Ephesians 5:1-14

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

"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..."

"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..."

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.

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 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....."

"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,..."

"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..."

"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 5:3 -- 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.