Read To Me Daily Semester 3ናሙና

1CHRONICLES 5:
In yesterday’s reading in 1st Chronicles, we heard of important ancestors of the tribes of Judah and Simeon. In Ezra’s time, I can imagine that it was important to figure out who was who and what their relationship was, as this would determine the redistribution of land to the exiles who were returning.

PROVERBS 15b:
Today we read the second half of Proverbs 15. I wish I was more like this proverb:

Pro. 15:23 NLT Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

EPHESIANS 5:
There is no change of topic as we begin chapter 5 of Ephesians today. Paul is still giving instructions about our new life in union with Christ. Chapter 4 ended with this:

Eph. 4:30 GNT And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.
32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.

Let’s pray.
Dear Lord Jesus, we need (spiritually speaking) to change these old clothes into new clothes. You have made us holy by giving us your holiness. So let us put on the new clothes You supply. This is not putting on a show. This is not being fake. It is instead being able to show on the outside what is already on the inside. Make our hearts completely new, and then let our outward life reflect uprightness and holiness. This will totally change the way we talk. It might even cause some of us to quit dishonest jobs. Lord, may we have the desire to never disappoint the Holy Spirit who lives in us and so push Him out of our lives. Holy Spirit, help us to get rid of bitterness, improper passions, anger, and hate. Help us to be forgiving of others and tender-hearted toward them. And also, Lord, give us spiritual gifts that will help others grow and cause us to become more and more like Christ.