Paul teaches us in chapter two about the power of submission. We have been told a lie that submission makes you inferior to the one you are submitting to and that submission makes you weak. The result, we always seems to want to prove a point that we are better than others. In the society, we have to prove that we are not small. Husbands and wives that should be working together, submitting to one another for the progress of their home start competing to prove who is the head. We have been told that submission puts you under. On the contrary, Christ shows us by his example of humbling himself to the point of dying a criminals death in obedience to his Father and for the sake of those he loved, that submission does not make you weak. Instead, he was given a name that is above every other name so that everything and everyone must or will bow to him. Paul says; "you must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 1:5. Submission does not make you inferior. Submission ultimately like Christ puts you in control. Let's not be afraid of being humble submitting to one another in the fear of God.

We begin reading a new book today, it's the epistle Paul wrote to the Philippians. One thing stands out throughout this letter, Paul's joy at connecting with them again. Even though Paul is writing at a time he was in prison, his joy for them was unmistakable. Let's also say the prayer Paul prayed for them today, Paul prayed; "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding." May our capacity for recognizing value in others, in giving to others in need, and forgiving when we are wronged, overflow in the name of Jesus. May our knowledge and understanding of God continue to grow, we will know him better everyday, we will love him more and more in Jesus name.

Spiritual battles are real and Paul acknowledges it here. The enemy that wants nothing but for us to fail are not physical, they might use people as vessel but ultimately, our fight is against them, not the vessels they are using. We do not fight spiritual battles with physical weapons, no, our weapons are spiritual, they are mighty in God for pulling down stronghold. Our spiritual weapons include; "stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

There are those who think Paul hated women and that was why he did not get married, what an error! There are also those who say that Paul, asking the woman to submit to her husband was intended to continue the culture of putting women under. That is so far from the truth. In today's devotional, I make an attempt at clarifying Paul's intentions. In the end, Paul, speaking in the context of marriage (not the relationship of men and women in general), says husband's and wife's relationship should be like the relationship between Christ and his Church. The Church submits to Christ not because Jesus lords it over the Church, instead, he suffered and sacrificed himself for us, that is why we submit to him. The one who is Lord first submitted, became a servant, washed our feet even and then died a shameful death, that is why we submit to him. Love and submission are simply different sides of the same coin. Love is submission, and submission is love. Love to a husband is submission and respect, while love to a wife is love and affection, together, they ensure that the home is united and whole. This is Paul's ultimate goal and the purpose of the discussion on the unity of Christ and his Church, it is to explain the unity that should exist between a husband and his wife.

There are three important lessons I pick from Ephesians chapter four; first, those whom we often call the five fold ministries of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastors and teachers, are not the only ministers in the New testament. Their duty is to actually prepare believers to do the work of ministry. Secondly, every believer, every church, every institution that declares God as Father, Jesus as son, and have faith in him, are baptised in his name, are all part of the body of Christ. And just like the different part of the body is unique, so the different parts of the body of Christ will be unique. Paul says, it is as one part does the function that they have been assigned that the body stays healthy. No one part of the body can be healthy on it's own. No one part has the entire revelation of who God is. Lastly, we are called to live as children of light in this dark world, we must allow the Holy Spirit animate us to the point where others can see Christ in us; "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32

Before saying two more prayers for the believers in Ephesians chapter three, Paul tells them about this mysterious plan of God for them; "And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus." Ephesians 3:6 For all who accept Jesus, Gentiles and Jews together make up the body of Christ. Gentiles and Jews together enjoy the promise of God's blessings. Next, Paul says these two prayers that I believe every Christian should pray for themselves regularly; "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he (God) will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." Ephesians 3:16. There is a kind of strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. When that power is at work within us, we will be able to do the works God has called us to. He also prays that; "And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his (God's) love is." Ephesians 3:18. When you come to comprehend the depth of God's love for you, that's what it means to mature, you understand your sonship and who, you truly are, in Christ.

The message of grace is so profound and Paul explains it right here in chapter two. He says that our salvation and calling from start to finish, including everything that comes after it is a product of grace. Grace implies that it is a gift, a free gift. It is given, not earned. Good works can't accomplish this one. Grace implies no one can take credit for it, there is no boasting, every accomplishment from start to finish is by what God did by himself. By grace, we are seated together with Christ in heavenly places. Through grace, we are God's masterpieces, created anew. We were created to do good works. By grace, we are now part of God's dwelling, his temples. We are God's houses, built on Christ. Halleluyah! When you realize how rich and immeasurable Jesus Christ accomplished on that cross for you, I think it is worth giving the Lord a shout of praise this morning. Halleluyah!!!

We begin studying the book of Ephesians today. Chapter one has some of the most powerful prayer points I ever prayed for myself as a young believer. In praying these three sets of prayers, I found out some amazing things began to happen to me; I understood my Bible whenever I read it. Bible reading were no longer boring times, they were captivating and inspiring. It felt like the words jump out at me. I also better understood my calling as a child of God and the power that was now at work in and through me. I understood what it meant to pray in the name of Jesus and that my words carried authority. I want to encourage you to say these prayers constantly for yourself. These are the prayers Paul prayed for the Ephesian church; "I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God." Ephesians 1: 17. Spiritual wisdom and insight or the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is what makes us understand God's word when we read it and helps us know God better. Secondly, spiritual wisdom and insight is what makes us grow. Next; "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called - his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance." Ephesians 1:18. With light comes comprehension and understanding. You want to know who you are now in Christ? This prayer is for you. Lastly, "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God's right hand in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 1:19-20. Paul is saying that believers have great power, it's the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Pray that you will understand the incredible power God invested in you and that you will know how to wield it and for what purpose.

"Don't be misled - you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." Galatians 6:7-8. The key word for me here has to be "LIVE";you either live to satisfy your own sinful nature or live to please the Spirit, which are you doing? We need to also see here that there is the place of consistency and habitually when we talk about living for. Paul's encouragement is, don't get tired of doing what is good, don't get tired of living to please the Spirit even if you make mistakes here and there. Walk in the Spirit, consistently sow toward following the Holy Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Spirit versus flesh, Spirit nature versus sinful nature; essentially the one that dominates you will determine what kind of Christian life you will have and how successful it is going to be. Your sinful nature or the flesh like some version calls it, wants to animate you just as much as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has his own desires, following them, will certainly place you in the centre of the will of God. The problem is, the flesh too has it's own desires, and they are usually opposed to the will of God and following them will leave your Christian walk grounded. "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions." Galatians 5:16-17. When the Holy Spirit is the one animating and leading you, when the Holy Spirit is the one you are listening to, the following fruits will show up in you; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. And when the flesh is the one leading and animating you, you will notice these kind of fruit in you; sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasure, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. However, never forget, "...Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure you stay free." Galatians 5:1. The Christian walk is a call to make these decisions everyday; "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13. Choose the Holy Spirit today.