Ephesians 5

"Dear Father, Help me to be the good husband that you want me to be. Help me to love my wife even as Christ loves his church, being willing to give..."

How strong can love grow? Ann Voskamp writes about how much she loves her husband and why.

"Dear Beloved, In yesterday's note, I urged you to display your Father's righteous character and gracious compassion. Today, I apply that principle..."

"Dear Father, Fill me with your heavenly wisdom, which involves alertness to problems and opportunities, avoidance of addictions, fullness of your..."

What happened last weekend felt hopeless and dark. But this weekend says it wasn’t. Jordan Harrell captures the reality of the good times and challenging times in a marriage and what God is up to in all of it if we will keep on loving each other.

Who's really in control here? Joe Beam writs about controlling personalities and talks specifically about a former decorated army officer being controlled and how she escaped and kept her marriage together.

"Dear Father, Help me speak to my spouse, my family, your church, and the world about you and your grace. Let my heart and my mouth overflow with the...."

Are you living under the influence? Phil Ware continues his SpiritFire focus on the Holy Spirit, this week looking at what it means to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit......"

"Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..."

"Dear Father, Help me to be careful about how I live. May I behave not as an unwise person but as a wise one. Help me make the most of every..."

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit......"

"Dear Precious Disciple, Paul beautifully described the Father's grace in the first part of his letter to the Ephesians. He emphasized that the..."

David danced with all his might amid the reverence and honor given to God as the ark, the representation of God's power and presence, returned to his people. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins lead us into worship in song and the Word to experience, proclaim and rejoice in the majesty, goodness, and grace of our God who is powerful and present among us.

"Dear Child of Glory, The world is filled with many beautiful and precious people. Unfortunately, so many of them miss their greatest opportunities......"

Are you listening? Phil Ware continues his series on the Holy Spirit focusing on listening to the Spirit's voice and how we hear God and Jesus and the Spirit in our daily life.

"Dear Father, Don't let me be deceived by the empty words of worldly people. It is because of these things that your wrath will come upon the sons of...."

"Dear Father, Keep me from talking about or thinking about illicit sex and pornography and covetousness, since you require that your holy people avoid..."

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and...."

"Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to..."

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

"Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for..."

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy."

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He..."

"Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the....."

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:25-26 -- 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:19-20 -- Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:1-2 -- Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:15-16 -- Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. No matter what evil spirits are present in this life, we know that God has given us a spirit that is stronger than all others. The message of God to this world is that God’s Holy Spirit is the only spirit worth celebrating, even on Halloween.

Who would want to invite this mess home? If we don't wall pornography off at the source in our lives, then we end up just inviting it home.

"Dear Child of God, You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. Your prayers are not ignored. My coming is assured. My salvation for you is closer...."

How has the church been able to endure and weather all of its storms? Rubel Shelly writes an article parallel to his book and emphasizes that somehow Jesus and his teaching survive all the weird things churches and church movements do.

How fast is your life? Change, and the days pass quickly and we grow old and time flies by, so we better use them to our advantage and God's glory.

Why do the grooms never get any of the press? Alan Smith reminds us that the church is the bride in this great wedding and that Jesus is the groom who deserves and should receive all the attention.

How can I cluster my time effectively? How do we cluster activities to allow us to focus our energies on doing God's will for our lives rather than spending all of our time in routine, daily, maintenance activities?

Where are you living right now? We spend much of our life between highs and lows, great times and bad times, and we must learn to use this time productively.

"Dear Father, Holy God, You have warned me that I can be sure of this: that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is covetous (idolatrous!) has....."

"Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

"Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."

"You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..."

"You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater,..."

"What a golden example Christ gives to his disciples! Few masters could venture to say, "If you would practise my teaching, imitate my life;" but as..."

"Dear Father, Keep me from being silent when your cause is threatened by evil people, even though I and my family and the people I care about may..."

"And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ..."

"Dear Father, Help me not to be deceived by empty but high-sounding words that cloak the intent of wickedness. I know that it is because of these..."

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:8 -- For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:15 -- Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, for the days are evil.

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:3 -- But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

Inspirational illustration of Ephesians 5:21 -- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wake up, o sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. - Ephesians 5:14

What seems important to you today? We get so flustered about little things, God teach us to know what is important.

Beyond sexual equality to the Jesus way of mutuality and sacrificial love. Phil Ware continues his series on how God values women and how precious they are to Him, His people, and the future of humankind, this week focusing on sexual intimacy and value.

So how much are you singing? A visit to the Phantom of the Opera on a cold night opens back wide the door of singing in a family's home.

He grasps those little moments so well. Pulls the kids close, chooses to go play frisbee or a game of Uno, just because. Melissa Troyer writes insightfully about her husband, Daniel, and his way of seizing small moments to be there for his family despite being in a very stressful time in grad school.

How restless are you when things run overtime? Russell Lawson shares a perspective of time as we close out the year.

What could be greater than the gift you've already bought them? The best gift that can be given is the gift of dedicated time to a family member.

Not an archaic form of subjugation but a divine and brilliant system for harmony, mutual enrichment, and voluntary submission! Lee Wilson goes back to the beginning of Scripture and as an experienced relationship coach, invites people to look at God's plan to make marriages thrive.

The old saying is that life happens fast, but can we live like that and enjoy its fullness? Tom Norvel reminds us that life happens quickly, fast, and if we are not careful, we can get so busy that we miss life in all its fullness, abundance, and joy.

Can we really learn to serve and bless each other? Joe Beam answers questions about a husband's desire and the need for lovemaking in marriage for the wife.

Do you know how to make a duck dance on an upsidedown pot? A duck that dances on a pot reveals the secret to shining our light and keeping our candle lit so that we can influence others.

The God who invented time is right here with me—in the room. Sometimes I have to take a deep breath to remember that. Ron Rose reminds us that the key to getting things done on our huge to-do list is to take it to God and then have Him help us to one thing, and do it right!

What kind of spiritual food are you eating? While pigging out on junk food may be bad, spiritual fast food and junk is worse!

Is there still time? We must use all the time we have and not waste it because we can make a difference in the time we are given.

So how long are you going to wait? Tom Norvell challenges us a week into the New Year to get about doing the work of God because it is time!

Do more than try to hang onto love. Let's God's love Hang on to you! Max Lucado reminds us to accept and receive the love God longs to give us.

Songs enable us to speak to God from all the different tangents, orbits, pressures, situations, and experiences in our lives. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online worship through words and music using YouTube videos inviting us to rejoice and sing to the LORD with joy and thanksgiving.

What really is the cause? Warren Baldwin encourages us to try harder in our marriage relationships to prevent divorce using the standard irreconcilable differences as our reason for splitting up a marriage.

What kind of slip are you expecting? Teresa Bell Kindred shares how her daughter missed the dreaded pink slip given to many teachers in Kentucky, but she also reminds us that God doesn't give pink slips.

What happens the other 51 weeks of the year? Phil Ware begins a 4 part November series on giving thanks just in time for the Thanksgiving season.

So what are you investing in? Rubel Shelly reminds us of the value of small increments of time used wisely to make an eternal difference by doing the small things in the lives of others that bless, encourage, and support them.

"Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. But because there is so much sexual..."

So can we learn to be more thankful? Rick Brown gives us insights on abstract prayers and the Rabbi's teaching that would help us be more thankful.

We can trust God's promises that the Spirit is at work in us! Phil Ware reminds us that God wants us to know that we have the Holy Spirit present and at work with power in our lives!

How can I start the trickle down effect in my family? Joe Beam shares the concept of trickle down parenting by demonstrating with a couple of parents of a baby and toddler.

Can you adjust to family life on the fly? Jenny Runkel reminds us of the rules of improv and shows us how to use them in our parenting!

What are we members of? The church isn't an organization; it's an organism. Membership isn't optional. If we are in Christ, in a saving relationship with him, then we are necessarily members of his body. Christians don't choose to belong to the church; if they belong to Christ,

Can you keep your balance in all the holiday mayhem? We can make the holidays a lot more cheery and bright if we will simply take a little time to plan and prepare for the holiday season.

If all we have is a once-a-year sentimental baby Jesus, then we don’t have the real Jesus and our souls remain parched and thirsty and our whole being longs for SOMEONE more! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to find Jesus' gift of the Holy Spirit the living water to end our soul-drought.

What would life be like without it? Music is indispensable to us and our lives would be much deprived without it!

So how do you treat your honey when she or he is ailin'? The years in marriage can sometimes mean that we take each other for granted; we mustn't let that happen.

If you could ask your fellow believers one thing, what would that be? Tom Norvell makes a plea to fellow believers to think before speaking and acting and try to line up both with our example of how Jesus spoke and acted toward others.

The power of grace, the gift of life in marriage. Phil Ware continues his series called 50 shades of grace that focuses on the intimacy between a husband and wife in marriage.

Are we awake or have we chosen to fall asleep? Russ Lawson talks about events that shocked us and awakened us from our lethargy, but reminds us that we often just sink back into our old habits.

Can mercy still take flight today? Jesus gave up everything for us to bring us to God; we can see that same spirit of sacrifice in the angels of mercy flights.

What will we do when the choice is ours and the moment comes? Phil Ware continues his series connected to The Story, this week from Chapter 3, focusing on Joseph and his temptation with Potiphar's wife.

What goes down on your calendar first this year? Rick Brown reminds us of what the big rocks, the big things, are in our lives to ourselves and to God.

What's up in the forest of your family trees? Max Lucado writes about Josiah and how he overcame the bad family heritage.

Really, do these actually work and can I actually do them? Joe Beam reminds us about how to be a good and effective husband who becomes awesome in the eyes of his wife.

Here is the secret to a long and happy marriage. The key to a long and happy marriage is deciding that Jesus will be the center of your relationship.

"Dear Beloved, Today's set of verses is long. In these verses, Paul spoke about the issue of sexual intimacy and marriage. He was applying what I..."

Can you think of a more noble vision or a more compelling mission for us, the Lord's people, than to be Jesus' bodily presence to our fractured and fragmented world? James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us through words and video to embrace God's mission for us as the bodily presence of Jesus in the world.

Here's one secret that needs to get out! Phil Ware shares his second message in the Holy Passion series about delight in sexual intimacy being one of God's primary purposes.

What's your favorite way to sing? Singing changes and so must we, but the bigger issue is that we sing!

Does God still speak and make his presence known in our lives or is he silent, leaving us to decipher our own way through our troubled world? Phil Ware continues his series on finding God's vision for our lives and living on mission for God.

Everyone in God's family is flawed just as we are, which makes loving each other hard at times. However, our love generously shared with each other is proof we are God's children in whom the Holy Spirit lives. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to love one another and put other's need above our own.

Why is it so easy to draw this line? Phil Ware reminds us that there should be no line between sacred and secular for followers of Jesus.