New Years Resolution, Impact & Christian Walk

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  :D  How was your New Years and how's your new year going so far?  Did you make a new years resolution?  If so, how's it going so far?

We had a jammin' New Years Eve with the "Impact" free online concert-it was fun!  And, during that concert they showed a slogan that was really great (I think)..."Don't just make a resolution.  Make an impact."  How cool is that?!  It's definitely a goal of mine from now on.  :)

We also made a resolution to continue to be healthy (in all areas:  spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and in our relationships, habits, etc.) in 2014.  God knows that we need His help in all areas of our lives.  I have a bright and cheery outlook for this new year and I feel like it's going to be a great one, Lord willing.

Another part of the resolution and impact process, along with it being my Bible reading today, is the importance of the Christian walk.  It's such a blessing to be able to read the following words and to apply them to our lives.  I pray that God continues to strengthen all of our Christian walks and I pray that all of you have a blessed 2014.

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New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Ephesians 4:17-5:32

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Christian’s Walk

17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, [a]excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality [b]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn [c]Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old [d]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new [e]self, which [f]inthe likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do notgive the devil [g]an opportunity. 28 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 [h]one who has need. 29 Let no [i]unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification [j]according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [k]by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with allmalice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven [l]you.

Be Imitators of God

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved[m]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [n]as a fragrant aroma.

3 But immorality [o]or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among[p]saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no [q]immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes uponthe sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerlydarkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Lightconsists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 [r]trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even [s]expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are [t]exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.14 For this reason [u]it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

15 Therefore [v]be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 [w]making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, [x]for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to [y]one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [z]God, even the Father; 21 [aa]and be subject to one another in the [ab]fear of Christ.

Marriage Like Christ and the Church

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church [ac]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of Hisbody. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 4:18 Or alienated
2. Ephesians 4:19 Or greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity
3. Ephesians 4:20 I.e. the Messiah
4. Ephesians 4:22 Lit man
5. Ephesians 4:24 Lit man
6. Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
7. Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
8. Ephesians 4:28 Lit the one
9. Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
10. Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
11. Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
12. Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss read us
13. Ephesians 5:2 One early ms reads us
14. Ephesians 5:2 Lit for an odor of fragrance
15. Ephesians 5:3 Lit and all
16. Ephesians 5:3 Or holy ones
17. Ephesians 5:5 I.e. one who commits sexual immorality
18. Ephesians 5:10 Lit proving what
19. Ephesians 5:11 Or reprove
20. Ephesians 5:13 Or reproved
21. Ephesians 5:14 Or He
22. Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
23. Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time
24. Ephesians 5:18 Lit in which is
25. Ephesians 5:19 Or yourselves
26. Ephesians 5:20 Lit the God and Father
27. Ephesians 5:21 Lit being subject
28. Ephesians 5:21 Or reverence
29. Ephesians 5:27 Lit glorious

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