Ephesians: I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
One of the things that interested me when I was gathering the verses was the idea that there were similarities in the verses. Words jumped out as in today's verses; wilderness, deceitful spirits, and demons.
On this day of April Fools, we are reminded that there are deceitful spirits, ones that tempt and take advantage of us. We need to be aware that demons exist and stand up to them through faith in our God.
Recently, I listed something for sale, and almost immediately I had an inquiry. This person wanted me to send it right away after taking more photos of the item. I asked where it should be sent and about payment. One strange exchange after another, I told them I would not send the item because it was a scam they were trying to pull.
Their question, "Why you think that?"
My reply was, "Nothing good will ever come to you if you scam people."
I didn't get a reply. Rarely have I ever scolded a scammer, but it felt good to recognize the demon and scold it.
The wilderness itself is not bad. In fact, Lent is the time for us to enter into the wilderness as Christ did, and face our demons as Christ did.
So on the day of fools, let us be aware of the demons that try to trip us up and instead look to Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and "lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called." May we keep to our path, bless those in our lives past, present, and future, and be true to our Lord, as we find our way through the wilderness to Easter.
April 1
Matthew: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mark: Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
Luke: Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,
John: Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John”
Acts: While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them,
Romans: What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?
1 Corinthians: Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.
2 Corinthians: Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Galatians: My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property;
Ephesians: I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Philippians: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Colossians: Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
1 Thessalonians: Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more.
1 Timothy: Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 Timothy: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:
Hebrews: Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
James: Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you?
1 Peter: Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin),
1 John: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Revelation: After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
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