This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred
seventy-fourth inspirational message dated Tuesday, December 15th, 2020. The
title of this message is “Jesus Take the Wheel - Spiritual Driving – Eph.
5:15-16”.
The first four words of the title are also the
name of the below inspirational song/video, “Jesus Take the Wheel” (with lyrics)
as performed by Christian /Country artist Carrie Underwood. This song was
first written and released in 2005. This song, “Jesus Take the Wheel” tells the
story of a young mother who is driving back home (to her parents) on Christmas
Eve – with her baby in the backseat. As she’s driving, she hits a patch of
black ice on the road and she recommits her life back to the Lord – when she
comes to a safe stop.
The below passage of scripture (that
accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of Ephesians - the fifteenth
and the sixteenth verses of the fifth chapter:
Ephesians 5:15-16
New International Version (NIV)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live – not
as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
For many years, I have enjoyed reading the
daily inspirational messages as provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries in their
publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".
I read the message for
the day (for August 26th, 2020) and found it to be so inspiring, memorable and
“thought-provoking”.
I wanted to share this message with you (see the below message). Our
Daily Bread Ministries has the website of:
www.odb.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of
daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. Please read and enjoy:
Spiritual Driving
Be very
careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Today's Scripture & Insight: Ephesians
5:8-20
I
don’t remember many specifics about my driver’s education class. But for some
reason, an acronym we learned, S-I-P-D-E, remains firmly lodged in my memory.
The
letters stood for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide,
and Execute, a process we were taught to practice
continually. We were to scan the road, identify hazards, predict what
the hazards might do, decide how we’d respond, and then, if
necessary, execute that plan. It was a strategy for being
intentional to avoid accidents.
I
wonder how that idea might translate to our spiritual lives. In Ephesians 5, Paul told Ephesian believers, “Be very
careful, then, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise” (v. 15). Paul knew
certain hazards could derail the Ephesians—old ways of living at odds with
their new life in Jesus (vv. 8, 10–11). So he instructed the growing
church to pay attention.
The
words translated “be very careful, then, how you live” literally mean “see how
you walk.” In other words, look around. Notice hazards, and avoid personal
pitfalls like drunkenness and wild living (v. 18). Instead, the apostle said,
we can seek to learn God’s will for our lives (v. 17), while, with fellow
believers, we sing to and give Him thanks (vv. 19–20).
No
matter what hazards we face—and even when we stumble—we can experience our new
life in Christ as we grow in dependence on His boundless power and grace.
Heavenly
Father, as I navigate the spiritual potholes on life’s road, thank You for
reminding me to look up to You for help.
By: Adam R. Holz (for Our Daily Bread)
Please enjoy the below
inspirational song/video, “Jesus Take the Wheel” (with lyrics) as performed by Christian
/Country artist Carrie Underwood.
(I do not own the rights to this
song).
(If you can’t see the below video: Please scroll down to the end – Under the rectangular box labeled “Home”
– please click “View web version”. You will automatically be taken to the top
of the message – please scroll down to the “end” of the message to view the
video. Please press play to enjoy the song/video).
BE BLESSED!
