Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV)

Let us make the best use of our time given to us here on earth to shine the glory of Christ in the darkness, and doing His will for our lives. We have such a short time to expose His love and power to the world so let us use that time to the upmost potential moment by moment.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 ESV)

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, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 ESV)

Remember the unfathomable grace given to us through Jesus Christ and his power in forgiveness. Today let us challenge ourselves to let go of any grudge that may lead us to anger or harsh words and forgive as we have been forgiven. We must let it go and give it to God allowing no hindrance to the power and love of Jesus Christ in our testimony to speak to those around us.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32 ESV)

To know God, to know freedom from the tension and rigors of this world relies on our obedience to the word. Our lives are constantly under attack and if we keep ourselves not only in the word of God but living by it we will find the hope in the darkness, the reason to fear no more, and the power in the big picture of Gods love for us even in tough times. Let us not just read but surrender to His word.

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18-22 ESV)

A dwelling place for God. That is what we are being built into; a housing for the power and love of Jesus Christ to share with the world. We are so much more with Christ; not rendered worthless as the world may sometimes proclaim but CITIZENS with the heavenly saints above by the blood of Jesus.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV)

We on earth are united with that which is in heaven through the blood of Jesus Christ. We are forgiven, counted as righteous to the God of all things only through the sacrifice made by Jesus to become as one with our maker. That is a powerful truth and let us not lose wonder and awe in what Jesus has done for us for without him we can do nothing.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 ESV)

Let us strive to produce these fruits to carry the name of Jesus to all who encounter us. Let us be ripe for the picking exercising all these things on a moment by moment basis heeding to the Spirit of God which is our strength rather than the flesh of this world.