Lessons for the Struggles of Life

1) The way we say thank you to God for our salvation is by living a holy life:

Eph.1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

2) The joy of hope and redemption is to be shared:

Eph.1:13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

3) Prayer must be with confidence in God’s power:

Eph. 1:15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

4) Pursuing good works is God’s purpose for our lives:

Eph.2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

5) If you’re going to fight, fight for unity!

Eph. 2:14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

6) The Gospel is to be shared with all kinds of people, without prejudice:

Eph. 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

7) True spiritual growth comes through prayer:

Eph. 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

8) Spiritual gifts are to be used for church growth and unity:

14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

9) Reflect new life in Christ:

Eph. 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

10) Reflect God’s love:

Eph. 5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. v.8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

11) Establish loving relationships through the power of the Holy Spirit:

Eph. 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; v.21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

12) Follow God’s instructions for the home and work:

Eph. 6:4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

13) Withstand Satan “our adversary” with God’s armory:

Eph. 6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.