Word@Work Eph65 - Ephesians 5:19-20
Published: Mon, 01/05/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE
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. (NIV)
The opposite to the foolishness that Paul has just written about (cf Eph 5:15-18) is the wisdom of honouring the Lord. Of, course, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to do so, but if we are filled with the Spirit (cf Eph 5:18) then we should be wanting to overflow with verbal praise of all the good things the Lord has done for us. The first place to do that is with another Christian, in the family, at church or at work. Have you ever considered how much of your conversation time with other believers is focussed on the Lord and all His goodness?
The Bible provides us with so many examples of praise; we could do well by using some in our conversation. They might be the focus of a Bible devotional when meeting a fellow Christian at work for a few minutes to pray. Christian songs based on Bible truth can also be very helpful, in the car or to (quietly!) fill the mind when doing repetitive work. Many people find that a song can keep truth close to their heart during the day. Some workplace Christian Fellowships find that singing is difficult; so it is good to stock up heart with praise prompts through recorded music and Christian radio.
One we start to get praise coming out of our mouths, we cannot stay in whining or moaning mode for long - your colleagues will certainly appreciate the change! So will God!! Whatever the difficulties at work, our God is still supreme and as we praise Him for that fact, we can also ask in faith that He will make a path through whatever sea of confusion we face. A heart that is singing God's praise knows that there is nothing He has not allowed for our good, and so we can give thanks that God is at work in it all. It is a great way to start a new year, new week, new day, new job, new prayer.
Prayer: Father God. How I thank You for all You have done for me in Christ and in my circumstances. Thank you for music and song that can help me to remember important truth from Your Word. Help me to be thankful to you for everything so that I can be glad, this week, that you are in control. To the praise of Your Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
The opposite to the foolishness that Paul has just written about (cf Eph 5:15-18) is the wisdom of honouring the Lord. Of, course, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to do so, but if we are filled with the Spirit (cf Eph 5:18) then we should be wanting to overflow with verbal praise of all the good things the Lord has done for us. The first place to do that is with another Christian, in the family, at church or at work. Have you ever considered how much of your conversation time with other believers is focussed on the Lord and all His goodness?
The Bible provides us with so many examples of praise; we could do well by using some in our conversation. They might be the focus of a Bible devotional when meeting a fellow Christian at work for a few minutes to pray. Christian songs based on Bible truth can also be very helpful, in the car or to (quietly!) fill the mind when doing repetitive work. Many people find that a song can keep truth close to their heart during the day. Some workplace Christian Fellowships find that singing is difficult; so it is good to stock up heart with praise prompts through recorded music and Christian radio.
One we start to get praise coming out of our mouths, we cannot stay in whining or moaning mode for long - your colleagues will certainly appreciate the change! So will God!! Whatever the difficulties at work, our God is still supreme and as we praise Him for that fact, we can also ask in faith that He will make a path through whatever sea of confusion we face. A heart that is singing God's praise knows that there is nothing He has not allowed for our good, and so we can give thanks that God is at work in it all. It is a great way to start a new year, new week, new day, new job, new prayer.
Prayer: Father God. How I thank You for all You have done for me in Christ and in my circumstances. Thank you for music and song that can help me to remember important truth from Your Word. Help me to be thankful to you for everything so that I can be glad, this week, that you are in control. To the praise of Your Name. Amen.
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