Daily Devotions · December 5
Reading for December 5
Read the whole Bible in a year, a few chapters a day.
Ephesians 5–6 · Psalm 119:1–80
Ephesians 5–6 · Psalm 119:1–80, Berean Standard Bible
Ephesians 5
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. 3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Test and prove what pleases the Lord. 11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. 14 So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her 26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. 30 For we are members of His body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 6
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should. 21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Psalm 119:1–80
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. 3 They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. 4 You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments. 7 I will praise You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. 10 With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law. 19 I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times. 21 You rebuke the arrogant—the cursed who stray from Your commandments. 22 Remove my scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies. 23 Though rulers sit and slander me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies are indeed my delight; they are my counselors. 25 My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word. 26 I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. 27 Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders. 28 My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove me from the path of deceit and graciously grant me Your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end. 34 Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You. 39 Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good. 40 How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness. 41 May Your loving devotion come to me, O LORD, Your salvation, according to Your promise. 42 Then I can answer him who taunts, for I trust in Your word. 43 Never take Your word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments. 44 I will always obey Your law, forever and ever. 45 And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed. 47 I delight in Your commandments because I love them. 48 I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes. 49 Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope. 50 This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life. 51 The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law. 52 I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD, and in them I find comfort. 53 Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law. 54 Your statutes are songs to me in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law. 56 This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts. 57 The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. 58 I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. 59 I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. 60 I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments. 61 Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments. 63 I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with Your loving devotion, O LORD; teach me Your statutes. 65 You are good to Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and insensitive, but I delight in Your law. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. 72 The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. 73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments. 74 May those who fear You see me and rejoice, for I have hoped in Your word. 75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 May Your loving devotion comfort me, I pray, according to Your promise to Your servant. 77 May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight. 78 May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie; I will meditate on Your precepts. 79 May those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies. 80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain.
How to SOAP
Grab a journal and a pen. Read the chapters above and watch for the verse that stops you. Then take it through four steps.
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Scripture
Write out the verse that stood out to you.
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Observation
What is it saying? Who is speaking, and to whom?
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Application
What does it mean for your life today? Be specific.
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Prayer
Talk to God about it. Ask Him to help you live it.
Your SOAP journal
Write your SOAP here. Tap any verse in the reading to add it to Scripture. Your journal saves on this device only, so no one else sees it.
Added to your journal. Go to journal
Why daily devotions?
Devotions are time set aside each day to read God's Word and let Him speak. The point isn't checking off chapters. It's meeting with Him.
Ten or fifteen minutes is enough to start. Pick a time and a place and keep the appointment. Mornings work well for a lot of us, before the phone and the day start talking.
Missed a day? Don't start over. Read today's chapters and keep going.