the abide office that we use is actually about 50 yards from a commuter train track so about every
15 minutes we have to stop any conversation we're having for about 30 seconds to wait for the train
to pass the first day we moved in we all thought this is never going to work but you know what now
we don't even notice it pause for a moment and consider whether there are things in your life
that should give you pause that you don't even notice anymore what sin is in your life that you
don't even recognize as sin anymore join me today as we meditate reflect and pray on cleaning up our
lives from Ephesians chapter 5 verses 3 & 4 but first join me in a time of opening prayer holy
God you are perfect and good you cannot even be in the presence of evil which is why you had to
send your son to make us clean in your presence you are a God of grace and you not only forgive
us but you transform us and give us the power to conquer the sin in our lives help me Lord
in my weakness and it's in Jesus name I pray amen so this is a tough one today often when
we have to take a hard look at our own sin we can't sit still so find a spot that makes you
comfortable and just take this time to breathe in and close your eyes as you exhale just find
a moment of stillness before the Lord is there anything already blocking your heart
from answering some hard questions today take this time now as a time of confession before the Lord
our God is a God of grace a God of mercy and a God of peace he is in the business
of renewal he will renew your heart and a life if you ask him so as you listen to our verse
today ask him to specifically speak into your life and listen for a word or phrase
or a thought that you can apply to your life as I read from Ephesians chapter 5 verses 3
through 4 let there be no sexual immorality impurity or greed among you such sins have
no place among God's people obscene stories foolish talk coarse jokes these are not for
you instead let there be thankfulness to God I know that's a tough verse so what stood out
to you what is pricking at your heart from that passage tell God about it right now
God doesn't just want us to follow rules for rules sake he wants our lives to be
pure and blameless and righteous because he knows that is the way to the fullest best
life so ask him now to give you a desire for righteousness a desire for his way
with your eyes still closed listen again as I read from Ephesians chapter five verses three through
four from the amplified version but immorality sexual vice and all impurity of lustful rich
wasteful living or greediness must not even be named among you as is fitting and proper among
saints and gods consecrated people let there be no filthiness obscenity indecency nor foolish
and sinful and silly or corrupt talk nor coarse jesting which are not fitting or becoming but
instead voice your thankfulness to God what did you hear this time did anything new stand out
or did you hear anything more clearly reflect on that idea and let your reflection be your prayer
God is very serious about obedience to him in fact the very next verse in Ephesians chapter
5 says that anyone who walks in the way of sin has no inheritance in the kingdom of God in other
words God does not recognize those that identify with evil as his children at all so check yourself
you cannot lose your salvation but if you are a believer in Jesus do others see his light in
you are you living in a way that is fitting as a representative of God hotter this in prayer
because we live on earth and are human we all have things we are working on or
battling remember now that God is grace our verse says that we should use our
words to lift our voices and Thanksgiving so let's do that spend time now to thank
God for His forgiveness his mercy and His grace in your life and do that now
listen one and final time as I read and you reflect on Ephesians chapter 5 verses 3 & 4
let there be no sexual immorality impurity or greed among you such sins have no place
among God's people obscene stories foolish talk and coarse jokes these are not for
you instead let there be thankfulness to God so who do you want to be what do you
want people to say about the way you impact them dream and pray about that for a moment
sin can really get in the way of the impact that we have on other's lives what is getting in the
way of you becoming the person that you want to be do not think about the things you want to
accomplish but the character traits you want to be known for and let this reflection be your prayer
now let's have a little deeper time of confession God already knows what you struggle with but he
wants you to talk to him about it tell him right now what temptations always seem to
find you or what habits and demeanors you want most to get rid of and pray this to him now
now ask God to help you the next time you come up against these temptations ask him to give you
a very clear way out and to give you the courage and determination to take the way of righteousness
pray with me now in closing from Ephesians chapter 5 dear cleansing God I so thank you for the spirit
that now exists to guide me into the light and into the ways that are pleasing to you spirit
shine light into my darkest corners so that sexual immorality and all moral impurity all indecent
offensive behavior or greed is not even hinted at in my life removing even a speck of this behavior
is proper among Saints for as believers our way of life whether in public or in private reflects the
validity of our faith let there be no filthiness rumor gossip obscene or vulgar joking in my life
because such things are not appropriate in my walk with you instead let me speak constantly
of my thankfulness to you and it is in Jesus name I pray amen as you open your eyes softly begin to
come out of that stillness think of one way you can tackle temptation today can you simply avoid
your temptation if not commit to saying a short prayer for courage and determination when you
come up against that temptation today whisper to him often today Lord God have mercy on me a sinner
and remember God is a God of power he is already conquered sin he is already shown you mercy the
power to conquer your temptation is already within you through his spirit so be strong in Christ
today and I hope you will pray and meditate with us again tomorrow or any time here on abide you