Jesus Take the Wheel - Spiritual Driving - Eph. 5:15-16

 

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!