kindness offered in Jesus’ Name. We are not called to convert people – God does that. The mission we are on is not ours, it is God’s. As followers of Jesus, what we do is offer ourselves in availability, live and speak the good news, and trust the Lord to bless the planted seed. Prayer: Father, enable me to live in the truth that I can plant Kingdom seeds in the lives of others today, trusting You for fruit that will remain. Amen.

WED 08 JAN

A STRATEGIC CITY READ Acts 1:1-8 1 Chronicles 14:13-17 FOCUS ‘You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria. And you will be my witnesses from one end of the earth to the other.’ Acts 1:8

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas. co.uk/goingdeeper

It’s been said that the local church is the hope of the world. Church at its best provides the joy of belonging, the benefits of worship and teaching, and the chance to impact the life of a community. But the church can be frustrating too, especially when we believers get stuck in mindless traditionalism, or resist change and have little effect on the unchurched. God is a passionate missionary. He loves His world, and wants us to partner with Him in reaching others for Christ. That’s why Paul would have eyed Ephesus as a strategic location for mission. Sitting on the main trade routes, it was a busy thoroughfare for traders and tourists, and so any travellers who responded to the gospel message would carry it with them – vital in an era with no mass media. Roads from the city spread out in every direction along the coast and through the interior of the province. Ephesus was also a melting pot of many cultures; historians tell us that Lydians, Ionians, Greeks, and Anatolians lived there, together with a large Jewish population. God is a strategist, as Jesus’ detailed instructions to His disciples (and God’s military commands to David) demonstrate. He wants His Church to be strategically effective. That means we need to be willing to embrace change and stop doing things which don’t help the mission. Perhaps change is afoot in our local church, and we don’t like it. Let’s be willing to adapt in order to be more strategic. Prayer: Lord Jesus, may the church that I call home be strategic, flexible and open to change. Amen.

THUR 09 JAN

TIMING

READ Acts 16:1-6 Proverbs 3:1-5

FOCUS

The Holy Spirit had kept them from preaching the word in Asia Minor. Acts 16:6

Some of my worst ideas have initially been heavily disguised as good ideas, with unfortunate consequences. When I dash ahead in significant decisions, failing to stop, think, consult, and pray, and then pray again, things don’t turn out well. When Kay and I were relocating back to the UK in 1990, the Lord clearly spoke to us, promising to open doors for our ministry but exhorting us to ask Him every time about any major steps forward. We did that and were amazed and grateful for His direction and provision. Paul wanted to go to Ephesus for all the strategic reasons that we considered yesterday. But God is a strategist in both locations and timing. Paul was told not to go to Ephesus and instead went to Philippi, Thessaloniki, Berea and Athens, and then spent eighteen months of effective and fruitful ministry in Corinth. There’s nothing wrong with planning. In his epistle, James calls us to submit to the will of God. ‘You should say, “If it pleases the Lord, we will live and do this or that”’ (James 4:15). This reference to doing ‘this or that’ shows us that we are not to live with just a blank sheet of paper, but rather to bring our plans to the Lord and then submit to His wisdom. As we’ll see, the time would come for Paul to set his sights on Ephesus. Perhaps that created some difficulty for him: having been previously told not to go there, there would be a right time for him to go. But he was sensitive and obedient to God’s direction. Prayer: Father, I want Your will Your way, Your purposes and Your timing in my life, which now belongs to You. Amen. 13

FRI 10 JAN

ENDURING

READ 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Acts 9:1-16

FOCUS ‘I have been in danger from rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from people from my own country.’ 2 Corinthians 11:26a

Before we begin focusing on Paul’s final arrival in Ephesus, let’s consider what happened in his life between being told by God not to go there, and then when he decided the time had come for him to go. It was around two years, the majority of which was spent in Corinth. In Philippi, Paul had been stripped, flogged and thrown into prison. In Thessalonica, a mob started a riot because of his teaching, and that mob pursued him when he went to Berea, causing further trouble there. Then he went to Athens, where he got a mixed reception, and from there to Corinth, where he experienced yet more abuse. All of this followed his earlier season of ministry where he had been kicked out of town (Pisidian Antioch), been the target of an assassination plot (Iconium) and then stoned and left for dead (Lystra). If that was not enough, he had fallen out with his closest confidante and mentor, Barnabas. Yet still he carried on in his ministry. If I may be personal for a moment, let me say the last four years or so have been a struggle. I won’t bore you with details, but suffice to say I have realised I was convinced that if I tried to follow Jesus, generally everything would work out well. But that’s not true. Paul’s experience shows us blessing and bruising often go together. Leaders get hurt. Life disappoints. Friends get sick and die. If we live long enough, there will be storms. Nevertheless, may we be found faithful, as Paul was. Prayer: Father, I know that life means that storms will come. Grant me the gift of faith to weather those seasons, and grow in trust in You. Amen.

WEEKEND 11 - 12 JAN

SECOND CHOICES

READ Acts 18:1-2 Daniel 1:1-21

As Paul heads for Ephesus, he took a married couple with him – Priscilla and Aquila. They had a very important leadership role there, and so some insight into their background is helpful. We first meet them in Corinth, where they met Paul. Sharing his profession as leather workers, they invited him into their home, where he stayed for around 18 months. But Luke also gives us a detail that shows they had experienced a major upheaval. The Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome, and so Priscilla and Aquila were probably refugees from that city. History suggests there had been disorder and dissension in the synagogues of Rome because some Jews there were turning to Christ. It’s possible Priscilla and Aquila had been founder members of the church in Rome, but now they found themselves over 600 miles from what had been their home. Yet they were faithful despite the huge challenges they’d experienced, starting a business and teaming up with Paul and becoming two of his closest fellow workers. Later, Paul would single them out, asking Timothy to specifically greet them on his behalf (2 Tim. 4:19). There’s more to glean about this faithful couple, but today let’s affirm we all experience ‘second choices’ – circumstances we neither expect nor welcome. Like the Old Testament hero Daniel, carried off into Babylonian exile, we might be in serious ‘second choice’ situations right now. Let’s pray that we might be faithful, now, wherever we find ourselves. To ponder: Are you living in ‘second choices’ circumstances right now? What does it mean to be faithful in them?

MON 13 JAN

TRUE FRIENDS

READ Romans 16:3-4 Matthew 26:36-46

FOCUS Greet Priscilla and Aquila. They work together with me in serving Christ Jesus. Romans 16:3

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas. co.uk/goingdeeper

I write today with a heavy heart; just an hour ago, two of our closest friends texted to let us know their daughter had passed away in the night, after a long illness. Over the last few months, Kay and I have prayed regularly for this family, but we have also prayed for ourselves, that we might have the wisdom and grace to be the best friends that we could be as they walked through this valley of the shadow of death. As Paul describes this couple who were faithful to Jesus in trial, he celebrates his experience that they were faithful to him. We don’t have any details, but they literally put their lives on the line for him (Rom. 16:3-4). But although it’s conjecture, commentators suggest that Paul might have been referring to the time when riots broke out in Ephesus and his life was under threat. We’ll come to that episode a little later, but for now, let’s be grateful for friends who have stood by us, perhaps through decades, and as we give thanks, let’s also pray that we will offer the same depth and quality of friendship to others. Paul knew who his friends were, and frequently named them. And Jesus had his ‘inner three’ of Peter, James and John. They alone experienced the heights of the transfiguration. If we’re social networkers, we should know that those listed as our online ‘friends’ are not necessarily real friends! Who are our friends, and how might we offer greater friendship to them? Who might be in our ‘inner circle?’ How might we deepen the key friendships that we have? Prayer: Father, I pray today for my friends. Thank you for their care and support. Bless them, and may I be a blessing. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

TUES 14 JAN

GRATEFUL FOR YOU

READ Romans 16:3-4 Acts 18:18

FOCUS

‘I am thankful for them. So are all the non-Jewish churches.’ Romans 16:4

Perhaps some readers will know that 2024 was a momentous year for Kay and me. After being in local church leadership as a pastor for some 48 years, I stepped aside from my role at Timberline Church, Colorado. I haven’t retired – I will continue to write, including these Bible notes, as well as broadcast, coach and preach where invited. But leaving the amazing Timberline staff team was emotionally gruelling. As I remember their faces, I feel so grateful for their love and support and their commitment to Jesus and His Kingdom. As we reach the point where Paul finally managed his first visit to Ephesus, let’s note one further detail about Priscilla and Aquila, his travelling companions. Paul would later write that the house churches formed among the Gentiles shared his gratitude and affection for them. So why the broad sense of celebration of this couple? Some say it was because they had stood by and perhaps helped rescue Paul when he was in danger – thus enabling him to continue his mission as an apostle to the Gentiles. Others suggest that, in their travels between Rome, Corinth and Ephesus (and then later, back to Rome again), they had been a blessing to the churches where they’d invested their time and leadership gifts. They’d also used their home for church gatherings (1 Cor. 16:19). Whatever the reason, the challenge to us all is this: are others who are part of the churches that we call home grateful for our presence and participation? Prayer: I want to live in such a generous spirit of kindness that others will find themselves thankful for me, Lord. For Your glory. Amen. 17

TUES 15 JAN

A NEW HAIRCUT

READ Acts 18:18 1 Thessalonians 5:1-23

FOCUS Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea. He did this because he had made a promise to God. Acts 18:18

Okay, I admit it. I was tempted to ignore Luke’s mention of Paul’s hairstyle and that he had his hair cut prior to leaving Corinth for Ephesus. It seems like too much information! Paul did this as part of a vow – and we are not told what the vow was about. Some scholars think it was a Nazarite vow. Others think it was simply Paul’s way of making a fresh pledge of commitment, marking a moment of thanksgiving for blessings in the past and requesting God’s help and blessing in the future as he continued his ministry and travels. Outward actions like the cutting of hair were taken as reminders of promises made to God. Perhaps one modern equivalent would be the wearing of a wedding ring, which was never intended to be just an item of jewellery, but a physical object to remind us of promises made. Whatever the background, what we do know is this: that Paul was a very intentional person, deliberately marking a junction moment in his life. Perhaps one of our primary temptations is to allow our Christian lives to drift into a cruise control mentality. Discipline fades, lessons learned are forgotten, previous commitments erode, prayer becomes an idea that we vaguely believe in but seldom practice. But Scripture consistently calls us to be vigilant and alert, determining to walk with Jesus each and every day. As we’ll see later, ‘walking’ is one of the themes of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Let’s be wide awake today. Prayer: Today, I intentionally choose to walk with You and be open to Your nudges, Lord. Holy Spirit, lead me. Amen.

THUR 16 JAN

LET’S TALK... AND LISTEN

READ Acts 18:18-19 John 4:1-29

FOCUS

He himself went into the synagogue and talked with the Jews. Acts 18:19

As a young convert, armed (and probably quite dangerous) with my King James Bible, I attempted to share my faith with just about anyone who would listen and a few who didn’t want to. Looking back, the word ‘share’ might not be the best description, as evangelism for me meant that I breathlessly delivered a monologue, desperate to offload as much gospel information as possible. These days we don’t talk so much about sharing our faith – sometimes I wonder what has happened to evangelism. Surely, we need to recover some passion to see others come to know Jesus. But let’s do so thoughtfully. As Paul briefly visits Ephesus (more on the brevity of his first trip there tomorrow) he continues a strategy that had been effective in other cities, as he begins to build connections in the local synagogue. The Greek word used to describe Paul’s approach is dielexato – from which we get the word dialogue. This is Luke’s favourite word for Paul’s synagogue discourses (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19:8,9). Paul engaged in discussion and not monologue. Mission began with connection and conversation. Paul talked with the Jews and not at them. Jesus modelled this approach as He chatted with the woman at the well. What began with a simple request for water developed into a time of deep sharing, but as Jesus gently asked questions, there was never a moment that felt invasive. And the result was amazement and joy. Let’s talk – and listen. And then listen some more. Prayer: As I make myself available to share my love for You, Jesus, help me to genuinely listen to the words and hearts of those that You lead me to. Amen.

FRI 17 JAN

IF IT’S GOD’S WILL

READ Acts 18:19-21 James 4:13-17

FOCUS As he left, he made them a promise. “If God wants me to,” he said, “I will come back.” Then he sailed from Ephesus. Acts 18:21

Regular readers will know that I have written before about my total paranoia about being in the will of God, especially when I was a new Christian. I constantly sought assurance and confirmation, and was paralysed by fear. That led me later to make a DVD series provocatively entitled Stop Looking for the Will of God. The core idea is that we should look for God, not just His will, and as we walk with Him by faith, we discover His purposes. But I know that there were times when I swung the other way, in reaction to my early obsessiveness. I took decisions too hastily and without properly seeking God in prayer or asking for wisdom from others. We’ve seen that Paul had arrived at Ephesus for the first time in his apostolic ministry with his friends Aquila and Priscilla. The couple were to remain in Ephesus for some five years, but Paul moved on, probably keen to head for Jerusalem. There might be another reason for his reluctance to stay, however, because notice that he promised to return, ‘if God wants me to.’ Let’s remember the Lord had previously forbidden Paul to go to Ephesus. This first visit there only lasted a short time – some say it was perhaps just for a week. Perhaps because of the previous prohibition, Paul wanted to be absolutely sure about the right time – God’s time – for him to settle in Ephesus. Let’s neither be paranoid or impulsively independent, but rather let’s submit our plans and intentions to the God that we call Lord. Prayer: I want Your way, Your will, not mine, Father. Be Lord in my decisions I pray. Amen.

WEEKEND 18 - 19 JAN

APOLLOS: A FERVENT LEARNER

READ Acts 18:24-26 Matthew 23:1-39

Paul leaves, but the work in Ephesus continues, with believers still gathering in the synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila lead and disciple, and then another major character appears on the scene. Apollos, a Jew from North Africa, arrived in Ephesus. An educated and gifted orator, he had a great grasp of the Old Testament. In addition, having been taught God’s ways, he was teaching truth about Jesus. There were some serious gaps in his theology, as we’ll see tomorrow, but despite his public speaking gifts and fervency, he still had the open heart of a lifelong learner. I’ve discovered that people who are fervent in their spirituality don’t always take instruction and correction easily. In their enthusiasm, they can too quickly assume they are right and others are at fault, because they perceive they are more committed than others. I count myself in this number. Intolerance can breed arrogance. Also, when our ideas are warmly received by others (as would have been the case with Apollos, being such a gifted speaker), we can be blinded by their affirmation and then be indifferent to what we view as negativity and criticism from those who genuinely want to help us. Zeal without knowledge is dangerous (Prov. 19:2, NET). The New Testament Pharisees were prime examples of the tendency for enthusiasts to become unbalanced and unteachable extremists. But Apollos modelled an open, tender heart. Let’s be like him and walk in humility as lifelong learners. To ponder: How do you react when someone suggests that you might be wrong? Do others feel able to correct you?

MON 20 JAN

FILLING IN THE GAPS

READ Acts 18:25 Titus 2:1-8

FOCUS Apollos had been taught the way of the Lord. He spoke with great power. He taught the truth about Jesus. But he only knew about John’s baptism. Acts 18:25

He passed away many years ago, but I am still grateful for a friend called Peter. A brilliant young pastor, he’d had to retire early, battling multiple sclerosis, and was confined to his home because of his illness. But although Peter’s body failed him, he maintained a passionate heart for God, and was eager to help establish new Christians in the faith – and that included me. I was utterly bewildered in the early days of my faith journey (I still am occasionally!) and I had so many questions. Week in, week out, Peter would listen quietly as I expressed my angst, and then gently responded, gradually filling in the massive gaps in my understanding. And he did more than answer questions – he was always so encouraging and was never dismissive or impatient with my slow progress. Peter fulfilled the biblical example that is rarely seen these days – an older man instructing a new follower of Jesus. Strange as it seems, because of all that Apollos had learned about Jesus, there was still a massive gap. He was still teaching John’s baptism of repentance, but had not discovered the truth about the baptism taught by Jesus. To continue with a teaching ministry with that deficiency unresolved would have been disastrous, and so Priscilla and Aquila stepped up with a gracious invitation. A healthy church will always be willing to help new Christians, in a culture where older veterans can come alongside newer disciples in the Lord. Prayer: Father, I pray for those in my church who are new to the faith. May I be a source of blessing and encouragement to them. Amen.

TUES 21 JAN

HOW TO BRING CORRECTION

READ Acts 18:24-26 1 Corinthians 16:19

FOCUS Priscilla and Aquila heard him. So they invited him to their home. There they gave him a better understanding of the way of God. Acts 18:26

There are some people who relish every opportunity to correct others – often clumsily. Others seem to have a very genuine gift of lovingly coming alongside, bringing gentle correction that inspires rather than damages. Priscilla and Aquila had this gift. The help they gave to young Apollos shows their ability to speak plainly and lovingly. This gracious couple took him into their home in Ephesus (not embarrassing him in public) and gave him the fuller story of the life and work of Jesus and the baptism that He taught. Our relationships should include the possibility of straight talk, but let’s always proceed with care. Do we find that we rather enjoy the feeling that we get when correcting others? Have those we’re quick to rebuke ever actually given us permission to speak into their lives? The fact that we are Christians does not give us an ‘access all areas’ pass to the lives of other Christians. And are we willing to be corrected ourselves, or are we deluded into believing we have graduated from that need? Before rushing to correct, perhaps we should pause and ponder: is it my place to correct this person? Do I have a personal relationship with them? Am I being a busybody? Have I prayed and asked for the right opportunity, words and tone? Am I willing to tread gently in what might be a very difficult conversation? And perhaps the most vital question: do I have a recurring practice of bringing correction? Prayer: Father God, if I find myself compelled to bring correction to others, help me to act wisely, think carefully, and proceed gently. Amen.

WED 22 JAN

A WOMAN TEACHING A MAN

READ Acts 18:24-26 Romans 16:1-7

FOCUS Priscilla and Aquila heard him. So they invited him to their home. There they gave him a better understanding of the way of God. Acts 18:26

There are still some who reject the possibility that women can ever bring teaching to men. As long as women leaders restrict their teaching ministry to fellow females, these critics are happy. But in some circles, woe betide the woman who is called to a broad ministry of leadership, preaching and teaching. In this episode, Priscilla was involved in instructing Apollos, together with her husband. Eagleeyed commentators have also noticed that often, when Paul refers to the couple, he names Priscilla first, suggesting she was the more impactful leader. In Greek, word and name placement matters because the word or name given the first place in the sentence is the emphasis. And writing to the Romans, Paul mentions Junia, a female apostle. Priscilla and Aquila’s influence was vital and strategic. Without their input, Apollos might have unwittingly continued a ministry that was persuasive but deficient, lacking the fuller revelations that he received through this wonderful couple. Let’s pray for all women in church leadership. They have to deal with prejudice and rejection, and sometimes find themselves as the minority in leadership teams dominated by male voices. I’ve met some dynamic, gifted women leaders who confess they often struggle to make themselves heard in largely masculine cultures. Let’s pray for them, for grace, patience and the ability to endure when their calling is opposed by those inside the Church, not outside. Prayer: Thank You for every woman who is called and anointed as a leader in Your Church, Lord. Strengthen them today, especially when undermined. Amen.

THUR 23 JAN

COMMENDED

READ Acts 18:27-28 Philippians 2:19-30

FOCUS Apollos wanted to go to Achaia. The brothers agreed with him. They wrote to the believers there. They asked them to welcome him. Acts 18:27

The couple arrived at our small church plant and were welcomed gladly. Apparently, they had been in leadership in another church before relocating to our area. But a brief conversation revealed they had fallen out with the other leaders in their former church, and they had a track record of unhappy short seasons in a number of churches. Initially joining them with enthusiasm, the couple quickly became angry and offended, and moved on. There were a variety of issues – most very minor – that upset them, but they had been consistently at the heart of an alarming number of conflicts. Now they were telling me they were keen to get involved in teaching, preaching, and other high levels of influence. My heart sank, and the atmosphere soured when I told them I wanted to let them settle in and gain trust from our congregation before they could be considered for any leadership role. Predictably, they were not happy. As Apollos decides that he should set off, there’s not only a sense of agreement amongst the believers in Ephesus, but they wrote a letter of commendation for him, attesting to his gifts and character. Something similar happens as Paul commends both Timothy and Epaphroditus to the church in Philippi, and also Phoebe, a deacon, to the church in Rome (Rom. 16:1-2). It’s been said that what we build with our gifts, we destroy with our character. Let’s be cautious about people who are hungry for influence before they are known and proved. Prayer: Father, thank You for Your church. When there is a need for leadership in Your church, grant Your people wisdom and discernment in their choices. Amen. 25

FRI 24 JAN

A GREAT HELP

READ Acts 18:27-28 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

FOCUS When he arrived, he was a great help to those who had become believers by God’s grace. Acts 18:27

Martin Luther is an example.

Before we leave Apollos, let’s consider his legacy. The decision to endorse him as he travelled to Corinth in Achaia proved fruitful; describing him as a ‘great help’, the Greek wording suggests he threw himself into the work of God there, building up the believers and skilfully debating with the Jews. Apollos argued convincingly that Jesus was the Messiah – some say he wrote the book of Hebrews.2 Apollos’ contribution in Corinth was celebrated by Paul as he declared that Apollos had watered the seed that he had planted (1 Cor. 3:6). And such was his impact that a faction developed around him, as some immature believers tried to pit him against Paul for popularity (1 Cor. 1:12) – a schism Apollos did not encourage. Church history suggests he was disgusted by it and left Corinth for a while, only returning to leadership in Corinth once the schism had been healed. Apollos is surely a great example of what we should all be as followers of Jesus: grounded in Scripture, able to defend our faith, a blessing to our local church, and someone who refuses to participate in petty squabbles. There’s always a danger, especially in larger churches, that we become spectators, observing others as they worship, remaining passive when there are opportunities to serve, and holding back when it comes to faithful, proportionate giving. Thank God for those who throw themselves into the work of the kingdom. That’s how to live a life of legacy. Prayer: Save me from drifting into being a spectator, Father. May my presence in the community of believers make a difference in Your service. Amen.

WEEKEND 25 - 26 JAN

THE WHOLE TRUTH

READ Acts 19:1-7 Galatians 5:16-26

Paul returns to Ephesus, to settle for around two years and nurture the church. His first task is to help a group of disciples who had previously been followers of John the Baptist. They had grasped the call to repentance from John, but not realised the truth about new life in Christ – hence their experience now of the power of the Holy Spirit and their baptism in water in response to Paul’s message. Commentators argue endlessly about this episode, some insisting these ‘disciples’ were not actually Christians, and others insisting they were already followers of Jesus, but needed teaching about the work and power of the Holy Spirit. What we can certainly glean from this episode is the need for us all to ask to be filled with God’s power every day; to partner with the work of the Spirit as He forms godly character in us, and then to make sure we have a rounded understanding of the truths of the faith. Perhaps some of us Christians who have been around for a while can have a slightly mutated faith: we understand God’s care for us, but skim over the truth about his heart for the poor and marginalised. Or we are strong in our understanding about prayer but tend to ignore what Scripture says about the importance of gathered church. Let’s consider the whole message – including the books of the Bible that we find more challenging (or even boring), lest we develop a lop-sided view of what faith is, and a warped vision of God. To ponder: Where might I have ignored or neglected areas of Scripture?

MON 27 JAN

GOD’S POWER AND HARD WORK READ Acts 19:8 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 FOCUS Paul entered the synagogue. There he spoke boldly for three months. He tried to talk the people into accepting his teaching about God’s kingdom. Acts 19:8

GOING DEEPER

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Arriving in Ephesus, Paul used the synagogue as a place to provoke conversation about the gospel of the kingdom, and then, when opposition made that difficult, he relocated to a rented lecture hall. Some manuscripts include the detail that the Christians met daily from 11am-4pm – the hottest part of the day, when many took siestas. It seems Paul supported himself by working as a leather worker, and then used the hours others used for rest to tirelessly present the good news. It wasn’t just hard work that made the difference in Ephesus, however: there were also miracles. The combination of Holy Spiritfuelled signs and wonders, with Paul’s Spiritanointed hard graft, meant a great church was established. And Paul gave his mind to the work, communicating the message in a thoughtful, intelligent way that Luke describes as ‘persuasive argument’ (Acts 19:8, NIV). I’m glad we are now more sensitive about the demands of church, not insisting believers attend endless services and exhaust themselves in too many projects and initiatives. But there are going to be times when, conscious there is work for God to do by his Spirit, and work we need to do to play our part, we have to exhaust ourselves for the sake of the Kingdom of God. If you’re a hard worker for the sake of God’s Kingdom, thank you! And let’s make sure we are giving time to develop a substantial faith, where we equip ourselves to intelligently share what we believe, with kindness and confidence. Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You to do what only You can do, and may You be able to trust me to do what You’ve called me to do. Amen.

TUES 28 JAN

THE WAY

READ Acts 19:8-10 John 14:1-14

FOCUS But some of them wouldn’t listen. They refused to believe. In public they said evil things about the Way of Jesus. Acts 19:9

The lady, a fellow passenger on a long flight, was shocked and horrified as I made my confession. We’d shared a few minutes of small talk, and now we’d got to the inevitable, ‘What do you do for a living?’ question. Discovering that I was not only a Christian, but a minister seemed to stun her. ‘Why would anyone believe all that stuff?’, she enquired, subtlety not being her gift. For just a moment, I felt like I was very odd, totally out of step with normality. And of course, I was quite wrong. Luke describes the first Christians as the people of ‘the Way’ five times in the book of Acts. As he does so, he means Jesus is the way, not just a way. Jesus stands uniquely with His claim to be absolutely the only One to whom we can go if we are to access the Father. And if that is true, then He is the right and only way for every single human being on the planet. We were born to know Him, and life without Him is not how we were designed to be. To follow Jesus is to be fully, healthily human. Let’s also remember Jesus did not come to create a religion, or to offer a ticket to heaven. He came to a lost humanity to show us the way to live, to deal with everything that kept us away from God, and to empower us to walk daily with Him. We experience the life of faith as we intentionally determine to follow Him every day. As we will see later, the theme of ‘walking’ occurs throughout the letter to the church in Ephesus. Let’s walk the way with Him today. Prayer: May I never allow my faith to become a theory, Jesus. May I walk in You, with You, even today. I declare: You alone are the Way. Amen. 29

WED 29 JAN

CLOSED DOORS, OPEN DOORS

READ Acts 19:9-10 1 Corinthians 16:5-19

FOCUS He took the believers with him. Each day he talked with people in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Acts 19:10

Perhaps it’s happened to you. You were pursuing a promising job opportunity, an ideal house relocation, a deepening friendship... only to see it end abruptly, leaving you with great disappointment. Something similar happened to Paul. Not only had he been well received in the synagogue for three months, but let’s remember that when he had previously based his ministry there during his first brief visit, he had been so popular the locals had asked him to stay rather than continue his voyage. But now, due to some chatter, probably fuelled by jealousy, Paul was forced to withdraw from the synagogue and had to rent a local hall – a location that he used daily for some two years. Paul might have been tempted not only to despair because of the rejection, but also to take the opportunity to shake the dust from his sandals and move on. Instead, he pivoted, and not only found an alternative meeting place, but also increased his effectiveness. The good news spread widely (Asia Minor is a poor translation in the NirV – it was likely the province of Asia, Ephesus itself that was being referred to). Now, because he was using neutral territory, both Jews and Gentiles were coming to faith in Christ. What was a setback turned into an opportunity for greater effectiveness. Perhaps a door has closed for you, and you’re frustrated. Why not pray God will open the way to something that will turn out to be far better? Prayer: Father, when a door seems to close, may I be watchful and faithful, ready for the possibility that good and blessing may come as a result. Amen.

THUR 30 JAN

GOD IS SO GRACIOUS

READ Acts 9:11-12 Matthew 9:18-26

FOCUS Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to those who were sick. When this happened, their sicknesses were healed and evil spirits left them. Acts 19:12

Wandering around Crete, we stumbled upon an enchanting church, which contained an unusual exhibit – the alleged skull of Titus, a friend and helper of Paul’s, who was left behind on Crete to nurture a church. A shadow passed over my soul as I remembered the period of church history where pilgrims desperately sought relics, embracing the superstition that touching them would bring healing. And there are too many examples of churches fraudulently claiming relics are authentic. One church claimed to have the brain of the apostle Peter – closer examination revealed it was a calcified potato. So, I struggle when I read about handkerchiefs carrying miraculous healing power (a better translation would be sweat cloths, the kind that Paul would have used in his demanding work as a tanner). But first of all, Luke is emphatic about the source of the power – God did amazing miracles through Paul. Commentators agree this is an example of God graciously leaning in, meeting people in the culture in which they lived. We’ve already seen Ephesus was a place where magic was rife, and so it seems the Lord met people where they were, showing His power in ways they would best understand. Something similar happened in the ministry of Jesus; as people touched Him, they were healed (Luke 6:18–19). And people clamoured for Peter’s shadow to fall over them, experiencing healing as a result (Acts 5:15–16). We have a gracious and kind God. He rushes out to meet us. Prayer: How amazing You are Lord: the One who comes looking, searching, wooing and reaching me. How great You are. I worship You with a grateful heart. Amen. 31

FRI 31 JAN

THE BEST OF TIMES AND THE WORST OF TIMES READ 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Acts 19:11-12

Perhaps you’re like me. I tend to view the different seasons of life as good or bad; the season is either one of challenge, or of opportunity. But experience shows that life isn’t like that. Often blessing is mingled with pain, answered prayer comes alongside bewildering questions of faith. So it was with Paul. Writing to the church in Corinth, he describes a season in ‘the province of Asia’ where he found himself in a place of utter despair. Some suggest this was because of the riot we’re about to consider, but Paul isn’t specific. What we do know is he was experiencing stunning blessing with many miracles flowing, yet this was also a season of emotional challenge and hopelessness.

FOCUS In fact, in our hearts we felt as if we were under the sentence of death. 2 Corinthians 1:9

There have been seasons in my life when I have felt prayer was just a waste of time and energy. And then suddenly, the sun breaks out from behind the clouds and a prayer is answered. I’m grateful, but then wonder why this prayer was answered but that prayer wasn’t. Even as I write today, we have a very dear friend who has just passed away, and there have been many tears. Yet mingled with this are signs of blessing and clarity too.

GOING DEEPER

Life, even the life of discipleship, is shrouded with mystery, but this much we know for sure: the love and blessing of God doesn’t promise us a life without significant heartache and challenge. Difficulties are not an indication of God’s absence or lack of care. Blessing and pain often run parallel.

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Prayer: Father, help me to learn to trust You more in the mysterious journey of life and faith. Help me to hold on tight when tough times come. Amen. 32

HOLY LAND TOURS

USA GROUP: 30TH AUGUST–11SEPTEMBER 2025 (INCLUDES 3 DAYS IN LONDON) UK GROUP: 3RD–10TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Join Jeff and Kay Lucas on a very special tour of Israel that will transform and inform your Bible reading time. Sharing practical, biblical insights as they travel, they will take you to the famous biblical locations, including Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Register your interest now and look forward to a well-organised and informative visit. And there will be lots of fun too! Some highlights of the visit will be to biblical locations where Jesus walked such as the Sea of Galilee, Caeserea Philippi, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the garden of Gethsemane. We will also visit the Dead Sea, Masada and Qumran, the Garden Tomb, walk the streets of the old city of Jerusalem, and visit the Western (Wailing) Wall. Professional local guides share their wealth of historical and archeological knowledge; Jeff offers teaching as we tour, and Jeff and Kay host the entire experience – one that some travellers have enjoyed so much they have returned to do the same trip a second and even a third time! With excellent hotels, amazing food, and the unforgettable experience of exploring the stunning old city of Jerusalem (with markets where you can haggle for a bargain) this trip will delight and inspire. Come with us! 34

To register your interest so that you are among the first to get all the information you need, visit: www.jefflucas.org

Please continue to join in prayer with us for Isreal and Gaza at this time... – pray for global political leaders, especially with the change of administration within the USA and also high-level changes in the Israeli core governmental leadership. – as we go to press pray for the ongoing situation with Iran. – that all who mourn will be comforted. Please pray. 35

WEEKEND 01 - 02 FEB

GUARDING HIS NAME

It’s a terrifying episode, as a group of wandering Jewish exorcists, impressed by Paul’s spiritual authority, attempt to use the name of Jesus to bring deliverance, probably for payment. It’s interesting that Luke specially lists these renegades as the sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest. There’s some discussion among commentators about whether Sceva was actually the official high priest or whether he had just set himself up with that title. The Jewish high priest was the one man who was authorised to pronounce the otherwise unmentioned name of God, on the Day of Atonement, once a year. So perhaps his sons felt they were able to use whatever name they wanted if it gave them power – because magical power in Ephesus meant money. But the name of Jesus is not to be used as a formula. It is for those who know Him and are known by Him and therefore pray with His authority. Sceva’s boys took a terrible beating.

READ Acts 19:13-16 Acts 11:1-18

So what does this have to do with us? Decades of pastoral leadership have shown me that too often, we Christians can attach God’s name to what we want to do; surely God is blamed millions of times a day for what He did not want. History is littered with terrible examples – the Crusades, the Inquisition – all done in the name of Christ, discrediting Jesus’ Name. In Acts 11 we see a community discerning the will of God together. Let’s be willing to take counsel. And let’s not rush to mandate what we are doing by misusing the name above all names. To ponder: Do we sometimes rush to say that God is definitely directing us? Why might we do that?

MON 03 FEB

BOOK BURNINGS

READ Acts 19:17-20 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

FOCUS A number of those who had practiced evil magic brought their scrolls together. They set them on fire out in the open. Acts 19:19

It was a decision that cost me my entire record collection (for younger readers, a ‘record’ was a vinyl disc containing music, long before downloads!) Rumour had it that all nonChristian music was sinful and carried dark power, and some popular preachers even insisted satanic messages were ‘backward masked’ into the recording process. Sadly, my vinyl collection went up in smoke. And while I had a couple of albums with some questionable songs, the whole ‘backward masking’ fiasco proved to be a hoax. So, I’m nervous when any new Christian suggests they are going to dispose of anything because of their love for Jesus. But my overreaction is wrong. In Ephesus, a city obsessed with the occult, there was a need for the believers there to destroy their occult materials (in this case, extremely valuable scrolls) and confess their past dabbling in the dark arts. And their enthusiasm bore fruit, because their commitment was so impressive that it triggered a response from others as the ‘word of the Lord spread everywhere’. It appears that the group decision to get rid of the scrolls came from those who were already believers. It takes time for new Christians to realise the implications of following Christ. But while we need to be gracious and patient, the lesson that emerges from the Ephesian bonfire is this: let’s not mess with the occult. As this story proves, there’s something in it – which we neither need nor want. Prayer: Lord, help me to choose Your way today – whatever the cost. Amen.

TUES 04 FEB

JESUS ALONE IS LORD

READ Acts 19:23-27 John 14:1-14

FOCUS ‘He says that the gods we make are not gods at all.’ Acts 19:26

Thirty-seven years ago, philosopher Allan Bloom shocked America with his book The Closing of the American Mind. The opening line went straight for the jugular. ‘There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student in America believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative.’3 This was ground-breaking stuff, not least because it didn’t come from the pen of a Christian leader, but from a respected academic, deeply concerned that culture has lost its core story, and truth was no longer seen as a series of absolute principles. Other academics have weighed in since, some saying that rigorous debate is impossible in most university classrooms. Whenever a strong opinion is expressed about an ethical position, the cry goes up that the person with the opinion is being judgmental, immediately ending the discussion. It becomes difficult to take a stand for any truth. We can feel overwhelmed by the challenges of living as gospel people in a culture like this. But it’s all been done before. Our early Christian ancestors in Ephesus had to stand for the unique claims of Jesus in a threatening atmosphere. They refused to present Jesus as a god, but rather held fast to the truth that He is the only God, and that all other claims of divinity are false. Let’s make sure that we are respectful as we present our beliefs. But let’s be clear and unafraid to take a stand for the truth claims of Christ. He alone is Lord. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be faithful to You, in word, in deed, and in my confidence in who You uniquely are: the way, the truth, the life. Amen.

Allan Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind, (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008), p.25, first published in 1987.

WED 05 FEB

BEWARE THE CROWD

READ Acts 19:23-41 Romans 12:1-2 FOCUS The crowd didn’t know what was going on. Some were shouting one thing and some another. Most of the people didn’t even know why they were there. Acts 19:32

GOING DEEPER

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We saw yesterday that Christian values can seem so out of step with our culture. The young person committed to maintaining their virginity until marriage is greeted by raised eyebrows, as though there is something wrong with them. The businessperson in the boardroom insisting that sweat shops are houses of oppression may be told the bottom line is all that matters. Not that Christians are the only ones with social principles: on the contrary, often we have been too preoccupied with getting to heaven to live radically in the world today. Just as economics fuelled the crowd fury in Ephesus – the growth of the church was decimating the sales of occult items, to the concern of the traders – so there will be times when we find ourselves out of step with what the crowd thinks. As Luke chronicles this event, he wants to show us that the early Christians did nothing to anger the Roman authorities. Paul was a Roman citizen, which is perhaps one reason why he wanted to step into the arena. But as Luke gives us a detailed description, both of the crowd and the skilful leadership of the city manager, we see there are times when people just follow people – even though they don’t really know why. It just seems cool to join in with the shouting. Christians are called to be non-conformists by nature. Yet we can also be guilty of following the crowd, believing things without investigating them for ourselves. Crowds of all kinds can be wrong. Prayer: Father, help me to walk in step with You, and not just go with the flow – wherever the flow comes from. Amen. 39

THUR 06 FEB

COMMITTED CHURCH

READ Acts 20:1-21:1 Hebrews 10:19-25

FOCUS ‘I know that after I leave, wild wolves will come in among you. They won’t spare any of the sheep.’ Acts 20:29

GOING DEEPER

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In one of the most moving passages of Scripture, Paul, realising great trouble is ahead, summons the leaders from Ephesus to bid them a tearful goodbye. As he does so, we see a powerful demonstration of the love and commitment the early Christians shared. The trip from Ephesus to Miletus would have taken a day and a half along a difficult road – but the Ephesian leaders responded willingly to Paul’s summons. Their loyalty must have impacted him deeply, because rumours were spreading about him, accusing him of insincerity, and the churches in Thessalonica and Ephesus had been affected. Paul made an appeal to their memories of him. They knew his hard work, his teaching, his character. And now he warns them that, just as trouble for him has come both from outside persecution, and from within the church, so they will face difficulties from ‘wolves‘ rising up within the flock. Sensing he will never see any of these friends again, they part with tears – Luke says they ‘tore themselves away’. As we hear these words about sacrifice, effort, tenacity, perseverance through suffering, and finally grief because of parting, we see there was nothing casual about Christian fellowship. While we should never take a utopian view of the Early Church – they had plenty of internal problems, including false teaching and rumours – we should surely be challenged not to treat church like a consumer service, but as a family that deserves our deep commitment. Prayer: Father, I am grateful for my local church community. May I always be a congregant who serves, not a consumer looking to be served. Amen.

FRI 07 FEB

NEW LIFE!

READ Ephesians 1:1-22 Romans 6:1-14

FOCUS I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ... I keep asking him to give you the wisdom and understanding... from the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:17

As we turn now to the letter to the church in Ephesus, it’s clear Paul has a few objectives in mind. He wants the Ephesians to know he is continually praying for them to have a greater heart knowledge of the living Jesus, and to remember God is the missional, saving God. And then we also see three key truths about us, as followers of Jesus. We are called to be those who are ‘set apart’ for God’s purposes, walking in faithfulness with Him, (walking is a constant theme) because we are ‘in’ Christ Jesus. This first chapter gives a broad overview of what our new life in Christ looks like: we are now living in two places at once. In the case of the Ephesians, they lived in Ephesus but were also citizens of the invisible kingdom of God. Immediately we see that ‘knowing Jesus’ is not just about church attendance and embracing a different morality code. It is a revolutionary new existence, an entirely new life. That’s why we are baptised, to symbolise that nothing less than a death, burial and resurrection has taken place. And because of this, we are part of a new creation, with a new community – the Church – at its heart. For Paul, the idea of a lone Christian, trying to live a life of faith outside of that new creation community, is unthinkable. All the other revolutions of history pale into insignificance compared with this. And we are part of it! Let’s offer ourselves fully again to the instigator of that wonderful revolution today. Prayer: Lord, let the revolution be seen in me, and in Your Church, today. Help me to know You and live as a citizen of Your kingdom. Amen. 41

WEEKEND 08 - 09 FEB

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME

It’s one aspect of the Christmas season that I’m not keen on (last year’s is now a fading memory): those annual newsletters that often arrive with a Christmas card. I welcome the news from friends and family, but occasionally feel rather intimidated as they talk about the best parts of their lives. Their careers are thriving, their churches blossoming, and their small children speak fluent Hebrew and Greek and have mastered countless musical instruments... It’s not that I don’t want them to flourish and be blessed – but sometimes I wonder if they are editing out the challenges. As we walk through Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, we will notice there are no personal updates and information about Paul. That comes as a surprise, especially as he asks for prayer – but how might they best pray for him, if they don’t know how he is doing? And then we discover, at the end of the letter, that Paul was sending a friend and colleague, Tychicus, to give them his personal news. In the meantime, Paul wants to focus on talking to the Ephesians about the Lord. That’s his priority.

READ Ephesians 1:1 Ephesians 6:21-22

We can all fall into the trap of selfpreoccupation. Perhaps we’ve all experienced friendships where, whatever we share about ourselves, the other person quickly turns the focus back to them. In our conversations, let’s act differently: diligently listen, celebrate Jesus more, and resist the temptation to grab the conversational spotlight. To ponder: Would we dare ask our closest friends if we are good at listening to and focusing on them in conversation?

MON 10 FEB

A PART OR SET APART

READ Ephesians 1:1-2 Romans 12:1-8

FOCUS I am sending this letter to you, God’s people in Ephesus. Ephesians 1:1

Most often, the word ‘saint’ is used to describe someone very good, selfless and godly. For some churches, a saint has to be formally recognised, and only those who have performed miracles can be considered. But that is wrong: and the Bible uses the word in a totally different way. The King James Version translates Ephesians 1:1 as ‘to the saints which are in Ephesus’. The word, which means ‘set apart’, has echoes from the Old Testament, where buildings, items, and people were earmarked for God’s service. They were not considered holy because of personal merit, but because they were designated for God’s use. We are saints, not because we have attained super-spirituality but because we have offered ourselves to God, as ‘living sacrifices’, to use the language of Romans. And that has implications for our behaviour – because we have been set apart, we will be faithful people. It’s possible to develop a form of Christianity where God occupies a small part of our lives (like our Sunday mornings), and we are not really set apart for God, making His purposes central to our existence. When God is just a part of our days, we’ll tend to reserve prayer for emergencies, offer minimal commitment, and back away from anything too costly. God calls us saints. Paul wrote this letter as a prisoner in Rome, probably some 3-5 years after his farewell meeting in Miletus. By grace, let’s live faithfully, whatever our current circumstances. Prayer: Father, when the road is steep, when questions multiply, and when hope dims, help me to be faithful to You, today and always. Amen. 43

TUES 11 FEB

AN OVERFLOW OF WORSHIP READ Ephesians 1:3 Psalm 147:1-20

FOCUS Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3a

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Waiting to head up onto the platform to preach, I scanned the congregation. Some were very obviously engaging with the worship, their hands held aloft, singing their hearts out. Others seemed content to quietly enjoy the time, perhaps reflecting on the words of the song, pondering their meaning. But there were many others who just seemed completely disengaged. It’s wrong for me to judge, but appearances suggested many were simply spectators, not showing any sign, outwardly at least, of being involved in the time of praise and thanksgiving. As Paul begins his letter to his friends in Ephesus, he begins with nothing less than an outpouring of worship – one long continuous sentence in the Greek (Eph. 1:3-13). As we’ll see tomorrow, this was more than exuberance – Paul’s words of worship are loaded with thoughtful, rich theology. But he barely begins his letter before he bursts into praise. Having attended thousands of worship services, I confess that I have not fully engaged with all of them, and perhaps that’s the reality of being human. But I want to come to times of worship with a heart that wants to give, to bless the Lord, to express my gratitude for His love and grace. Of course, worship is about more than singing songs and praying prayers – we are called to make all of life an act of worship. But when we do gather in our local churches, regardless of the style of worship that we are familiar with, let’s participate and not spectate. Prayer: You are worthy, Lord. The angels cry glory! Enable me to bring my heart, soul and voice to give You praise as I respond to Your great love. Amen.

WED 12 FEB

WHY WORSHIP?

READ Ephesians 1:3 Romans 5:1-11

FOCUS Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3a

Let’s pause for a moment and ask what might seem an awkward question: why are we called to praise God? Does God have a massive ego, constantly needing to be told just how great and glorious He is? Any human being who acts like that would be called a narcissist. Others view worship as a mechanism to persuade God to do what we want Him to do. If we grease the wheels of prayer with worship, then He is more likely to take action. And still others see worship as a warm-up activity before the real work of preaching and teaching takes place – I’ve been in churches where the minister describes the worship element of the service as ‘the preliminaries’. As we consider Paul’s opening words to the Ephesians, we realise worship is in fact not a means to get God to do something, but rather a response to what God has done in Christ. In a world of chaos and uncertainty, God is still at work in His unfolding plan for the cosmos, as revealed in this letter. And when we as individuals get just a glimpse of what the Lord has done for us because of His great love, then the only fitting and even natural response is one of grateful worship and praise. Perhaps that’s why some people simply watch others worship, as I mentioned yesterday – that many of us believers have not got a sufficient biblical understanding of how we have been saved, what we have been rescued from, and what we have been saved for. God has done great things. Let’s worship Him. Prayer: You have shown Your wonderful love to me, in the sending and giving of Your Son, heavenly Father. Thank You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 45

THUR 13 FEB

BLESSED

READ Ephesians 1:3-10 Ephesians 6:12

FOCUS He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Those blessings come from the heavenly world. They belong to us because we belong to Christ. Ephesians 1:3b

It is so easy to forget to celebrate answers to prayer, and I need to be frequently nudged into thankfulness. But perhaps we think of God’s blessing in terms of provision: this was the way the Old Testament views blessing. In an agricultural culture, God’s people saw the hand of the Lord in a bountiful crop. But Paul points beyond ‘stuff’ to spiritual blessing, as he delights in what God has done in Christ. All three members of the Trinity are involved in this amazing work that has been done for us, and it is staggeringly generous. But notice a phrase that occurs five times in this book and nowhere else in Paul’s writings: ‘the heavenly world’. This seems confusing. Does this mean that in some sense we are already in heaven? That’s not what Paul is saying: he is not describing a specific geographical location, somewhere beyond the sky, but rather the invisible, spiritual reality. There is an unseen dimension, where warfare rages, and spiritual forces of evil operate. There Christ reigns, and because of that, His people are given authority in prayer. Let’s not limit the blessing of God to the tangible things, especially when our circumstances seem bleak. There is so much God has done that amounts to far more than an answered prayer here and there: we have been forgiven, chosen, and drawn into God’s huge master plan, not just as workers, but as adopted children. And all of this because we are loved so dearly by Him. Hallelujah! Prayer: Lord, I thank You for lavishing me with grace. Your eternal decision has been to love me. I’m grateful. Amen.

FRI 14 FEB

AN ELECT PEOPLE

READ Ephesians 1:11-14 1 Peter 2:4-10

FOCUS We were also chosen to belong to him. God decided to choose us long ago in keeping with his plan. Ephesians 1:11

All this talk of people being chosen (elected is another word for chosen) has led theologians into arguments. Some say God specifically picks one individual to be saved, and another to be condemned. While it is obvious that a daily Bible note is not going to scratch the surface of this controversy, let me state my view – that predestination refers to a people rather than to persons. God chose to use the Jewish nation as a beacon people, to give the whole earth a working model of what life lived under God’s reign would look like. Now, as Peter outlines, we who are in Christ are God’s chosen people. Just as Paul refers to ‘we who were chosen’ – Jewish Christians – and then says, ‘And you also were included in Christ’, referring to the welcome now offered to Gentile believers – so God has ‘chosen’ all those who are found in Christ Jesus. He has elected Israel, he has elected His Church – and if I am found in Christ through putting my hope and faith in Him, then I am part of that ‘elect’ people. Christianity is not about scattered individuals having a faith experience, but rather believers melded together in the corporate family of the Church: we are a people, not just a collection of persons. Perhaps life in the community of the church is hard for some of us right now. Let’s refuse the temptation to go it alone – not just because we will lose out, but also because God has called a people together, under the designation, ‘chosen’. Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for the privilege – and responsibility – of being named among the people of God, a people for Your possession. Amen.

WEEKEND 15 - 16 FEB

PRAYING FOR YOU

READ Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 22:31-34

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It’s a phrase often used among Christians – ‘I’m praying for you.’ Jesus was able to assure Peter of His prayers. But sometimes we either forget to actually pray, or our prayer is tokenism at best, as we mutter the name of the person and their need, and then move on. But Paul was able to say that he had practised both thankfulness and prayers on behalf of his friends in Ephesus. As we ponder his words, we can find inspiration and help with the way we pray for others. We can pray they will navigate their days with God’s wisdom and insight, and that, by faith, they will know God better – their knowledge of God will keep growing deeper. We can pray they will know the breath of what it means to experience God’s salvation – our rich inheritance – and that their hearts might be filled with authentic hope. We pray that, whatever challenges they face, they will catch a sense of God’s amazing resurrection power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead, and is at work in our lives. We can pray that they might understand that Christ is now seated at the Father’s right hand. The work of salvation is completed. And then let’s bring to mind the specific needs in that person’s life. When we don’t know how to pray for others, Paul gives us some great pointers. Let’s not just promise to pray, but make sure that we follow through on what we pledge. ‘I always remember to pray for you’, says Paul. Let’s be like him. To ponder: Are there people in our lives that we need to commit to regularly pray for? Who are they?

MON 17 FEB

THE WAY WE WERE

READ Ephesians 2:1-3 Colossians 2:1-15 FOCUS You were living in your sins and lawless ways. But in fact you were dead. You used to live as sinners when you followed the ways of this world. Ephesians 2:1-2

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Some Christians become habitually critical of others: their slogan is ‘I don’t suffer fools gladly.’ But when we act like that, we forget the incredible grace God has shown to us. It isn’t just that we had a few accumulated sins in our lives, or were ignoring our true potential when we lived without God. Paul slams home this truth: we were dead. Ponder the reality of a dead body: it is useless, unable to respond, ready to putrefy. The only thing to do with a corpse is to dispose of it as quickly as possible. Spiritually, we were corpses. And we were disobedient too – the language used here to describe disobedience means someone taking one premeditated, conscious step after another, willfully rebelling against what’s right. And if all of that is not bad enough, we were under the power of evil, held bound by ‘the one who rules over the spiritual forces of evil’ (Eph. 2:2). That doesn’t mean that we were possessed by evil, but here Paul points us back to the author of temptation, Satan himself. All of this made us deserving of the judgement of God. But now, as we will see, everything has changed because of what Christ has done for us. People who remember they were dead, disobedient and devil-influenced tend to be more forgiving to others when they fail or disappoint. Saved sinners are a lot less critical than pious people. We’ve received resurrecting grace and forgiveness. Let’s be ready to pass it around. Prayer: Thank You for the resurrecting work of grace that You have done for and in me, Lord. Help me to be forgiving to others today. Amen. 49

TUES 18 FEB

BUT GOD

READ Ephesians 2:4-7 Romans 6:8-11

FOCUS But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. Ephesians 2:4,5a

Everything can change with just one word. Paul has previously described our dead condition: now he pauses and says, ‘but...’. Now, everything changes, from death to life. Dead people can’t help themselves. But because of God’s epic love, His power has raised us up in Christ. Just as Jesus came to life, ascended, and then was seated at the right hand of the Father, so all three events have now taken place in our lives. That doesn’t suggest that we are now in heaven with God, but we have already taken our place at the banqueting table of His favour (in Scripture, the right hand is always the place of honour). We have been seated in the heavenly realms - that invisible sphere where angels and demons are at warfare – and we're granted authority. The future will be about endless discovery of the wonders of God and experiencing God’s generosity and goodness. God is kind. Notice too that Paul insists all of this is because of grace – grace for our past, because grace caused Him to take action to save us, and grace in our future, in all that He has prepared for us. But while the future is stunningly bright, we don’t have to wait until Christ comes to experience authority in prayer, and outrageous grace. Eternity is already unfolding, and God’s grace and kindness are ours. May we live today secure in the knowledge of what God feels about us, and what amazing grace has done for us. We are loved, saved, and secure. Thank God! Prayer: Lord, help me to grasp a greater understanding of the love, grace, and kindness of Your heart. Eternity will reveal Your fulness, but show me more of You today. Amen.

WED 19 FEB

GOD’S POETRY

READ Ephesians 2:8-10 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

FOCUS God made us. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good things. Long ago God prepared them for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

I love art. This sentence would come as a total surprise to my long-suffering art teacher from high school days, who wrote the most acerbic reports about my lack of creativity. My attempts were mostly at trying to create surreal creations, like aping Andy Warhol’s ‘Campbell’s Soup’ painting. My art teacher was not impressed with my can on a plate. God is obviously not only an artist, but the artist. The splendour of creation testifies to His skills. It’s not only in the breathtaking sunset that we see His genius, however, but in us, because in Christ, we are new creations – His workmanship, as one translation puts it. The word used here is only used once elsewhere in the New Testament, in Romans 1:20, referring to the creation of the world. Just as God made something stunning out of nothing then, so now He has made something beautiful (the word used is the root of our word ‘poetry’) of us former corpses. And just as art should convey meaning and beauty, so now, we works of art are shaped to do ‘good things’, all as part of God’s eternal plan. He didn’t just throw us together on a Friday afternoon whim, but gave us life in Christ as part of His strategy to redeem the planet. Sometimes our lives feel void of purpose, our days are unfruitful, and we feel useless. Today, let’s celebrate the grace of God that saved us. No work of art can create itself, but it’s entirely the artist’s work. Now we have purpose, as those numbered among the people of God. Prayer: Father, thank You for shaping me, in Christ, for Your purposes. Help me live as one of Your works of art today. Amen.

THUR 20 FEB

BLOOD IS THICKER

READ Ephesians 2:11-13 Colossians 1:15-23

FOCUS Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13

As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water, referring to deep ties among family members. Here, Paul paints a radical picture of a new family bound together by blood. There had been a huge barrier between Jews and Gentiles. Even though Israel had been called to model a life lived in harmony with God, she had become exclusive, viewing Gentiles as being far away from God and giving them contemptuous names. The word ‘uncircumcision’ is a polite translation here – Gentiles were actually called ‘the foreskins’ of the earth, and were also known as dogs. But now, in Christ, both a societal and a relational revolution had taken place, as a new community of new creation people had been formed. This group was centred on far more than a shared political ideology or common purpose; this was a new species of humanity who were now in Christ, brought close to each other and to God. The wonder of the Church is that, far from being formed of people who would naturally gravitate together because of their interests, social background, ages or temperaments, instead it is a family that is gathered. This is not because of what we share, but solely because of what Christ has done. That can present difficulties when we feel we don’t fit, that there are few people we can relate to. But the wonder of the Church is that this is a diverse community walking together, not just because we like each other, but because we are joined in heart by the shed blood of Christ. Prayer: Lord, I pray for the church of which I am a part. Help us to walk together in unity, faithfulness, and harmony. Amen.

FRI 21 FEB

PEACE IN AND THROUGH HIM READ Ephesians 2:14-18 Philippians 3:1-14

FOCUS For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:14

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Posted at the entryway of the inner courts of the Temple in Jerusalem, a sign read: ‘No Gentile may enter inside the enclosing screen around the Temple. Whoever is caught is alone responsible for the death which follows.’ But the barrier between Jew and Gentile was not just about off-limits areas of designated holy places, but a deep prejudice that existed between them. Even today, walls can be ugly monuments to long, simmering animosity. At the Western Wall in Jerusalem, women and men are still strictly divided, only allowed to approach the sacred site in the area designated for their gender. This is yet another wall of separation, erected in the name of religion. But now, in Christ, walls have been destroyed. Paul is saying that the wall of hostility which once existed between us and God, and the walls that separated the ethnicities and nations, have all come down, or can come down. And that barrier separated us from God, which was our inability to keep the demands of the law – that wall has been abolished too, because in His life, death and resurrection Christ has fulfilled all the demands of the law. There are a lot of walls that have come tumbling down because of Jesus. Notice that it is not just that He has given us His peace, but He has given us Himself. In Him is peace, and He Himself is our peace. Today, let’s pursue and walk with the Jesus who lives and brings peace through His presence. Let’s press on to know Him more. Prayer: Lord, help me to press on to know You more and, as I do, to experience peace with You and with others. Amen. 53

WEEKEND 22 - 23 FEB

TEMPLES

READ Ephesians 2:19-22 Matthew 18:15-20

The Ephesians knew all about temples. We’ve already seen that one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – the temple dedicated to Artemis, stood proudly in their city. And when Paul wrote these words, Herod’s Temple dominated Jerusalem. The first was dedicated to a false idol, and the second was off limits to the Gentiles. But now Paul points to a new temple, where the presence of God can truly dwell. This temple is not a building, but the people of God. While I remain convinced there can be a special sense of God about church buildings where the Lord has been faithfully worshipped for centuries, nevertheless the ‘place’ where His presence can be found is among His people. With the testimony of the apostles and prophets as the foundation, and with Jesus Himself as the cornerstone, God chooses to be among the citizens and family members who make up the collective people of God. While God promises to be with us individually, there is a special sense of His presence and authority being among those, even if there are just two or three of them, who gather together in His name. Having said that, we should remember the promise of His presence among the two or three is offered in the context of discipline, and not quote the verse ‘where two or three gather’ out of context. And let’s not neglect being among, serving with, and worshipping together with God’s people. We gather together, not only to each other, but to Him. To ponder: Do you believe that places as well as people can become ‘holy’?

MON 24 FEB

THE GRACE GIFT OF SERVICE

READ Ephesians 3:1-7 Romans 15:15-16

FOCUS By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Ephesians 3:7

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I’m often inspired by volunteers who work tirelessly in their local churches. Sometimes grafting without much recognition or applause, they are the backbone of many congregations. Without their efforts, their churches wouldn’t be able to function. But occasionally I meet volunteers who have become embittered, perhaps because they feel unappreciated, or have just become wearied by the demands of serving. Becoming an apostle to the Gentiles had cost Paul dearly. He faced misunderstandings from the Jewish Christian converts, and had endless tussles with false teachers who tried to drag the churches he founded away from grace and back into law. And then in going into Gentile territory with the gospel, Paul had faced great persecution and personal threat. But there’s not a hint of resentment in his words here: instead, he views his calling as a gift of grace given to him by the Lord. In short, he insisted that service, even costly and demanding service, is a huge privilege. Perhaps some of us have been working hard in our church context, and we’re starting to feel resentment because of it. If that’s the case, may God help us to discover again the joy that comes from knowing grace offers the opportunity to serve, and it’s a real privilege to work hard in the service of the King. According to Paul, being known as a servant of the gospel is one of the greatest privileges in life. God loves a cheerful giver. May we serve Him with gladness. Prayer: Help me to always serve You with gladness, Lord, especially when I feel tired, unappreciated, or short of time. Amen.

TUES 25 FEB

SHAME

READ Ephesians 3:8-9 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

FOCUS Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about... Christ. Ephesians 3:8

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In too many prayer meetings that I’ve attended, someone has decided on a decent session of self-mortification, and so moves into a time of self-deprecating language: ‘Oh Lord, even though we are vile, useless reprobates, please bless us.’ This obsession with shame makes me uncomfortable. There is a time to declare our sinfulness – but if my children burst into tears at the sight of me, wailing loudly about their unworthiness, I’d give them a little talking to about how much I treasure them. So how do we square that with Paul’s ‘I’m the least of the least’ language, as he perhaps makes a play on words – his name means ‘least’ or ‘small’. Let’s never forget what Paul never forgot – that he had been responsible for terrible persecution of the church in his zealous days before he came to know Christ. Even though he knew he had been forgiven, there must have been days when he remembered the traumatised faces of those hauled away as part of his regime of oppression. And Paul is also using his own experience as an example of the shame that was his, now replaced by the boundless riches of Christ, which he was now able to share with the Gentiles, who themselves had known only shame and banishment. We are sinners saved by grace, and we must always remember that – it’s a great remedy for religious haughtiness. But let’s not turn that into endless litanies where we bemoan our past. Rather let’s remember the riches of our present and our future. Prayer: Father, save me from the suffocating shame that overwhelms me, or from any pride that could lead me into self-deception. Amen.

WED 26 FEB

A COLOURFUL PEOPLE

READ Ephesians 3:10-13 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

FOCUS He wanted the rulers and authorities in the heavenly world to come to know his great wisdom. The church would make it known to them. Ephesians 3:10

As I pondered the headlines this morning, I’m reminded again of the utter brokenness of our world. The fallen state of humanity is underscored every day. We can feel overwhelmed, questioning if there is a solution. Our quick response might be that Jesus is the answer, as indeed He is, but Paul reveals the stunning news God has determined to display His wisdom through His collective people, the Church. Just as Israel was raised up to be a working model for the world to emulate, so now the Church is called to show the ‘manifold’ wisdom of God – the word here is similar to the one used to describe Joseph’s ‘coat of many colours’ (Gen. 37:3). A people of many races and backgrounds, working, witnessing, worshipping together – this is how God has chosen to reveal Himself, not only to the human race, but also to angels and demons in the invisible realm. Let’s never dismiss the vital importance of the Church. But then notice how quickly Paul then begins to talk about his own sufferings for the sake of the gospel. I have shared in the past about our dear friend and former project manager for Life with Lucas, Steve Legg, who passed away after a brave battle with cancer. Steve loved loud, colourful shirts. And his faith and determination to finish well were a stunning, arresting and vibrant inspiration. Once again, through the Church, and through him as one of its members, God’s beauty was revealed. But it is often in suffering that it shines brightest. Prayer: Lord, I pray for Your people, especially those who suffer for Your name’s sake. May Your beauty shine out through a faithful, hopeful people. Amen. 57

THUR 27 FEB

STRENGTH

READ Ephesians 3:14-17 Luke 4:1-13

FOCUS I pray that he will use his glorious riches to make you strong. May His Holy Spirit give you His power deep down inside you. Ephesians 3:16

Perhaps it has happened to you, too. Finding ourselves in the midst of temptation, when it would have been easy to make a sinful choice, we suddenly found ourselves overwhelmingly compelled to do the right thing. This was more than just moral fortitude: it seemed like a force within us, empowering us to resist. Surely this was the work of the Holy Spirit, who can empower us when we feel weak with a strength that comes from beyond ourselves, from God Himself. Much is often made of the outward and tangible work of the Holy Spirit – when the gifts of the Spirit are in operation, or when somebody is miraculously healed. These are marvelous aspects of the Spirit’s work, although, if we are honest, we don’t see exceptional miracles as much as we would like. But let’s never ignore the inner work of God’s Spirit, not only prompting and empowering us towards good character, but also helping us to know Christ is truly living within us as we walk with Him by faith. We are not at the mercy of temptation, no matter how strong the pull of compulsive and habitual behaviour might be. Temptation can make us feel both vulnerable and very alone. But just as Jesus went into the wilderness filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, so can we. Perhaps some of us feel we’re in the grip of a destructive behaviour pattern. A word from me won’t fix that. But based on all that Scripture says, you and I are neither alone nor powerless. Prayer: Fill and empower me today, through Your Spirit, Father, that I might not only choose well, but be transformed into Your likeness. Amen.

FRI 28 FEB

KNOWING THE LOVE OF GOD

READ Ephesians 3:17-19 Romans 8:37-39

FOCUS May you have power with all God’s people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. Ephesians 3:18

God loves you. It’s a phrase we are so familiar with, but while we believe it, sometimes we wrestle with truly accepting it. We have no problem in believing God loves the world generally, but we struggle to rest in the knowledge that God loves us specifically. Paul uses superlative language, talking about knowing a love that’s ultimately beyond knowledge, and grasping the dimensions of a love so huge that it can’t be measured. He even speaks of being filled up with the fulness of God Himself (fulness is a theme both of Ephesians and Colossians), and so we realise that we are loved with a love beyond our comprehension. To say that we have understood God’s love for us is like a child standing with a glass of water by the sea, and then saying they have the ocean in their hand. Knowing and resting in God’s love is not something that just comes naturally, but is the result of the work of God’s Spirit in our lives. That’s why Paul is praying for the Ephesians to have a greater comprehension, not only of how they are called to love (they are rooted and established in love, the primary characteristic of this new creation people), but how they are so greatly loved by God. How often we forget what God not only feels for us, but how He acts towards us, even sending His own Son for our rescue. Whatever we are experiencing today in our circumstances, may we know this: God loves us a trillion times more than we currently know. Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me afresh Your love, by the revelation of Your Spirit at work in me. Amen. 59

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WEEKEND 01 - 02 MAR

GOD’S DREAMS

READ Ephesians 3:20-21 Genesis 15:1-5

Faith takes imagination. Faith looks beyond the concrete reality of our seen world, and dares to believe there is a Creator, a loving God. It is a lifting up of our eyes and hearts to what is currently unseen. Abram was invited to scan the heavens and engage in some star counting, in order to provoke imaginative faith about his multitudinous descendants. And faith imagines possibilities because of that belief – prayers can be answered, evil can be sent packing, miracles do happen. But faith is far more than imagination. As Paul celebrates the God who has power beyond what we can ask or think, he is not spinning a hollow, ‘If you can dream it, it can be done’ yarn. The power is not in our ability to imagine, but in the God who is greater than anything we can begin to conceive. Nobody could ever have imagined people from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds worshipping together, but God did it through the work of Christ! Paul uses a rare word, best translated ‘infinitely more than’ to show God’s power is beyond imagining. So God is not a genie in a bottle who exists to fulfill our wildest dreams, but the Mighty One who invites us to participate in His Kingdom dream. As we remember the One who brought the universe into being is our God, at work in us and His Church, let’s never allow our vision of Him to shrink. Let’s remember we are invited into His dreams – and He is not the servant of our dreams. To ponder: How can we participate in God’s dream, and avoid obsession with our own small dreams?

MON 03 MAR

UNITY

READ Ephesians 4:1-3 Colossians 3:12-17

FOCUS The Holy Spirit makes you one in every way. So try your best to remain as one. Let peace keep you together. Ephesians 4:3

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One of the best portraits of a healthy church is found at the end of Exodus, where God’s people moved forward together when the cloud of God’s presence moved – and stopped where He stopped (Exod. 40). True health is the ability to know what God is doing, and then move as one body to stay in step with ‘the cloud’. And that obviously takes unity – a fractured church is a distracted church, preoccupied with its own conflicts rather than its mission. But we are not called to create unity: simply to maintain it. Unity has been given to us as a result of all that Christ did at the cross, uniting us together, and uniting us with God, as we are now at peace with Him. But we do have a huge responsibility to steward that gift of unity as we maintain it – the Greek word speaks of zealous effort and care. When tensions arise in the church, we’re not to be casual about them, or just abandon the church at the first offence and wander off in search of something better – we’re to go about the hard work that is unitymaintenance. Humility is invariably required. Paul calls for a servant-like attitude, unpopular at that time. It was shown best, of course, by Jesus, which means we should treat others with respect, stifle our own pride, and do the hard work of patiently putting up with each other. Fellowship isn’t always fun – sometimes others irritate us beyond belief. Of course, someone in our church might be practising this attitude with us right now... Prayer: Being servant-like is a noble idea, Father. Help me to embrace that attitude when someone actually treats me like a servant. Amen.

TUES 04 MAR

ONE

READ Ephesians 4:4-10 Romans 12:3-5

FOCUS There is one body. There is one Spirit. You were appointed to one hope when you were chosen. There is one Lord. There is one faith and one baptism. Ephesians 4:4–5

It sounds like a fairytale statement – there is only one Church. When we look around the world, or perhaps even our own locality, we see plenty of evidence the opposite is true. Many churches are suspicious of others and prefer to be isolated and independent. Convinced the other churches in town are less biblical, stylistically compromised, or flawed in their views, they stay away from any attempts at conversation, let alone united acts of mission and service. And sometimes the largest, most ‘successful’ churches are the most guilty of this attitude. I know of large churches in the UK that refuse to promote any townwide Christian activity they don’t themselves initiate. It can even be difficult to get churches of the same denominational affiliation together – our people might like that different church more and decide to stay! Despite this sad picture, we’re reminded the New Testament speaks of but one Church – in fact Paul uses the word ‘one’ here seven times. That doesn’t mean we work out the details of our faith in the same way, either theologically or stylistically, or we abandon the distinctive denominational expressions or styles we are in. That would be impossible, and perhaps not even preferable. But it does mean that whenever we have the opportunity to talk together, pray together, stand together, witness together, and express the truth that ultimately the Church is one, then we should make it a priority to do so. Prayer: Lord, I pray today for all the churches in my area. Wherever Christ is preached, may they know blessing, direction, and health. Amen.

WED 05 MAR

APOSTLES, PROPHETS AND TEACHING

READ Ephesians 4:11-16 2 Timothy 4:1-5

FOCUS He is the One who gave some the gift to be apostles. He gave some the gift to be prophets. He gave some the gift of preaching the good news. Ephesians 4:11

There has been much debate through the years about whether apostles and prophets are still functioning today. Although there are no apostles like the original twelve, the ministry of pioneering church planting and taking the gospel to unreached areas of the world, often with accompanying supernatural signs and wonders, should continue today. There is no suggestion in Scripture that the offices of apostle and prophet have been discontinued, either because of the passing of time or because we now have the Bible. And there is a desperate need for us to hear from those who have a gift of listening to the voice of God and bringing a message from the Holy Spirit to the Church. But like any wonderful gifts, these ministries can be misused. Sometimes highpowered leaders who naturally inspire others have been hastily called ‘apostles’, even if they have displayed none of the qualities required. Then their opinions carry a greater weight which is a disaster when they get it wrong. Abuse is likely when any church refuses to take the responsibility of weighing what is said by anyone who prophesies. But because these great gifts are subject to abuse does not mean they should be discarded. Notice too that all the gifts Paul lists here are expressed, in different ways, through teaching. In some churches preaching and teaching are viewed as outmoded and unimportant. We need leaders with servant hearts, and authentic, biblical teaching in our churches. Prayer: Bless and strengthen those who lead and teach, Father, that they might lead with humility, and teach with clarity. Amen.

THUR 06 MAR

THE WAY WE WERE

READ Ephesians 4:17-24 Romans 1:18-32

FOCUS They can’t understand the truth. They are separated from the life of God. That is because they don’t know him. Ephesians 4:18

Lost. It’s a word that Christians have used in the past to describe those who are outside of Christ. And ‘lost’ is a Bible word. Jesus used it to describe the heartbeat of His mission, coming as He did to ‘seek and to save the lost’ (Luke 19:10). Wanting to be respectful of the spiritual journeys of others, some prefer to think of those who are not Christians as ‘seekers’ or even ‘pre-Christians’. But that might be a worrying trend. It’s not that we want to tag anybody in a pejorative way, and it certainly won’t help anyone come to faith if we just bluntly inform them that they are lost, we are among the found, and they need to join us, pronto. But we agree with Paul about the basic need of all of humanity: we have all been lost, in need of rescue. This is important because we can inch away from the urgency of the gospel, and begin to think that the good person we know, who is successful and moral, doesn’t really need God, or a vague spirituality is enough if it helps that person to get through life. Paul would have none of that, insisting all need Christ. But let’s remember that the lost are lost, not because they are not like us, or because they don’t come to our church, or because of their moral shortcomings: goodness is not limited to the found. We are called to the most vital work there is – to live and serve and speak in a way that offers a clear call to the lost to come home to the Christ who has come looking for them. Prayer: Lord, help me to live today in a way that clearly points the way to You, that those who are lost might discover what it means to be found by You. Amen. 65

FRI 07 MAR

NEW LIFE

READ Ephesians 4:25-28 Ephesians 2:1-10

FOCUS So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbour. We are all parts of one body. Ephesians 4:25

Recently I had the privilege of speaking at a service where five members of the Betel Community shared their stories.4 It was wonderful to hear of the transformation that had come through their experience of Jesus. It seemed almost impossible they had once been where they were, so total was the change in them. As Paul continues to describe the characteristics of the new humanity, he insists there will be a newness in our thinking and in our behaviour. Far from being sentenced to sameness, we are now called and empowered to live in a way that is a million miles from what we used to live in. To illustrate this, Paul gives some specific examples, all drawn from the context of relationships. Paul is not interested in us developing a private piety where we have holy aspirations for prayer, but we don’t pay our bills and are rude. A limited approach to becoming ‘more spiritual’ is not what he points us to, but rather he calls us to live a new life that profoundly affects the way we treat others. In this case, he outlines truth, anger management (notice that he doesn’t condemn all anger, but limits us to righteous anger), stealing, and deliberate idleness (although be careful with that verse – dumping it on someone who is unemployed, not because they don’t want to work, but because an opportunity isn’t available, would be insensitive and abusive). Have we continued in ‘old’ patterns of behaviour, rather than embracing God’s new life for us? Prayer: Empower me to live in the newness of life in and through Your Spirit today, living Christ. Amen.

www.betel.co.uk

WEEKEND 08 - 09 MAR

PASS THE KINDNESS AROUND

READ Ephesians 4:29-32 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19

As Paul continues to tell the Ephesians what new life in Christ looks like, he maintains his insistence that those who are being transformed by God’s Word and work in them will demonstrate that in their relationships. He turns to the way we speak, our sensitivity to each other’s needs, our ability to navigate conflict without brawling, and our determination to tell the truth about each other. Notice two key foundations for this behaviour change – first, in the middle of his encouragements, Paul warns us about grieving God’s Spirit. I’ve met Christians who insisted God’s Spirit was grieved because we sang the wrong worship song, or were not theologically in line with their particular interpretation. But Paul insists the Holy Spirit is more likely to be deeply saddened by the way that we treat or mistreat each other. And, in calling us to kindness and forgiveness, he points us to the kindness and forgiveness we have been shown: ‘Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done’ (Eph. 4:32). One the most beautiful words in Scripture to describe our God comes from the Old Testament: hesed, usually translated ‘loving kindness’. We have been blessed with kindness – let’s honour and please the Holy Spirit as we pass that grace around. It’s easier said than done, and may become a long journey towards forgiving, but as we ask for the power of the Spirit to help us, it can be done. To ponder: How has God shown His kindness to you? What does authentic kindness look like?

MON 10 MAR

IMITATION AND POWER

READ Ephesians 5:1-2 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

FOCUS You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him. Ephesians 5:1

The ‘WWJD’ bracelets that were once all the rage posed a very useful question: ‘What would Jesus do?’ Anything that makes us pause and think about His teaching and example is a good thing. And the idea of considering God’s behaviour as an example for us to follow is one that Paul uses here, pointing both to the Father’s heart in dearly loving us, and Christ’s self-sacrificial and servant attitude as He gave himself to the pain and death of the cross. But the ‘WWJD’ idea stops short of the vital truth that while Christianity involves imitating God, it also is about being empowered and transformed by God as we walk by faith with Him each day. Remember Paul speaks these words about imitation in the context of all he has already said to the Christian family in Ephesus – and so much of what has gone before has been about the work of the Holy Spirit. Imitation without the power for transformation can turn into slavery, as we desperately grit our teeth, look at the example of Jesus, and then try to copy Him. And there are limitations to the ‘WWJD’ approach. We are not entirely sure what Jesus would do in some situations, because we face choices and ethical dilemmas that were non-existent in His time. So ‘WWJD’ is a good place to start – but not a good place to finish. Let’s imitate the Father and the Son – in the power of the Spirit. As we’ll do that, we’ll be able to be models to others to imitate – an exciting and possibly intimidating thought! Prayer: Lord Jesus, transform me into Your likeness, that when people meet me, they catch a sense of what You are truly like. Amen.

TUES 11 MAR

STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT SEX

READ Ephesians 5:3-7 Ephesians 4:29

FOCUS There must not be any unclean speech or foolish talk or dirty jokes. All of them are out of place. Instead, you should give thanks. Ephesians 5:4

The man didn’t just walk out during my sermon, he made plenty of noise as he left. I was teaching on a portion of Scripture that taught clearly about sex. As he marched out, he yelled, ‘This is totally inappropriate talk for the house of God.’ He was wrong, however. Appropriate conversation about sex is demanded, because the Bible doesn’t flinch in addressing these sensitive issues. It’s important to remember this as we hear Paul warning about sexual immorality, and also about lewd sexual talk. Christians are sometimes accused of having a low view of sex, preferring not to talk about it, but the opposite is true. We view sexuality as such a gift of God, that it shouldn’t be cheapened with off-colour joking. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have clear conversations about sex. Two other cautions. First, let’s realise the church is the ideal context for sexual immorality to flourish. We tend to be affectionate with each other, spend a lot of time serving together, and frequently express love and affirmation. Let’s be cautious lest those wonderful elements of church life are hijacked by the temptation towards immorality. And secondly, I’ve noticed that married couples, in what they think is a spirit of openness, can talk with close friends about their sexual relationships in a way that can dishonour the privacy and intimacy of the bedroom. Let’s not be prudes – but let’s not be smutty jokers or indulge in unwise sharing either. Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the gift of my sexuality. May that area of my life be fully under Your control. Amen. 69

WED 12 MAR

PEOPLE OF THE LIGHT

READ Ephesians 5:8-14 Matthew 5:14-16

FOCUS At one time you were in the dark. But now you are in the light because of what the Lord has done. Live like children of the light. Ephesians 5:8

It was an old cliche that I was never comfortable with. When challenged about the inconsistencies of the church and Christians, we would mumble, ‘Don’t look at us – look at Jesus.’ But Jesus is currently invisible, and so ‘looking at Him’ is difficult, apart from reading about Him in Scripture, or hearing about His works. And the main problem is that God has called us to be a people of the light, living beacons who have a quality of life that points others to Christ. This has always been God’s intention – to have a ‘lighthouse people’ who shine together in a dark world, a working model of what life lived in harmony with God looks like. Sadly, Israel didn’t fulfill that commission, sinking into legalism and a sense of ethnic superiority. Now, in Christ, we are called to be a beacon people – the light of the world, an identity bestowed upon us by Jesus. It’s not enough, however, to embrace this truth as just part of our belief system: it must be worked out in our lives, so there’s exhortation here as well as encouragement, as Paul calls the Ephesians to have nothing to do with the works of darkness. That calls us to absolute diligence and clarity – to refuse to flirt or play with what we know is dark, and to run away from acts of darkness. That attitude shows our character, especially when no one but God is watching. And then, when others are watching, by God’s grace we can be lights who point to the one true light of life. Prayer: Help me to recognise the works of darkness and to run from them, Lord Jesus. Be my light, and make me a light for You. Amen.

THUR 13 MAR

CAREFUL

READ Ephesians 5:15-20 James 4:13-17

FOCUS So be very careful how you live. Do not live like people who aren’t wise. Live like people who are wise. Ephesians 5:15

Recently, I managed to shed around 30 pounds – I’m talking weight, not cash. I’d allowed my usual patterns of healthy eating and exercise to slip, and so the result was a tightness of clothing that reminded me I’d become careless. And so now, everything I eat is logged into a calorie-counting, nutritionevaluating app on my iPhone, and I’ve taken a more disciplined approach to exercise as well. I’ve replaced carelessness with carefulness. There’s nothing casual about the life of discipleship. We are not saved by our works, but that doesn’t mean we should not work hard at being intentional and disciplined about how we live. Specifically, Paul calls us to be careful how we use our time, and especially warns against excessive use of anything that can dull our attentiveness and nudge us into neglecting or abandoning our values, like abusing alcohol. Elsewhere in the New Testament we are encouraged to be alert, attentive, sober, and watchful. And instead of just ploughing ahead in making decisions that look and feel good, we are commanded to understand what God’s will is for our lives. James, writing in his blunt style, insists we shouldn’t just make plans, but should submit our unfolding lives to the will and purposes of God. All of this speaks of taking a focused, careful attitude towards each day, because yesterday’s good intentions mean little today. When it comes to progressing as a friend and follower of Jesus, there’s no such thing as cruise control. Prayer: Enable me to be intentional and disciplined in all my choices today, Lord. Amen.

FRI 14 MAR

SUBMIT

READ Ephesians 5:21-32 Galatians 5:13-15

FOCUS Follow the lead of one another because of your respect for Christ. Ephesians 5:21

GOING DEEPER

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The verses that we consider today have been the subject of endless debate, and also misuse. Zooming in on one part of the text, men have used these principles – out of context – to insist they can oppress their wives and children. There is nothing further from Paul’s mind, but Scripture can be twisted to make it say what we want it to say. Paul is offering words of liberation – radical words in a culture where women and children were marginalised. And remember the foundational statement for Paul’s teaching: we should all mutually submit to each other, not just for the sake of order and peace, but because we revere and love the Lord Jesus. Sadly, too many churches, friendships and families have been shattered because of a bullish attitude where people refuse to listen to any criticism, and quickly become entrenched in their own rightness. And the other key in this text is that in any situation where an attitude of submission is called for, a heart of Christ-like love is also demanded. After over four decades of ministry, I’ve come to the ironic conclusion that Christians can be among the least likely people to have a submissive heart. Being strong on truth, we can decide we are usually right. Confidence quickly leads to arrogance, and then an unteachable heart develops. But one of the signs we are still growing is the ability to admit we’re wrong. And that presents a question – when was the last time we conceded we were wrong? Prayer: As I grow in grace and knowledge of You, Lord, may I grow in humility and willingness to be submissive. Amen.

WEEKEND 15 - 16 MAR

OBEDIENT CHILDREN

READ Ephesians 6:1-3 Colossians 3:20

GOING DEEPER

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As Paul insists it is right for a child to obey their parents, we should remember this principle is not limited to the Christian ethic but has been a norm throughout history across all cultures. Paul is calling for a sense of order here; love is willing, not only to say ‘no’ but also to bring loving discipline to our children. We are called to be parents primarily, not pals who just allow destructive behaviour because we crave approval from our children. Let’s also remember that parents are not called to influence their children to be what they want them to be, but rather to fulfill God’s plan and destiny for their unique lives. Too many children have felt the crushing weight of parental ambition. As Paul points to blessing as a result of children honouring their parents, let’s realise he is not specifically promising prosperity and longevity to everyone that treats their parents properly, but he is speaking generally, teaching that security and health will flourish in a harmonious home. And there’s a challenge here too for those of us who have elderly parents, with the demands and challenges their frailty can bring. In our culture, and even our churches, elderly people can feel overlooked or deserted as their age is viewed as a negative, not with respect for the wisdom that they have accumulated and the faithfulness of their behaviour. Let’s honour our parents and elders, all the way through their final years. To ponder: In our culture, the elderly are not respected as they are in other cultures. Why?

MON 17 MAR

FOR PARENTS

READ Ephesians 6:4 Colossians 3:18

FOCUS Fathers, don’t make your children angry. Instead, train them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them. Ephesians 6:4

GOING DEEPER

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‘He’s just rebellious.’ That was the statement made across the dinner table, during an excruciating meal with a Christian family. The object of the criticism lowered his head in shame, and his face flushed red. His ‘crime’ was that he found the youth group boring. I knew the youth group – he wasn’t far wrong. I wondered if his faith had any chance of surviving such oppressive parenting. I look back on the tense meal with my own shame, because I should have spoken up more in his defence. As Paul insists that Christian parents should not make their children angry – the word means ‘goad’ or ‘provoke’ – we should remember that, once again, these were radical words in the culture of the day. Some believe the Roman father had absolute authority over his children; he ‘owned’ them in the same way that he owned slaves, and could mete out whatever discipline he chose, including the death penalty. Apparently, if he decided his child had behaved in a manner worthy of death, no one could question. Sometimes we think that Christian parents should be strict, but Paul is calling for the opposite, in his demand that children should be treated with love, respect, mercy and justice. While they lived in a society that gave them no rights, the Christian family gave them the fullest rights. Let’s be careful as parents that we don’t place unreasonable demands upon our children, and take care to explain the reasons for any restrictions that we place upon them. Prayer: Lord, save me from being demanding or exasperating, whatever the context of my relationships. Amen.

TUES 18 MAR

STRANGE ADVICE?

READ Ephesians 6:5-9 Colossians 4:1

FOCUS Slaves, obey your masters here on earth. Respect them and honor them with a heart that is true. Obey them just as you would obey Christ. Ephesians 6:5

‘I just believe the Bible.’ It’s a statement that sounds quite impressive, an indicator of a totally committed faith. But a person who says that might not only be foolish but also highly dangerous. The Bible contains some explosive comments and commands, and if they are not understood in context, then great damage could result, as church history proves. Too many tragedies have been perpetrated by Bible-waving zealots who did terrible things in the name of God. So it is with these verses. Some of those who resisted Wilberforce’s efforts to outlaw slavery used passages of Scripture like this one to prove slavery was endorsed and even commanded by God. But Paul was not endorsing slavery, he was speaking to a cultural situation – it’s estimated there were no less than 60 million slaves in the Roman empire. Slavery was an established, unchallenged social and economic system. But Paul brought radical advice, recognising slaves as full members of the Christian family, calling them to look upon their plight as an opportunity to serve God, and insisting slave owners showed restraint and care. In Paul’s time, the numbers of Christians in the world were few, and so a call to end slavery at that time would have meant futile chaos. The Christians didn’t have the clout to effect any change on this issue. But two lessons emerge here: slavery of all kinds is evil, and we should never pick random verses out of context to justify our actions. Prayer: As I explore Your word, help me to understand its context, lest I hurt and damage others by my misapplication of it. Amen. 75

WED 19 MAR

AT WAR

READ Ephesians 6:10-12 1 Peter 5:8-11

FOCUS Put on all of God’s armour. Then you can stand firm against the devil’s evil plans. Ephesians 6:11

In any battle, strategy is vital. The strategist will seek to exploit any weaknesses that the enemy has, hoping to crush him with the least effort and the greatest devastation. It’s important to realise there are dark powers which not only long for our downfall, but are plotting it. That shouldn’t lead us into obsessive paranoia, but it does call for us to be aware of our weaknesses and alert to where the enemy might be most likely to attack. Over the last decade I have been working in coaching, and one of the most important elements to the process that I am using is to consider the greatest risks to a person, the most likely obstacles that might prevent them from fulfilling their God-given life purpose. It’s been enlightening to see that many people are quite aware of their gifts and talents, but not as clear about where the chinks in their armour might be. It takes courage to look at our areas of vulnerability honestly, and then ensure that we take action to prevent ourselves from being susceptible to attack. Sometimes our strengths can be a clue, because our weaknesses might actually be components of our strengths – the confident person becomes independent and headstrong, the sensitive caring person is crushed by criticism, and so on. So, if the enemy was dreaming up a battle plan to undermine us today, what might it look like? What would his ‘smart missile’ be? Asking that question today might prepare us well for an onslaught tomorrow. Prayer: Mighty God, help me to be wise in spiritual warfare, understanding where my vulnerabilities might be. Empower me to stand firm. Amen. 76

THUR 20 MAR

THE EVIL DAY

READ Ephesians 6:13 James 4:1-7

FOCUS So put on all of God’s armour. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. Ephesians 6:13

We all have good days and bad days, and there are many days that can be filed under the heading of ‘not much happened’. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that we dash from one epic experience to another. But Paul insists that there are ‘evil days’. Commentators have debated the meaning of this phrase endlessly, because Paul doesn’t explain what he means by it. Some say it refers to a last terrible onslaught from Satan at the end of history, while others insist it refers to the current age, the time we live in now, prior to the consummation of the Kingdom of God when Jesus returns. While we can’t be sure Paul is saying there are some days when the battle seems harder than others, we all know there certainly are seasons like that. Kay and I have navigated our way through one of those times. When we sigh and say, ‘Whatever next?’, and feel we are overwhelmed by the challenges and the seemingly effective strikes from the enemy, we sense perhaps we are under pressure from our foe, who is a cunning strategist. But grace is not just for the good days, when the sun is shining: God is with us and wants to equip us when the battle is at its fiercest. Perhaps today feels evil, and we can see no end to it. May we know that, as we use the ‘armour’ God has provided for us, we can stand firm. God is faithful, not just when life is a playground, but when it is being lived on a battlefield, in the middle of a raging conflict. Prayer: When all is well, and when all is in turmoil, may I stand firm in You, victorious Christ. Amen.

FRI 21 MAR

LIVE THE TRUTH

READ Ephesians 6:14 John 8:31-47

FOCUS So stand firm. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Ephesians 6:14

In Paul’s day, a warrior’s belt would be hidden under his outer clothing. It would hold his tunic together and his sword would be attached to it. About six inches wide, the belt also helped brace the back for the strenuous actions of active close combat. A fastened belt meant the soldier was on duty – a slackened belt indicated he was relaxing. We need the belt of truth to be fastened – all the time. And as Paul points us to the importance of the truth, two principles emerge: scripture is truth, and Jesus is the truth. When we bring our hearts and minds to the ‘straight edge’ of Scripture, bad ideas are confronted, and we are corrected. I worry about the biblical illiteracy of so many Christians. As I have said before, if you are a regular reader of Life with Lucas, I’m grateful. But these notes are not enough. Hopefully, they can be a helpful addition to your biblical diet, but they shouldn’t be all that you read when it comes to growing in your understanding of Scripture. And then many commentators suggest that Paul is calling not just for us to know the truth, but to embody truthfulness itself. We should be people of integrity, who refuse shadowy behaviour and hypocrisy, and live with nothing to hide – people of the light. When we think about spiritual warfare and realise that the devil is the father of lies, so we see that being true, authentic people, armed with the truth, is highly effective in the war that is raging. Prayer: Lord, lead and guide me into Your truth, that truth and authenticity might be the hallmarks of my life. Amen.

WEEKEND 22 - 23 MAR

RIGHTEOUS

READ Ephesians 6:14-15 Luke 4:1-13

In ancient close combat, protection for the heart and lungs was obviously vital, and so the breastplate was an important part of the soldier’s equipment. As Paul encourages us to go into battle ‘with the breastplate of righteousness on our chests’, we could think he is just calling us to live rightly. But for Paul in his writings, righteousness is usually not so much about how we live for God, but rather what God has done for us in Christ. Through Jesus, we have been made righteous in God’s sight. Only as we live in the good of that truth will we be able to stand in battle, because Satan’s primary weapon is not temptation, but condemnation. He is the accuser (the word devil means slanderer) who wants to smother us with shame. In the wilderness, Satan accused Jesus first, trying to undermine his identity (‘if you are the Son of God’), before then unleashing temptation (‘turn these stones to bread’). As John Stott says, ‘a right relationship with God through Christ... is a strong breastplate to protect us against Satanic accusations.’5 But then those made righteous will live righteously! There are also a few occasions when Paul speaks of righteousness as a descriptor of holy behaviour (Eph. 4:2, 5:9). We can’t make ourselves righteous before God – that has been done for us. But then as a result of that work, we are called to live rightly. The amazing grace of God not only rescues us but prompts and empowers us to live transformed lives. To ponder: What is the difference between the conviction that comes from God, and the condemnation of the enemy?

John R W Stott, God’s new society: the message of Ephesians, (IVP, 1979), p279.

MON 24 MAR

PEACE WITH GOD

READ Ephesians 6:15 Isaiah 52:7-10

FOCUS Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace. Ephesians 6:15

I have a friend who is a barefoot runner. He has abandoned running shoes, and even the thin protective slip-ons that some ‘bare foot’ runners use as a layer of protection. He is about to run a half marathon – on a route that includes some very flinty tracks, with absolutely nothing to protect the soles of his feet. He insists this is the way we were designed to run. I think he’s probably right but will still be praying that he avoids sharp stones. In battle, the Roman soldier wore leather sandals, giving him sure-footedness in the quick moves called for in sword fighting. So what do the shoes represent? Again, there are two possibilities. One is the truth that we have peace with God through Jesus. Once again, we begin with what God has done for us rather than what we do for God. We stand firm in the knowledge that we don’t have to convince the Lord to be with us – through Jesus, we are on His side. We are also called to live in the good of that peace, and to announce it, like heralds declaring hostilities have ended. The gospel is good news. The Christian message is the announcement that all has been done to enable everyone to walk in harmony with God. Isaiah prophesied that the bringers of good news would have ‘beautiful feet’; we have the privilege, having experienced peace with God, to invite others into that relationship. God is not at war with us today. Let’s live in the sure knowledge of that, and let’s invite others to discover peacetime too. Prayer: Settle my heart with this truth: I have peace with You, Lord. Enable me to pass the news on: peace with God is on offer, through Christ. Amen.

TUES 25 MAR

FAITH

READ Ephesians 6:16 1 John 5:1-4

FOCUS Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all of the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

Imagine how terrifying it would be to advance on a battlefield with a sky thick with flaming arrows. If one hits you, there would be sudden, unbearable pain, and the need for swift action. Everything has changed in a second. Perhaps, like me, you've experienced those bewildering moments where darts pierce your mind. Without warning, we’re mugged by a flash of doubt. Suddenly our faith seems ludicrous, or our minds are flooded with despair, lust, or rage. Without overstating the enemy's activities, surely some of these are the fiery darts that Paul alludes to. What should we do? Paul calls us, not to fret, but to trust, to engage our faith, and determine to cling tight to God. Just as a soldier would deflect and douse the darts with a watersoaked, leather-clad shield that was about four foot in length, so we are challenged, not to be passive in the face of attack, but to haul our faith into action. And we’re not to be intimidated or terrified – Paul speaks of the shield as being effective to extinguish all the darts that the devil fires. Roman soldiers also developed a system where they could crouch and lock their shields together, forming a mobile shelter that arrows couldn’t penetrate. There is strength in togetherness that we don’t have when we’re alone. Church matters, not just to nourish us or allow us to worship, but to strengthen us when the going gets tough. In community and alone, we have a shield. Let’s pick it up and use it. Prayer: Increase my faith, Lord, that I might be found strong in the midst of the fiercest attack. Amen.

WED 26 MAR

A HELMET AND A SWORD

READ Ephesians 6:17 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

FOCUS Put on the helmet of salvation. And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s word Ephesians 6:17

The Roman helmet was very heavy and could protect the head from very significant blows. Paul uses the imagery of a helmet in two ways. In Ephesians, he uses the analogy of a helmet as a symbol for salvation: we have been rescued and saved, by the finished work of Christ. Our salvation is the basis of our confidence. The helmet protects the head, which houses the brain, the command centre that controls every part of our body. We see we need to rest fully in the rescue operation God has done. If the enemy can undermine our assurance, then we will be defeated very quickly. Again, as we think about the battle that Jesus fought in the wilderness, we realise Satan tried first to undermine His confidence in His own identity with the sneering enquiry, ‘If you are the Son of God’. We don’t go into battle in order to win God’s favour – His favour is already upon us – and so we go into battle to win as we stand strong in His love. But in Thessalonians, Paul points to the future aspect of salvation; we are saved, forever, and so much of the saving work of God has yet to be revealed. For the Christian, there is nothing uncertain about the word ‘hope’ – it speaks of a wonderful future secure in Christ. Then Paul describes the only offensive weapon in the armour – the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. We’re not called to feed, reflect, apply and declare Scripture just so we can add to our bank of information, but to enable us to stand firm in our salvation. Prayer: Today, Lord, I affirm that I am saved by grace and armed with the sword of truth. Amen.

THUR 27 MAR

ALL KINDS OF PRAYER

READ Ephesians 6:18-20 Romans 8:26-27

FOCUS At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all of God’s people. Ephesians 6:18

Most Christians are intimidated by the word ‘prayer’ and feel guilty whenever it is mentioned. I wonder if our difficulties are partly caused by a limited understanding of what prayer is. We can take a narrow view, that ‘real’ prayer means adopting a specific posture, like kneeling down, and spending a certain amount of time in concentrated intercession. But Paul’s encouragement to pray ‘on all occasions with all kinds of requests’ points us to express our prayers in many different ways. We can breathe five-second prayers of thanks or offer gratitude as we walk through the day. We might choose to pause every hour for a minute of quiet reflection, or shoot ‘prayer arrows’, asking God for help with our challenges. We can sit and talk with friends in the spirit of prayer, realising that it’s not necessary then to repeat everything we’ve already said, sandwiched between ‘Dear Lord’ and ‘Amen’, as if God wasn’t listening earlier. And I think we can offer much of our thinking to God as prayer, as we wrestle with issues of faith and doctrine, or ponder the needs of the world. As we pray, we are not alone: the Holy Spirit is able to help us. I have friends who keep prayer lists – people they have committed to pray for each day. As Paul urgently requests prayerful support from his friends in Ephesus, we see he so valued and needed their prayers. However we do it, let’s know that prayer isn’t boring – but sometimes the way we approach it is. Prayer: Lord, teach me to pray with creativity and diversity. Holy Spirit, help me. Amen.

FRI 28 MAR

TELL ME MORE

READ Ephesians 6:21-24 Colossians 4:7-9

FOCUS Tychicus is a dear brother... He will tell you everything about me. Then you will know how I am and what I am doing. Ephesians 6:21

Speaking at a large church recently, I met up with the leader, whom I had not seen for a couple of years. Over the course of an otherwise delightful weekend, he told me numerous stories about his travels, his writing, his ever-expanding ministry. I came away from the time thoroughly updated about his life, health, and achievements, but then I realised that he had not asked me a single question about how I was doing and what I was involved in. I’m sad to say this is not an isolated incident. Sometimes we can be so preoccupied with pursuing our God-given calling that we forget to show any real interest in the lives of others. What begins as passion and focus can turn into ugly self-obsession. As he concludes his letter, Paul was able to let his friends in Ephesus know Tychicus was on his way, and this faithful servant of God would update them with news of what Paul was doing. Evidently some of the Ephesians were discouraged because Paul was in prison, and so he was keen to let them have some personal news. And they were obviously interested in his welfare – that’s why, as we saw yesterday, he was able to request their ongoing prayer support, because he knew that they loved him and were concerned about his life. One of the greatest gifts we can offer others is the simple statement, ‘Tell me more.’ As we genuinely show real interest in their story, their progress, and their challenges, we let them know we truly love and value them. Prayer: Save me, Lord, from being so preoccupied with what You are doing in and through me, that I fail to show genuine interest in others. Amen.

WEEKEND 29 - 30 MARCH

LOVE IS WHAT MATTERS

As Paul ends this epic letter, he once again calls the Ephesian believers to what really matters above everything – to love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that will never die (Eph. 6:24). And as we look at the words of Jesus to the church at Ephesus, delivered through the apostle John, we see that it’s possible to have so much right – but then neglect what is most important. There was so much to commend the Ephesian church – they had worked hard, endured persecution, insisted on theological correctness, and refused to allow false teachers to influence the health of the church. With all that they had going for them, it’s surprising the Ephesian church was the only one of the seven churches of Revelation to be threatened with total extinction. What was missing? Love. As Jesus, through John, rebukes them for the loss of their ‘first love’, let’s remember what Paul taught them about loving God and loving people – the two are intertwined. That’s the heartbeat of the first and greatest commandment – to love God with everything we have, and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

READ Ephesians 6:21-24 Revelation 2:1-7

Let’s be careful not to drift into a busy Christianity that is ultimately Christless, because our love for Jesus and each other fades as we dash around doing things in His name, hoping that He will bless them. Let’s walk with Jesus daily, and, with His grace helping us, walk in love for Him and others... all the way home. To ponder: What does it mean to love God?

MON 31 MAR

A DAY IN THE RUINS

READ Revelation 2:1-7 2 Timothy 4:6-8 FOCUS Those who have ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. I will allow those who overcome to eat from the tree of life in God’s paradise. Revelation 2:7

GOING DEEPER

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I’d like to end our time in the city of Ephesus by going back to where I began – with my visit on that sweltering hot day. Here a thriving city once stood – now it’s deserted except for tourists. There was a large, successful church, which had exercised huge influence beyond the city limits – but that too has gone. It’s a sobering thought that strength and success today don’t guarantee anything for tomorrow. Just as Paul called the Ephesians to diligence on the spiritual battlefield, so we are called to live carefully, walking with God by faith, using the lifeline of prayer, remembering we are new creations in Christ. And perhaps we need to reaffirm that our future is brilliant. As Jesus reminds the Ephesians of paradise ahead, we need to reaffirm our conviction that although Christianity is about bringing the rule of the kingdom of God to the earth right now, and that life is not just a waiting room for eternity, nevertheless we are a people of forever – eternity is already in flight, and we with it. Thousands of years ago, believers in Christ sought to serve him in a hostile environment. We face very different challenges – but the battle still rages. And the same power of God is available to enable us to stand firm. Wherever you are, and whatever you face, my prayer for you is this: may you stand firm, as one who loves Jesus and His people, in the knowledge that you are loved by Jesus and His people. God bless you. Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep me in the knowledge of Your love, and in loving others, that my life might be fruitful and faithful, until You come or call. Amen.

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NEXT TIME: ON THE RUN

In our next edition of Life with Lucas, we will consider the life and prayers of a man who spent a lot of his time running. David, the shepherd boy who became such a great king, was an anointed, flawed, passionate and stumbling soul whose walk with God is captured in the many Psalms that he penned. So join us for ‘On the run’ – and be strengthened for your own journey with Jesus!

It was a city where the apostle Paul spent two years in pastoral leadership. And in writing to the church there, Paul shared some of the most breathtaking news about God’s eternal plan for planet earth and all who live on it! Join Jeff as we visit the city, consider what God did there, and then reflect on all that He has in store for His world – and the part that we have to play in that amazing plan!

Life with Lucas is written by Jeff Lucas, an international author, speaker, broadcaster and coach. Married to Kay, his passion is to equip the Church with biblical, practical Bible teaching, marked by vulnerability and humour. Jeff is a best-selling author of 34 books, and broadcasts weekly on Premier Christian Radio. JeffLucasUK

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