We are concluding our series about The Whole Armor of God as described by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6. Throughout the series we have been invited to read and study verses from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus as well as other scripture found in the Bible. We were also invited to memorize a verse or two each week. Memorizing scripture is a way to equip our minds with messages from the Lord that will speak to us during the challenges of life, as well as help to defend us against the attacks of the evil one (Matthew 4:1-11).

 

 

Invite the Lord to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Lord, help me to hear what you are saying to me today so that I respond according to your will.

 

Read John 1:1-4. These are the beginning verses of The Gospel According to John which connects with the creation story of Genesis 1. Each time you see “the Word” in the opening chapter of John’s gospel, you could replace it with “Jesus.” After reading the first few verses, skip down to read John 1:14, our memory verse for this final week of The Whole Armor of God series. Turn to the Old Testament and read Isaiah 2:3 as well. What stands out from the verses you read?

 

Pray in response to the One who dwelt among us in the form of a human being, yet he was fully God. He is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14b). Invite the Lord to “teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3).

 

*Our memory verse is from John 1:14.

 

 

Invite Jesus to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Jesus, help me to hear what you are saying to me today so that I respond according to your will.

 

Read Isaiah 11:1-5. These verses were written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, but they pointed towards the coming Messiah. Jesse was the father of King David. David was considered to be the greatest king of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus’ family lineage in regards to Joseph came from the bloodline of King David. You can read the genealogy list of Jesse, David, Joseph, and Jesus in Matthew 1. What do these verses from Isaiah 11 reveal about Jesus?

 

Pray in response to Jesus and pray for your family.

 

*Our memory verse is from John 1:14.

 

 

Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Spirit of the living God, help me to hear what you are saying to me today so that I can respond and live according to your will.

 

Read Isaiah 40:1-11, the prophet’s message that points towards Jesus. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, praying about all you will do or have already done, as well as for the people you’ll encounter or the ones you encountered. Trust that God’s Spirit will give you the words he wants you to say when it is time for you to share them.

 

*Our memory verse is from John 1:14.

 

 

Invite God to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Father in heaven, help me to hear what you are saying to me today through scripture and the whisper of your voice within me, so that I live according to your will.

 

Read Hebrews 4:12-16. What do these verses reveal about the word of God? Remember that “the word of God” is the messages the Lord shares and speaks to us through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, pastors and prophets, teachers and mentors, friends and family members, scripture, sermons, songs, books, poems, paintings, friends, nature/creation, etc.? Are you in need of mercy and grace? “Approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

 

Approach God’s throne of grace in prayer. Remember that “nothing” you think, say, or do is “hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13). Confess your sins. Hold firmly to your faith in Jesus. Trust in the Lord. Rely upon our heavenly Father. Receive the mercy the Lord is offering you and then share it with others. In God you’ll find the grace you need.

 

*Our memory verse is from John 1:14.

 

 

Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you today by praying the prayer below based on Revelation 2:7:

Spirit of the living God, help me to hear what you are saying to me today so that I can respond and live according to your will.

 

Read the apostle Paul’s message from Ephesians 5:8-20. What stands out to you from what you read?

 

Pray for God’s wisdom to guide you. Offer thanksgiving and praise to our God. Listen to a favorite hymn, read one of your favorite psalms, or listen to a worship song that helps you to praise God and be in tune with the Holy Spirit, then use some of the lyrics as your prayer. An example is the hymn, “This Little Light of Mine,” which could be a prayer:

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,

everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,

everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 

*Our memory verse is from John 1:14.

 

 

Invite the Lord to speak to you today by praying the prayer below:

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

 

Read the conclusion of Paul’s letter to Christians in Ephesus, Ephesians 6:10-24. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray in the Spirit for all of the Lord’s people within our congregation, throughout our nation, and across the globe (Ephesians 6:18). Pray that words will be given to us to “fearlessly make known” the gospel of Jesus (Ephesians 6:19). Pray for believers who are currently imprisoned.

 

*Our memory verse is from John 1:14.

 

You are strongly encouraged to observe the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to worship the Lord, rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. To learn more about the sabbath, read Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 16:31, Leviticus 23:3, and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. The questions below can be used to help with some time of reflection:

 

Where did I see, hear, or experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control this past week? That was God and the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in my life or within the lives of others.

 

Who needs to hear about my God moment sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.