“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.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31).

Lord, this is a strong list.  It is also a good list, but You know there are many places where, although I agree, I also fall short.  Help me amidst what I know to be right, to do what is right.  Continue to strengthen in me a willing heart that puts away those things which I ought not do so that I can continue along that path of becoming like Christ.  In You alone, Lord, is all hope.  Only in You can I do these things.

Lord, You know where I fall short.  You know where I need to grow and learn.  Continue to grow in me a heart that is like Yours.  Continue to teach me how to forgive as I have been forgiven.  In all things, lead me along the narrow path so that I would humbly follow where You lead.  Reshape who I am in order that I might become whom You are making me to be.  Lead me, O Lord, and give me the willingness to follow You alone.

Lord Jesus, You are the example of the godly life.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go and help me go that way.  Through all that comes my way this day, help me see that in You alone is the ability to do good which You give me through grace.  Guide me, that in Your Holy Spirit, I would humbly walk with You this day and be shaped to be a little more in Your likeness.  Guide me, Lord, according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

You have been given the Spirit of God who is in you and leading you.  Do not grieve the One who is in you, for He is there to guide you in all holiness.  Do not again join your members with what is unholy but live into the truth of eternity.  Listen to the Holy Spirit and be guided in all of Your ways.  The One who has redeemed you has not left you as an orphan, but He has given you the ability to do all such good works as He has prepared for you to walk in.

Lord, help me to see clearly in order to do what is right.  You are always with me and you even know what I am thinking.  Guide me, Lord, in the right way that I would hold fast to the truth and not grieve You by behaving like the old Adam.  I know I need grace but let me not intentionally rely on grace by purposefully sinning.  Give me a heart that is sensitive and willing to always do what is right.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world so that I may have the abundant life that only comes through You.  That means that the old Adam must go and there can be no room for the wickedness that is in this world, to dwell in me.  Slay the old Adam so that I would be a suitable dwelling place for Your Holy Spirit.  Keep me close to You Lord so that I would continue on the right path.  Amen.

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

You are being heard in more places than you think.  What comes out of your mouth?  Do you speak the good word of the Lord, or the language of this age?  Be aware of what you say and do.  Do not do this thinking it is what is needed in order to be saved, but do so because you love the Lord and do not want to give a wrong message that might cause others to stumble.  What person, who loves their beloved, does not want to shine the best light on the one they love?  Will you not do the same with your Lord and Savior?  Learn to love Him as He loves you.

Lord, You know my thoughts and words.  You know where I am so worldly that one could never tell that You are in me.  Cleanse my heart, mind, and mouth Lord so that I would speak of You as One whom I love.  You know what is needed and You know where I fall short.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may come to the place where I need to be.  In all things, let my eyes never be taken off  You.

Lord Jesus, You are the example of the godly life.  Guide me this day, O Lord, so that what comes across my lips in private as well as public is acceptable to You.  Let me bring You no shame, nor in any way defame You, but instead speak praises of You, my Savior.  Through all that comes to me this day, remind me of my need for You, Your grace, and the salvation You make possible by Your shed blood.  Amen.

“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).

Old habits, born of the old Adam and encouraged by the ways of this world, are to be broken through the grace of  Christ.  Do not think that you do not have habits that are not pitted against the Lord’s commandments.  You do.  Ask the Lord to admonish you where you need to be admonished.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.  Be freed from all that would bind you to this world and live in God’s grace.

Lord, create in me a clean heart.  Create in me a willingness to confess all that is in my heart.  Then give me the desire to always do what is right no matter the cost.  It is easier to justify sin than to confess, repent, and do things the way they need to be done.  It may be easier in this world, but ultimately, it is much easier to humbly come to You, ask forgiveness, and do things as You would have me do them.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set us free from sin, death, and the devil.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may humbly walk in the way of truth.  Guide me to confess all that I need to confess.  Guide me to work hard and diligently in order that I may become like You.  In all things, lead me where I need to be led.  Help me to see through the storm clouds of this age to become what You are making of me for eternity.  Amen.

“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

The Lord has given us the gift of emotions.  You feel what you feel.  Feel what you are feeling, only do not use this as an opportunity for sin.  Give the devil no excuse to tempt and do not give into the temptations of those who have no hope.  You have been redeemed and the price paid was the life of Christ.  Do not treat this with anything other than respect for the Lord and disdain for the devil.

Lord, guide me in how to go about feeling without sinning.  Lead me in the way of life so that I would humbly come into Your presence and feel the full range of my emotions and yet, not sin.  I need You to teach me how to do this.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me in this way so that I would now and always be guided by You, my Savior, in how best to live this life which You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You displayed emotion and lived life in this age without sinning.  By Your example and in the grace You give, teach me how to live into a life that feels all the emotions You have created without giving into the tricks of the devil.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may follow You.  Teach me so that I may learn.  Guide me this day in the way You know I need to go.  Amen.

“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).

Be honest.  How difficult it is in all things to simply be truthful.  We each have shadows of things we hide, deflect, or keep from coming into the light.  How freeing it is when one simply tells the truth.  Be one of those and learn to be discreet, yet honest.  We each are connected, one to the other, so do no harm through what is false.  Instead, build up and be forthright in all things.

Lord, You are teaching each one of us the ways of heaven.  Help me live into the life for which I am being called.  There is a time and place for all things, but what is false and wrong must be replaced with what is true and right.  Guard my lips, mind, and thoughts so that I would learn how to speak and think what is right and true.  Lead me Lord in the way I need to go now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You are truth and You have spoken truth.  You have told us all things we need to know so that we might follow You in the way of true life.  Lead me this day, O Lord, that I would walk humbly with You, my Lord and Savior.  Guide me along the right path I need to walk and teach me what it means to be honest in all things.  In You, Lord, is the only hope any of us have.  Help me always live in You.  Amen.