Scripture for August 26

Ephesians 6:10-20 New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassadorin chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Royal Military College of Canada memorial window to Ian Sutherland Brown Sir Lancelot whole armour of God.

Scripture for August 19

Ephesians 5:15-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

St. Paul

15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Bartolomeo Montagna - EwEzl9zb0cohpg at Google Cultural Institute 

Scripture for August 12

Creation of Adam, fresco painted by Michelangelo (1475-1564),
Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512) Rome, Vatican

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Rules for the New Life

25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.[b] 5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us[c] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 4:29 Other ancient authorities read building up faith
2. Ephesians 4:32 Other ancient authorities read us
3. Ephesians 5:2 Other ancient authorities read you

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Feasting on the Word: Transforming Grace

This Adult class meets Sunday, 9:30-10:15 AM in Fellowship Hall to discuss this passage from the Lectionary.  Join us March 11.

Ephesians 2:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

From Death to Life

2 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ[a]—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 2:5 Other ancient authorities read in Christ

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Read the Gospels in 40 Days: Matthew 26-27

Grace

A

fir

stood

proudly

in the wood

outlined by sky.

A child cried, "Look,

The stars are all caught

in 

it.

God has made us

a Christmas tree!

Ephesians 2:8-10New International Version (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Reprinted from St. Mark Presbyterian's 1985 booklet "Thoughts on Advent"

Do More Than Just Pretend

A small sign hangs in a co-worker’s cubicle, “Just Pretend You Care.” Of course, there’s a story behind it.

One day a supervisor came into our office and my staff expressed concern for some other employees in our division who were dealing with a situation that seemed unfair to us. We were hoping for a solution or some advice on how to help them. If there was nothing that person could do, then at least we thought s/he would express sympathy for the employees’ situation. We hoped for too much.

After the supervisor left, one co-worker lamented, “Is it too much for us to expect them to care? Just pretend you care! How difficult can that be?”

The other co-worker typed up the phrase, “Just Pretend You Care,” and placed it so everyone who walks in our office sees it. People often ask us about it and our simplified version of the story has become rather amusing. In reality though, it is quite sad. We were willing to settle for false concern in place of apathy. This is not a healthy work environment. When we work in close quarters with a variety of different people we need to respect each other and yes, genuinely care about them.

During this Lenten season take time to show a loving concern for those around you. It could be listening sympathetically to their problems, thanking them for their assistance, helping them in time of need, simply greeting them with a smile, giving them a compliment, or asking about their day. Do more than just pretend you care.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

Printed with permission of Julie N for St. Mark Presbyterian's 2015 Lenten Devotional.