“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

Many say they follow You, Lord.  Whether they really do or do not, I do not know.  The one I do know about is myself.  Lead me into deeper understanding so that I would not be foolish, but wise about the life You have given me through grace.  Guide me to live into the new life and leave behind the ways that lead to destruction.  Grant me wisdom to know the difference between the two.

Almighty Father, You have created us to worship You in spirit and truth.  Guide my heart so that it would always be close to You.  Lead me in the way of salvation in order that I would forever hold fast to the Word You have revealed.  Let me not be caught up in the foolishness of this world, but guided be by Your spirit into the way of everlasting life.  Teach me how to worship You, Lord.

Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Spirit to keep me from being foolish.  Help me to see the simple things that I can do to preserve the rule of grace in my life.  Let me not seek excuses to sin; but empower me to find ways to serve.  Let me not focus upon myself, but upon You, the One who makes all life possible.  Guide me in the way You would have me go and then lead me in that way.  Amen.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

How often do people go through the motions and go with the flow.  We are called to follow Christ, which means going against the flow of culture.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be renewed in your mind in Christ so that you would be conformed to His image.  He will give you the wisdom you need.  He will guide you in all of your ways.  Make the most of these things and come into His presence and purpose.

Lord, I do go along to get along.  I do not fight the good fight, but fight against what You have established.  Lord, keep me from doing things in the way of the world.  Let me see where I am not being conformed to You, but to this world.  Teach me not so much to be a contrarian, but to hold fast to what is noble and true.  Let me not be one who compromises the truth.  Help me to see these things clearly.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  You have come that by grace we would be saved from the wickedness of this world.  Let me not fall back into the pit but come into Your power and live life as it is meant to be lived.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth which You have established and grant wisdom so that I may discern which way to go each step of the way.  Amen.

“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.  For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:13-14).

In Jesus is light and that light is the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  Live your life as though the world was watching it.  This is not to feed your ego, as if you had something to boast about, but about learning how to faithful.  It is to both keep you humble and on the narrow path.  Live a life that is pleasing to the Lord at all times knowing that He indeed does know and see all.

Lord, let me neither be afraid, nor indifferent about these things.  Guide me in the way of salvation so that I would hold fast to the truth of Your presence and purpose.  You have come to save as many as believe so that we might have everlasting life.  Lead me in that life Lord so that I would humbly walk with You each and every day.  Guide my footsteps in order that I may be consistent in this gift of faith that You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You know all that is needed.  Before I was born, You provided for my salvation.  You have given me all that I need to walk a life of faith.  Guide me in that walk so that I may be consistent always, living out this faith which You have given me.  Help me to live in season and out of season according to Your Word.  In all things, may I always look to You, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Amen.

“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12).

Live your life such that if it were all filmed there would be nothing for which you would need to be ashamed.  This is not seeking to modify your behavior.   Too many promote that.  It is seeking for you to be like Christ in thought, word, and deed.  Let your life be an open book and do not hinder what the Holy Spirit is doing in You.  You have been called through Your baptism to become whom God is making you to be. Have an attitude of gratitude!

Lord, You know all.  You know what You are doing and You have given me eyes to see and ears to hear.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of life in order that I would walk with You and be led into the obedience to which I have been called.  Help me to be steadfast in the living of this life You have given me.  Guide me to live out my calling according to Your will.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that You would lead the way.  You are not only the example of the godly life, but by Your grace, the only way we can live into the godly life.  Lead me today, Lord Jesus, in the way I need to go.  Guide me by Your Spirit to become whom You are leading me to be so that I would be conformed to Your image.  Through all things, help me to be intentional about the kind of life I am living.  Amen.

“(For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:9).

Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  This is at the heart of learning obedience.  Even in this statement, there is grace, for it is in the pursuit that the reality comes.  Do not be one who tries to harmonize the wickedness of this world, nor apologize for the goodness of the Lord, but one who lives into the life for which you have been called through grace.  In Him alone is life and liberty.

Lord, You have said that if I abide in You, I will bear fruit.  Let me understand more fully the fruit You are causing to grow in me so that I would do nothing that hinders Your work in me.  The world hates You and therefore me, but You are greater.  Let Your will flourish in all I say and do in order that I would learn and do what is pleasing in Your sight.  Lord, be the One who is leading my life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to establish new management in my life.  Let me step into the background so that You would indeed be the One who leads me in all my ways.  Let me do as You would do.  Let me do as You would have me do.  Guide me to learn obedience and do those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Through all that happens, grow in me Your likeness, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:7-8)

The Word is the Light of the world, shining in the darkness.  Are you connected with Jesus?  Do you follow Him, or the world.  Scripture separates the two and they are distinct.  They are meant to be.  Too many seem to straddle a line between the Word and the world and want to harmonize them, Good and evil cannot be harmonized.  Either you are of this world or else in Christ, these are the two possibilities.

Lord, help me to see the distinction so that I may not try and live my life sitting on a fence.  Guide me according to Your purpose to live into the life to which You have called me in order that I may be guided by You and the life You have given me through grace.  Let me not be one who compromises the truth, but one who humbly comes to You as Yours, purchased by Your grace.

Lord Jesus, You have redeemed me at the cost of Your life.  You have told us that one who turns back after setting their hand to the plow is unworthy of salvation.  Keep me in the grace You have given me to become whom You are making me to be.  Lead me by Your Spirit so that I may now and always live into the life of faith set before me and not live as the world lives.  Amen.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).

Listen carefully.  Scripture has been written such that a child can easily understand it.  Listen and do not be deceived by the empty words of this age.  Jesus did not come to just dust you off and send you on your way.  He came to reshape you into His image.  You have been given the offer of becoming a child of God.  The question is: whether or not you will submit yourself to Him as He has laid down His life for you.

Lord, You know all things and You know all that is needed.  You know what I need and You know where I have lived being deceived.  Guide me through the pitfalls of this world so that I would not fall into them.  Let me take seriously the truth of salvation which You have given me.  Place me upon the path I need to go and let me never fall out of Your sight.  Keep me close to You always.

Lord Jesus, I need You, for without You, salvation is impossible.  Guide me this day in the way of grace so that I would hunger and thirst for You and what You give.  Lead me along the narrow way in order that I would forever be led by You.  Let me not fall into the snares of the wicked one, but always keep my eyes upon You so that the wrath we all deserve would be overcome by the grace You have purchased.  Amen.

“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5).

God is at work throughout the salvation He has given in Christ in order that we might be new creations, leaving behind the old sinful person.  How can we continue in sin and then say that we are right with the Lord?  This is what the deceiver would have us believe.  No!  Come then into the truth of salvation and life, into which for which you have been called through Christ.  In Him, have a new and more abundant life.

Lord, I am guilty of playing the game which You have seen people play age after age.  Lead me in the way of true life so that I would live into this life You have given me.  Guide me according to the plumb line of Your Word You have set in our midst in order that I would grow in the likeness of Christ my Savior.  You have given me the promise of inheriting eternal life, but that requires that I be Your child.  Help me in becoming what You intend me to be.

My Lord and Savior Jesus, without You it is hopeless.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth.  Help me now and always to see that in You alone is all hope and a future.  In Your mercy, lift me up out of the pit and guide me according to Your never-failing grace to see through the lies of the wicked one and forever leave behind the acts of the flesh.  Lift me up to become a child of the Most High!  Amen.

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:3-4).

The difficult part of the Christian life is entering seriously into the journey.  One sin, one piece of leaven, can leaven the whole thing.  How many fellowships fail because just a little bit of sin is tolerated.  It is not that we pretend we can be without sin; it is that we must call it out when we see it.  Calling it what it is, is the truth which brings freedom from it.  Stop pretending and start living the life of freedom to which we have been called.

Lord, You know what stands in the way.  You know where I have sin issues and do not call them out in myself.  Lead me, O Lord, and I will follow.  Show me Lord and then help me to confess my sins and repent.  Guide me Lord so that I may now and always abide in You, Your presence, Your purpose, and Your way.  Let me not pretend that I am anything other than a sinner saved by grace.

Holy Spirit, You search the depths of my heart and You know where I fall short.  Guide me,   Lord, so that I may walk in Your presence this day by faith.  Help me to be deliberate about the road I walk this day so that I may be guided by You into the life of Christ.  Let me not be hindered by those issues I have, but freely confess them, repent and live in the grace purchased by Christ.  Amen.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

A small child knows instinctively how to mimic their parent.  Many children play dress up, wearing adult clothing while pretending to be an adult.  It is a part of growing up.  Be an imitator of Christ.  No, this is not faking it.  It is taking on the role that is to be yours.  We are to mature in faith and be conformed to Christ – literally.  Therefore, be conformed to the image of Christ and become as the Lord is making you to be.

Lord, You know all that is needed.  I hesitate and fumble around.  Lead me into a deeper and stronger faith so that I would not live just a once-a-week faith, but daily grow more and more into the image of Christ my Savior.  Guide me, O Lord, to where I need to go this day so that I would not hold back; but become transformed into the life for which You gave up Your life so that I might live.

Lord Jesus, You are the example of the godly life.  More than that, You are the One to whom we are to be conformed.  Whatever it takes and however it is done, lead me to be conformed to You so that I may live into this new life that You have given through grace.  Let me learn how to give myself up so that You would be my all in all.  Help me each step of the way to become what You are making of me.  Amen.