Ephesians 2 - 11.2.26
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 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!
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8 NIV
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. This story can be found in John 3. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a rule follower who believed that the only way to God was through 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 also, 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, by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You that I don’t need to earn my way into favor or relationship with You because You already accomplished that on the Cross. Please forgive me for the many times that I forget that. Please help me to just rest and plug into Your amazing grace and love. Without You, I can do nothing. May You alone be praised and honored You for all that You have done and continue to do in my life. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Joshua 2 - 10.30.26
Scripture: Joshua 2:8-13
8 “Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lordyour God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”
Observation
Rahab, one whose occupation would define her as sinful, shows great faith and professes that the spies’ God is the one true God. She recounted all God had done to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. She saved the spies’ lives and asked for her family to be saved in return. We do not know why the spies chose to hide out in her home. It was a place where people entered and left regularly. This is proof that we should not disqualify someone from coming to faith or how God could use them to help us on our mission.
Rahab spoke boldly. Her faith did save her and her family and she is listed in the lineage of Jesus. These spies showed much more faith than those who spied out the land 40 years earlier.
Application
I need to remember God loves and can redeem all people, even ones who seem to be the most lost. This is encouraging to remind me to not give up praying for my family. The works of God somehow had become known to Rahab. Testimonies of what God has done are powerful in turning hearts toward Him. I need to share God’s power and love so the lost can be drawn to him. I also need to keep my eyes open. God may use someone that I would never expect to bless me and provide what I need.
Prayer
Father God,
Your works are wonderful. There is no one whose heart cannot be opened by you to come to faith. Please help me do my part and not give up on those I am praying for. May I share testimonies freely of all you have done. When I am seeking you for answers to challenges I face, may I keep my eyes open to any method you choose to bring it about. You love and care for all. Your plans are marvelous. Thank you for all you do. Amen
- Cindy Howard
Joshua 1 - 10.29.26
SCRIPTURE
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
OBSERVATION
Joshua was chosen by God to lead the Israelites into the promised land because of His unswerving Faith. Two things happened before they possessed the land. Both things involved Trusting God. The Israelites had experienced God parting the waters at the Red Sea in order for them to cross over on dry land—and now—God would again look for their Trust to cross the Jordan River at the Spring Flood Stage. This increased its width from the normal hundred feet wide to a mile wide. This was scary. The Priests were to step in first. As soon as the Priests bearing the Ark put their feet in the river, the water miraculously—stopped flowing. The priests stood in the midst of the river bed on dry ground as the whole nation of Israel passed by. Once they had all crossed over and the priests walked to the shore—the flow of the river resumed.
The second test of faith came as the nation paused after crossing the river for all the men to submit to the painful surgery of circumcision. Israel was camped in enemy territory just a few miles from Jericho. And now—they were going to temporarily disable every male in the nation, including all of the soldiers in their army. How vulnerable do you think they felt? God wanted them to understand their Faith must be in Him alone and nothing else. They passed every test with flying colors and clearly God brought them unprecedented success in their first Victory by bringing the seemingly impenetrable walls of Jericho down—not by any military maneuver, but by walking around it, blowing a shofar, then shouting! Only, God!
God’s ways are clearly not our ways.
APPLICATION
Have you counted the Cost to Following Jesus?
What is HE asking you to Trust Him for?
What is HE asking you to step out in Faith and accomplish for His Kingdom?
Jesus said, “Count the Cost” (Luke 14:27-33)
In the book of Luke Jesus made it clear that when it comes to personal discipleship, HE is more interested in quality than quantity. In the manner of saving lost souls, HE wants His house to be filled (Luke 14:23);
but when it comes to personal discipleship
HE wants only those who are willing to pay the price.
A disciple is a disciplined follower who trusts, obeys, and follows.
One who eats, sleeps, lives, and absorbs the behaviors of his Rabbi. They follow SO closely that it is said, “the disciple should be covered in the dust of the Rabbi’s sandal’s”
Jesus said to be His Disciple—there will be a Cost. So consider it carefully. Jesus urges us to not take discipleship lightly.
What does it mean to “Carry the Cross”? It means daily identification with Christ in shame, suffering, and surrender to God’s will. It means death to self, to our own plans and ambitions, and a willingness to serve Christ as He directs (John 12:23-28). It can also mean physical torture, and physical death for our faith in Jesus. “Carry the Cross” symbolizes our surrender and willingness to GO whenever and wherever Jesus sends us. Simply put—Our life is not our own (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Jesus gave three parables to explain why HE makes such costly demands on His disciples; the man building the tower, the king fighting a war, and the salt losing its flavor. There is a beautiful illustration from Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on these three parables. Although Jesus clearly tells us that we are to count the cost before becoming His Disciple, in these three parables it is indicated that Jesus also must count the cost to determine whether we are the kind of material HE can use to “build His Church” and “Battle the Enemy”. Jesus cannot get the work done with halfhearted followers who are unwilling to pay the price. Who will be willing to Follow Jesus as His disciple—all the way—even to the Cross. Jesus has not asked our willingness for anything HE Himself has not freely given.
How many missionaries do we know who are currently paying the price? How many godly men and women have counted the cost and continue to do so everyday. God has blessed them and used them powerfully to build His Kingdom. God is always looking for those willing to be used to build His Kingdom.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world..” (Matthew 24:14)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore Go and make disciples of all nations..” (Matthew 28:18-19 NIV)
“Tina, Have I not commanded you,
[insert your name], Have I not commanded you,
Be strong and courageous. Do Not be afraid OR discouraged. REMEMBER—
The LORD Your God WILL Be WITH You WHEREVER—you—GO.”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
I pray I am of some value to You. I am weak and need to hear this verse Today to Be Strong and Courageous. To not Be Afraid or Discouraged. And to Remember that the God of Heaven’s Armies is With me wherever I Go. There are people here in Santa Clarita who desperately need to hear Your Good News. Set me on fire and loosen the chains that bind me to be free to Go and do Your Will. By Your Power and Authority Nothing is Impossible. Here I am Lord Jesus. Send Me. In Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka