Ephesians 2 - 4.19.23
Scripture
Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Observation
Paul is addressing the Ephesian church by basically reiterating the Gospel message to them. He starts with their sin condition, their conversion by God’s grace through Jesus Christ and then the privileges that “both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ.” (Reference: biblestudytools.com)
Grace is a FREE gift. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor towards us. It is a free gift (without conditions) that is available to all who would receive it. If we could earn this gift, then we would have a reason to boast about it, but because we cannot work for His favor, the only One we are able to boast about is Jesus Christ!
Application
We do good works AFTER receiving His grace and Holy Spirit, not before. We are only as strong as our relationship with Jesus is.
I am reminded of the story of Jesus and Nicodemus. The story can be found in John 3 of the Bible. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a rule follower who believed that the only way to God was through good works, but Jesus explained to him about being born again. He had to be born again by “water and the Spirit” and explained how God’s plan was to send His son to die to save the world from their sins. It had nothing to do with works, like Nicodemus was accustomed to. (The Apostle Paul, writer of Ephesians is very familiar with that way of living, as a former religious leader and upholder of the law.)
God’s heart is that we put relationship with Jesus before rules. The good works we do as Christ followers is a fruit of our faith relationship with Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray we would all live in the freedom and enjoyment of being in relationship with You first and allow the rest to follow. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Ephesians 1 - 4.18.23
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
OBSERVATION: We are so blessed to have been CHOSEN by God before the creation of the world! In love, He PREDESTINED us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace. We are blessed because we have been REDEEMED by the blood of Jesus; the forgiveness of our sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace - that He lavished on us!
APPLICATION: I heard the message of truth; the gospel of my salvation, and have believed, therefore, by faith, I have received God's grace and forgiveness, and I AM SAVED! God has given me EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ! He has lavished me with His love, presence, and power, and has opened the eyes of my heart to know the hope to which He has called me.
I once was lost, but now am found! Was blind, but now I see!
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for being such a good God! You have allowed me to experience Your love and Your power, and You have been so faithful to me! Thank You for all that I have received through Jesus. You have directed and carried out my salvation, and I pray as I rely on the power of the Holy Spirit that I will fulfill my role in the body of Christ to be used by You to build up and encourage the believers, and serve one another in love.
I love Paul's prayer, and I declare it over the body of Christ, and over our un-saved loved ones: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparable great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:17-19a).
- Robin Orefice
Psalm 42 - 4.17.23
Scripture
Psalms 42:11 NLT
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”
Observation
This psalm is written by the descendants of Korah. In this psalm, the psalmist expresses a sense of overwhelming grief. They are being attacked and mocked by their enemies, and their lives are in despair. They have a desperate longing for God. Their faith in God is the only thing that brings them hope. So, instead of choosing to let life’s circumstances bring them down, they choose to trust in God, praise Him, and remember His faithfulness.
Application
Praising God in the middle of life’s storms.
I once had a friend at work ask me if being a Christian means that I am exempt from experiencing life’s troubles. I quickly responded, “Of course not! Life’s troubles hit us all, (both Christians and non-Christians alike).” I also told him, “The main difference is how a each person responds to life’s struggles when it comes their way.”
You see, as a person who puts their faith in God, we have hope in any circumstance. We trust in a God who is Almighty. We trust in a God where nothing is impossible for Him to do. It’s just that sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that. HOW you may ask? Well by first reading His Word. Discover what great things God has done for His people throughout time. The God of Abraham, the God of Moses, and the God of David, is the very same God we serve. And that God is the same yesterday as He is today! The other thing we can do to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness and goodness, is to take time to reflect on our own lives and see what He has done. Count your blessings! Begin to praise Him in song. Worship Him through prayer. Begin to feel God’s Holy Spirit bring you peace and comfort. Try it and see for yourselves how our heart will change from a heart of worry, to a heart of worship, praise, and thanksgiving. 😊
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. You are so good to me. Forgive me for forgetting that sometimes. May I always remember to seek You daily no matter the circumstance. I choose to give You all the praise, glory, and honor no matter what! Why?! Because You deserve it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi