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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for July 2025
August 1, 2025
Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ hath love us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Thought: The ultimate quality each Christian is to possess is love. Paul exhorts us to “walk in love.” Everywhere we go, we should pour out our love. This love isn’t an “oshy, goshy” emotion. This was made clear by the love Jesus Christ displayed to the world. He showed His love by giving “himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Love is more than feelings. Love acts in the best interest of another.
1 John 3:16
August 2, 2025
Ephesians 5:3, 4 – But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, not jesting which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Thought: There are certain behaviors in which a child of God is not to engage. Paul lists six of them in this verse: fornication, all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting. He exhorts his readers saying: “Let it not be once named among you.” Christians are supposed to be saints, that is, holy ones. The things Paul lists “are not convenient.” They are not fitting and proper for God’s children. Thanksgiving, however, is.
Romans 1:28-31
August 3, 2025
Ephesians 5:5 – For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Thought: God is a holy God. The place in which God dwells is holy. Nothing defiled is there. Nothing that is evil, immoral, or carnal will ever bring its darkness into the glorious light of the inheritance God has promised to the faithful. Paul lists four specific individuals who will not obtain the inheritance in the kingdom of Christ: the whoremonger, the unclean person, the covetous man, and the idolater. Specificity of the sin enables man to refrain therefrom.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
August 4, 2025
Ephesians 5:6 – Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Thought: Deception is one of the tools of Satan. He uses deception so much that He is called “the deceiver.” It is interesting that individuals can be deceived with “vain” words. The word “vain” means “empty and devoid of truth.” They are empty because they have no value to man except to condemn him. However, these vain words are presented to individuals as if they are the truth. Vain words are often bold and convincing. “Let no man deceive you!”
Jeremiah 29:8-9
August 5, 2025
Ephesians 5:7 – Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Thought: Paul had been discussing various sinful actions in which the Ephesians were not to engage. The children of wrath, that is, sinners, the enemies of God, engaged in those things. Paul, therefore, exhorts his readers not to be “partakers with them.” These Christians were not to be joint participants in the sinful activities of the children of wrath. The lifestyles of God’s people are supposed to be remarkably different than the world.
Numbers 16:26
August 6, 2025
Ephesians 5:8 – For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.
Thought: The Ephesians used to be individuals who walked in darkness. However, the light of the gospel of Christ shined in their hearts. This illumination brought cleansing to their lives. They became a reflection of Jesus who is the light of the world. The children of light have a certain way they are to walk. Pure, honest, gentle, hardworking, loving, kind, selfless, not soon angry, patient, and temperate are a few qualities that set them apart from darkness.
Titus 3:3-7
August 7, 2025
Ephesians 5:9 – (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth).
Thought: There are two kinds of fruit in this world. One is the fruit of the evil one. This fruit is evil, unrighteous, and deceptive. The other is the fruit of the Spirit. Paul describes it here with three words: goodness, righteousness, and truth. These are the opposite of the world. This is the fruit the Christian is supposed to be manifesting in his life. It is evidence that the Spirit is at work in the lives of the children of God. Dear Christian, bear fruit!
Galatians 5:22-23
August 8, 2025
Ephesians 5:10 – Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Thought: The life Christians live before others is extremely valuable. When we live good, righteous lives, we prove to others what is acceptable unto the Lord. We become epistles that other people can read and from which they can learn. We show them that this how to live a godly life that is pleasing to the Lord. What they might believe to be restrictive or difficult is revealed to be very positive. It might even become the kind of life they desire to live.
Romans 12:2
August 9, 2025
Ephesians 5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Thought: Here, Paul uses four interesting terms or phrases. The first is: “And have no fellowship.” Fellowship is sharing, communion, and participation.” The second is: “unfruitful.” This word means barren, producing no fruit.” The third is: “works of darkness.” Darkness is the realm of evil. This evil realm engages in works, but its fruit is worthless. The fourth is: “reprove.” Evil works are to be exposed and brought to shame.
Proverbs 4:14-15
August 10, 2025
Ephesians 5:12 – For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Thought: Shame is defined as a painful feeling of the conscience due to a person’s having done something dishonorable, immoral, or unlawful. The unfruitful works of darkness were involved in all types of dishonorable, immoral, and unlawful behaviors. Their actions were so vile that Paul told the Ephesians that “it is a shame” to even speak of the things they were doing. Only the pure and holy feel a sense of shame when wickedness is seen or spoken of.
Jeremiah 23:24
August 11, 2025
Ephesians 5:13 – But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Thought: Darkness does not want to be exposed for what it really is. It certainly does not want the consequences of its actions exposed. This is the very reason evil works are done in darkness and in secret. One of the purposes of light, however, is to expose. It manifests the form, the nature, the appearance, and the consequences of the works of darkness. The word “reproved” refers to this exposure. Exposure is one reason darkness hates the light.
John 3:20-21
August 12, 2025
Ephesians 5:14 – Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Thought: Many people are asleep when it comes to their spiritual man. These individuals move through life with no care for their soul. Like those who engage in physical sleep, these sleepers do not want to be disturbed. Paul goes against the grain and cries out to them, saying: “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead.” If these individuals continue to sleep, the spiritual consequences are severe. They desperately need the light of Christ.
Romans 13:11-12
August 13, 2025
Ephesians 5:15 – See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.
Thought: The Bible often refers to life as a walk. The reason is because individuals walked to carry out their daily activities in Bible times. Paul wanted the Christians to pay attention to their walk. The words “seen then” could be translated “beware.” The exhortation he gives is for them to walk circumspectly. This word means “accurately, exactly, and carefully.” Instead of behaving like fools, they needed to be wise, walking in harmony with God’s Word.
Proverbs 14:8
August 14, 2025
Ephesians 5:16 – Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Thought: Time is a very valuable commodity. Once time is spent, it is gone forever. Paul exhorted the Ephesians to “redeem the time.” The word “redeem” means “to purchase or to buy up.” His intent is to get these Christians to use their time in the most beneficial and productive ways. Paul knew “the days are evil.” Evil is constantly tempting the Christian to waste time on vain, sinful, unproductive things. Thus, the exhortation to redeem the time.
Psalm 90:12
August 15, 2025
Ephesians 5:17 – Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Thought: To use time to its greatest benefit requires a person to be wise. Wisdom comes through an understanding of the will of God. An all-wise God has revealed His mind to us. Every time man adheres to God’s Word, he proves himself to be a wise individual. Unfortunately, there are many who reject the Scriptures. These individuals are not wise. They build their lives upon weak, manmade foundations that will eventually crumble.
Matthew 7:24-27
August 16, 2025
Ephesians 5:18 – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
Thought: Paul contrasts two lifestyles in this verse. One is a life wherein a person drinks wine and is involved in excess. Paul forbids this lifestyle. The other is a lifestyle wherein a person is “filled with the Spirit.” This lifestyle involves one’s knowing the teachings of the Spirit found in the Word of God and adhering to those teachings. Paul urges this lifestyle. It is interesting that some use this verse to approve of social drinking. This isn’t Paul’s intent.
Colossians 3:16
August 17, 2025
Ephesians 5:19 – Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Thought: In this verse, Paul commands all church members to sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord. First, the singing that is to be done is a capella. No instruments are authorized by the apostle. Second, it was a mutual obligation. Each person was to be involved in the singing component of worship. Third, Paul specified the type of songs: “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Fourth, the voice and the heart were to be involved.
Colossians 3:16
August 18, 2025
Ephesians 5:20 -Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: Giving thanks should be a way of life for the Christian. He has been blessed both physically and spiritually by his heavenly Father. The blessings he enjoys are so abundant that they cannot be numbered. Yet, the Christian must be reminded to express gratitude to God the Father. Paul told the Ephesians to give thanks “always for all things.” “All things” doesn’t include just the good things of life. Struggles and challenges can also be a blessing.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
August 19, 2025
Ephesians 5:21 – Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Thought: There are certain relationships that demand that one Christians submits to another: wife to her husband, children to their parents, citizens to government, member to the shepherds of the local congregation, and slave to master. There are other occasions also when we can submit ourselves to our brothers and sisters in Christ. In matters of option, it is not always imperative that we get our way. We can submit to another in the fear of God.
1 Corinthians 16:15-16
August 20, 2025
Ephesians 5:22 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Thought: This is a verse that causes some to reject the Bible. Individuals believe this message is outdated and irrelevant today. The word that causes the problem is “submit.” The word means “to be subordinate, to obey, to be under the control of, to subject oneself, to yield to one’s advice and admonition.” The argument is that women are no longer slaves in relationships, but this isn’t slavery. It is order and a harmonious arrangement in the home,.
Titus 2:5
August 21, 2025
Ephesians 5:23 – For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body.
Thought: A fact that everyone understands is that every organization must have a system of authority in place. There must be leaders and followers. In the church, Christ is the head. He governs and guides the affairs of the body. In like manner, the home must have a system of authority. God has put the man as “the head of the wife.” Without this organizational structure, chaos ensues. Note, Paul says Jesus is the Savior of the body, the church.
1 Corinthians 11:3
August 22, 2025
Ephesians 5:24 – Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Thought: Paul continues to compare the relationship of the Christ and the church to the husband and wife. They are definitely parallels. Christ is the bridegroom. The church is the bride of Christ. There is an organizational structure between them. Christ is the head and the church is subject to the head. In like manner, the wife is to be subject to her husband. This subjection involves “every thing.” Such subjection is difficult in today’s society.
Proverbs 21:9
August 23, 2025
Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
Thought: Twice wives have been commanded to submit to their husbands. Some think that this indicates some type of dictatorial rule the husband has over the wife. This is not so. The husband is to love his wife. He is to show the same love to his wife that Christ has toward the church. This love is both selfless and sacrificial. In every decision he makes, the wife’s concerns are taken into account. His love and her submission go hand-in-hand.
Proverbs 5:18-19
August 24, 2025
Ephesians 5:26, 27 – That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it unto himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Thought: The church is composed of the saved. They were sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water by the word.” That washing happened in the waters of baptism (Acts 22:16). It was commanded by God’s Word (Acts 10:48). When the Lord returns, He will come for His church. It will be “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” It will be “holy and without blemish.” All should long to be members of that body.
Matthew 13:41-43
August 25, 2025
Ephesians 5:28, 29 – So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.
Thought: Paul exhorted husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Some could have countered that such a love is impossible. Paul, therefore, sets forth another type of love men should pattern as they seek to love their wives. They should love their wives “as their own bodies.” This is another high bar. However, one cannot say the bar is too high. If men would love their wives as they love themselves their relationships would grow stronger.
1 Samuel 1:8
August 26, 2025
Ephesians 5:30 – For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Thought: In this text, Paul intertwines the relationship that exists between Christ and the church with the relationship that exists between a husband and wife. Here, his attention is turned back upon Christ and the church. “We are members of his body.” The intimacy of that relationship and the oneness of it are found in the words, “of his flesh, and of his bones.” We are reminded of Adam’s comment about Eve when God brought her to him.
Genesis 2:23
August 27, 2025
Ephesians 5:31 – For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Thought: We find in this verse two actions being set forth. First, there is the leaving. When a man and woman form a home, they are to leave mom and dad. For some parents and children this is not easy to do. Sadly, a strong parental influence in a new home can cause many problems. Second, there is a cleaving. The husband and wife enter into a unique relationship. They are joined together and become one flesh. This is a holy union to God.
Genesis 2:24
August 28, 2025
Ephesians 5:32 – This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Thought: Paul does not want his readers to forget that his teachings about the husband and wife relationship go far beyond that physical relationship. They must also be applied to the relationship between Christ and His precious bride, the church. Christ is the head. The church is supposed to obediently to submit to her husband. However, she knows that the Christ loves her dearly and deeply. He displayed this love when He gave Himself for her.
Acts 20:28
August 29, 2025
Ephesians 5:33 – Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Thought: Paul is stressing two thoughts simultaneously in this text. He wants his readers to internalize both of them fully. The relationship between Christ and the church is important. However, the relationship shared between a husband and wife is also important. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. Too, he is to love her as he loves himself. On the other hand, the wife is to reverence her husband and loyally submit to him.
1 Peter 3:5-7
August 30, 2025
Ephesians 6:1 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Thought: Children are part of a healthy home. Paul sets forth the hierarchal structure of the home. The parents are the authority figures in the home. Children are to obey their parents. To obey does not mean to defy. To obey does not include being rebellious. The little phrase, “in the Lord,” does not refer to the parents being Christians. Children are to obey their parents in the manner prescribed by the Lord. Why? The answer is simple: “…this is right.”
Proverbs 6:20
August 31, 2025
Ephesians 6:2, 3 – Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Thought: Commandments often come with promises. The commandment to honor one’s father and mother comes with two, “that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Aren’t these the two most basic desires individuals have? They want life to be well. Too, they want to be able to live as long as possible. Honoring one’s father and mother will contribute to both desires. Honor should be given when parents are both young and old.
Matthew 15:3-6
Read devotionals for September 2025