Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

I think we all are weary and fed up with all of the perpetual fault-finding, arguing, and hatred spewing forth in our political scene and in the news, these past few months. But what about within our own Christian circles when we point fingers and make slanderous accusations within the body of Christ? Paul saw a problematic, on-going, and hurtful situation within the church at Ephesus and spent many sentences warning and calling out the sin of anger in all of the various forms it comes out as, such as a brooding, smoldering, grudge-filled attitudes. Forgiveness is in sharp contrast to bitterness and malice, and is a safeguard for our emotional stability and mental health. Intimacy and closeness with Jesus is all based on forgiveness (Matt. 6:14,15) and showing kindness.

In various dictionaries, I found that the word “bitterness” was defined as a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will. Smoldering resentfulness was listed. Webster’s dictionary stated the meaning of “bitterness” involved, “A state of extreme impiety or enmity to God; tending to draw persons to apostasy.” This shows how dangerous the sin of bitterness is as it heads the list of the other sins that Paul names in Ephe. 4:31-32.

“Wrath” has to do with rage and often has to do with the moment’s passion.

“Anger” starts out internally and pours out from internal hostility.

“Clamor” is strife out of control.

What about “slander?” Why doesn’t that sin get much attention in our Christian circles compared to the other sins? Is it because of having a lack of humility which turns into pride and arrogance? I think of what Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3:4, “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?” Paul was disappointed in the Corinthian Christians that were having divisive behavior and acting out of jealousy. Paul was clear that he was a servant of Christ, as was Apollos, as was Peter. “For we are God’s fellow workers.” The results are all left in God’s hand of grace and power, and God used all. The question to be answered is are you, am I, following Jesus above any other person?

Am I able to put Ephe. 4:31-32 into practice when I have been wronged or someone in my family has been unjustly treated? I have my responsibility and God has His divine responsibility. I take comfort in Romans 12:19 that declares, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the LORD.” I will admit there is an instance I am praying for God to do just that currently. I have given God a specific amount I would like to see Him do, to be received provisionally, from a wrongful financially hurting situation caused for a family member of mine that is just plain wrong.

Too often I feel “they” need to pay for what they have done (not just for this current situation), in any instance that causes me loss, pain, and heartache. Do you? But what is the command, the fact, stated in these verses to apply? What character traits of God are shown here? Looking in the mirror, am I reflecting those same characteristics? What do I need to remove from my thoughts, my heart, when what I have sincerely done, and is my best effort, is misinterpreted and criticized wrongly, or maybe not even acknowledged? Have my words or thoughts then hurt the Holy Spirit? Those are hard questions to answer.

As the Amplified Bible’s version of Ephesians 4:31-32 states, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor (perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding) and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice (all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence). Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted (compassionate, understanding), forgiving one another (readily and freely), just as God in Christ also forgave you.”

Listen to Danny Gokey’s song Love God, Love People, July 23, 2020, (lyrics).

Ephesians 4:30, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Paul has just talked about having control over our words coming out of our mouths (Ephe. 4:26-27). That they should be used to build others up in being helpful, and not be corrupt in spewing anger, and obscene language. Words hold power and should reflect the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us. Have you noticed that when the pressure is on, and we feel emotional stress, our life becomes unstable, and our real heart’s condition is often revealed? I would say that I have been guilty, when my trigger point is engaged, in not staying cool, calm, and collected. How about you?

When your tires on your car become unbalanced, you will feel vibrations in the steering wheel. You may have steering problems, uneven tire wear will occur, and the lousy fuel economy emerges because the unbalanced tires have put more pressure on the engine. When we have our lives so out of balance in not having consistent communion with our Heavenly Father and reading His Word, our life needs some repairs, rebalancing, and recalibration spiritually. There is not a curse word or thought that God hasn’t heard. There is nothing that shocks Him. “God is not grieved by how our speech, anger, or malice affects Him, but by how it affects us. He’s grieved not because He can’t handle our sin, but because it hinders Him from doing His work in, through, and for us.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, New Testament.

The Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter, helper, teacher, advocate, divine resident of our heart, has secured our salvation, and has guaranteed, certified, sealed, and confirmed, our promise of eternity with God. Our stamp of divine approval in Christ comes from the Holy Spirit and is God’s personal mark of our eternal redemption’s genuineness. Therefore, my motivation in keeping myself in proper balance with Christ needs to be to live out Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”

Grieving the Holy Spirit can lead to quenching (1 Thess. 5:19) and giving up power and blessings. The Holy Spirit is grieved when lying instead of speaking the truth occurs, stealing in any form, and speaking corruptly instead of uplifting others and having balanced graciousness, which draws others to His grace. We need to have righteous anger in injustices seen but not delve into unrighteousness. Love, joy, and peace are fruits of the Spirit produced in us when we obey Him. What violates the will of God grieves the Holy Spirit.

When your habits and attitudes fall out of line with not having the mind of Christ, realize you are being taunted by an opposing batter. Harboring unforgiveness, gossip, and/or nursing hurt feelings are not from the Holy Spirit (James 3:14-16).

The Message states Ephe. 4:30, this way, “Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.”

Listen to King & Country It’s Not Over Yet (Lyric Video)

Ephesians 4: 29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

With all of the hate talk reported in the news and the media, I wonder if Paul was alive today if he wouldn’t send out Tweets and Facebook posts from Ephesians 4:29. He might say something like, “Each word you give to others is a gift – don’t forget the bow!”

Remember when your mother would say to you, when you were a child, “If you can’t say anything nice about a person, then do not say anything at all!” Mothers have godly wisdom. Look at what Paul says in Colossians 3:8, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” There is that word “all” again – all means all! Solomon’s solution for halting angry reactions of rhetoric, is found in Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” I need to remember that better next time I am tempted to yell back at someone whose volume level is raised towards me. Another parallel verse from Paul on this subject, is Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Words hold so much power and influence. They can crush or lift up others.

Think of a time when someone said just the right and fitting words to you on a specific occasion. I can think of a few, and those people have a special place in my memory that practiced Ephe. 4:29 in my life. In particular, one was from our Pastor Todd, when he told my husband and me, “There is always an ending to every problematic situation. This will have an ending.” I still remember that simple sentence. That was part of a conversation that gave us hope and a reminder that God is faithful, which helped us in having courage and strength needed in an unfortunate situation.

So how has God been speaking to you recently? Do you hear words of comfort, guidance, ready defense, grace, and instruction, counsel, or correction, as you have read His Word this week and in prayer, listened to a particular Christian artist’s song, or even through other Christian believers? I like to write down in my journal notebook when God speaks to me from verses popping out off the page, or something from a Christian author’s book I am reading, to reread and remember later. I don’t want to forget what He is telling and teaching me while renewing my mind and attitude (Ephe. 4:24).

To you, my dear reader, you are a priceless gem, and I treasure you!

Words coming out of our mouth need to be given as fitting gifts, so don’t forget the bow!

Listen to Matthew West’s Take Heart

Ephesians 4:26-27, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity  to the devil.”

There seems to be so much hate and anger displayed all around us these days. The media, political scenarios, and conflict, perhaps even within families and our jobs, that is displeasing and can insight the emotional arousal of anger. I have seen a lot of anger around me this week, haven’t you? In Paul’s time, back in Ephesus, the body of believers had the same circumstances. Some things never change because sin is sin.

It is not wrong to feel angry over injustices. Not all anger is a sin. But when we are consumed by it, the problem takes root, and it will enter into our brain and land inside what is called the Lymbic System of our mind. The Lymbic System is where we feel things. That is when we need to take a cleansing breath, pause, maybe walk around the room, and allow that fear or anger emotion to move to the front of the brain, where rationality resides to respond logically. Notice there seems to be a time limit element that Paul is stating in Ephe. 4:26, about “do not let the sun go down on your anger,” in not letting anger sprout into sin. Our beliefs and fears, whether reasonable or not, are expressed by our feelings.

No one can afford to have a thought that God does not have regarding our opinions and responses in our workplace, family interactions, and public places. I need to ask myself, “What is God’s perspective on this?” When I try to fight my own battle, I need to remember and acknowledge that I have the greatest warrior guiding me, just as Moses had God leading him in battles (Exodus 15:2-7). What combat missions have you had to experience this week and how did you react to the people involved? Did you feel you needed some comforting by someone?

When Jesus overturned tables in the temple, He was not angry because His feelings were hurt, or because He felt ignored. He set the example. “He was angry because people were being hindered from worshipping the Father freely.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament. This was a judgment against sin, by Jesus cleansing the temple, as was God’s judgment in Num. 25:4 and Jer. 4:8; 12:13, where the phrase, “the anger of the LORD” was stated regarding God’s anger against people continuing in their sin, so the punishment was great destruction of their land.

“The devil’s work is to accuse and divide the family of God, and to sow discord among them. When we harbor anger in our heart, we do the devil’s work for him.” David Guzak. Are you aware that Satan can work while you sleep? If you argue about some disagreement before going to bed and don’t get it resolved before laying your head on that pillow, when you wake up in the morning, bitterness and resentment have brewed and often turn into anger, just as Paul warned not do in Ephe. 4:26. I confess I have been there – done that and don’t recommend it.

James 4:7-8 admonishes us to, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” The enemy has a good chance for advancement and progress in the temptation of anger in his attack. We need to be quick to say, “I’m sorry” to the person we have wounded. Have righteous indignation where required, but pray for God’s values in the outcome of the resolution and apply them. Flee to Jesus!

The MSG version states Ephe. 4:26-27 this way: “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry – but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil that kind of foothold in your life.”

Listen to – Face To Face by Natalie Grant. 7/11/20

Ephesians 4:17-18, “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.”

The Gentiles, Paul referred to, were in denial of the true God and therefore denied any standard of morality that they must answer to. They were either atheist, or they believed in gods who were themselves immoral. Sounds familiar to our modern culture’s ways, doesn’t it? We all have to keep on keeping on, in our walk with the Lord, in growing closer to Him and knowing Him better, more intimately each day.

My husband and I just returned from a 4,230 mile road trip to see my parents in NW Iowa, and brother and sister-in-law. We had the opportunity to visit with a few cousins along the way. I saw that each one has their own stressful issues, including my 94 yr. old parents, to deal with, and a cultural political shift in their state where they live, besides us here in California. So we all are to live up to what a Christian is and walk worthy of our calling (Ephe. 4:1). The challenge is set before us, just as it was with the church in Ephesus, back in Paul’s day.

Paul stated in Romans 1:21, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him, as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” We all must ask ourselves, “How am I honoring God today, and what do I need to thank Him for?”

Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon said that if we do not honor God, we miss the whole purpose in life and are therefore fools (Prov. 1:7, 22;10:1; 12:15; 14:7; 17:25; 20:3). Solomon states the theme of Proverb’s goal is to describe and instill “wisdom” in God’s people. This wisdom is found in the “fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10)” in practical everyday circumstances, situations, and relationships. One example is from Proverbs 29:11, “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”

There are several “no longer” ways we must live up to the calling to which we are called in Christ:

• No longer losing one’s temper and giving vent to anger – Prov.12:16, “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Prov. 20:3, “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”
• No longer allowing sins of the past – Colossians 3:5, “Put to death therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
• No longer holding onto anxieties – 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you.”
• No longer holding onto jealous thoughts – Proverbs 30, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

Living our life intentionally, as God designed us to do, with the concentrated focus on honoring Jesus in all we do, to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:23-33), is an ongoing process and daily work for the rest of one’s life. Nobody’s grass is greener. The old way has to go. The NLT version of Ephesians 4: 23 states, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Our heart has to be changed in order for our mind to be changed and filled with the wisdom that can only come through knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Yes, the old way has to go in our thoughts and attitudes, and needs to be replaced with the truth of Christ Jesus. What we do needs to be motivated by our love for Christ. The old way has to go.

Listen to Run To The Father by Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe.

Ephesians 4:1-2, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

Paul is now launching into the practical aspects of our life in Christ (Ephesians 4-6) by urging the church to walk in unity, purity, harmony, and finally, in victory. This is our duty and responsibility in Christ. We all have to keep in mind how patient God has been with us. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “. . . learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart (humble).” His love is generous, full of mercy and grace, and goodness; therefore, we are to walk in a manner that is worthy of our name – a Christian.

When one has humility, one is content and happy in not needing to be in control or steering things only our way. Do you see yourself as a person that tries to control things or people? Are you a good listener? I think it is easy to recognize lack of humility and manipulation tendencies in others rather than in ourselves. We all have those offenders that come to mind, don’t we? It has been said that when you know you have the grace of humility you have lost it. But Jesus Christ was the supreme example of what the word humility is and means. Paul admonished the believers in Philippi, in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

True humility is knowing oneself, accepting oneself, and being yourself all to the glory of God. It requires having the right balance in walking in the manner of your calling in the work God has given you to do.

Which Christian character trait that Paul lists here is more challenging for you? Is it humility, gentleness, patience, or showing acts of love? I tend to be challenged with showing gentleness at times, and then second would be patience. I am working on this.

Not taking revenge is one aspect of what true humility means in walking in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ when inevitable wrongs occur within God’s family of united believers. We all have differences, weaknesses, and strengths, due to our upbringing and background. It is part of who we are. But we need to be patient with fellow believers in extending mercy and grace freely. I love how the MSG states the beginning of chapter 4 in Ephesians: “I want you to get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”

Listen to Casting Crowns It Has To Start Right Here (Official Lyric Video) 7/24/20.

Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Last week I felt that the only thing I had in common with the infamous Proverbs 31 woman is that a large majority of my clothes are purple too, as it says in verse 22, she dressed in “fine linen and purple.” That was it. She had many successful personal and business accomplishments and received many compliments for her actions and wisdom with admiration from others. Do you ever have one of those weeks where everything you did was misinterpreted and seemed to go wrong and the ending was not what you had intended? That was my week last week. But Paul tells us (me) in Ephesians 3:20 that God can do far more in our (my) life than I can ever imagine. So I then spent specific time focusing and meditating on the attributes of God over last weekend. My mind’s thoughts needed a reboot on Heavenly things, instead of dwelling on my current frustrations and anxieties at work.

It is beyond my own human capability to comprehend how much God can do far beyond my ability, to infinitely accomplish more than I ask or think Him to do.

 If I ask God to help me be of benefit at my workplace, He can do above that and He has shown and proven that to me in the past and will do as well in the future.

If I ask God to help in a situational problem(s), He can do above that and has as He builds up my endurance and gives me His insight.

If I ask God to answer a specific burden I am praying about, He can do above that. “In fact, God can do superabundantly above the greatest abundance.” (Clarke)

Do you have a need that you need God to do “far more abundantly?” Remember, this is what you already have and belongs to you:

• Spiritual strength
• Indwelling of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
• Experiential knowledge of God’s love
• The fullness of God’s love

God is omnipotent – all-powerful. God is omnipresent – He is near and continually with us. God is omniscient – all-knowing. He is full of goodness, love, kindness, grace, and is merciful. God is just and is our justifier. He is right and perfect in all that He does. God is faithful and able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, and God showed me that on Monday! Which attribute of God has He demonstrated to you the most this week in giving you an opportunity to see Him at a level you haven’t seen before?

Listen to Matthew West – Truth Be Told (Live at the Caverns) 11/1/2019.

Ephesians 3:17-19, “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith  – that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Paul spent much time in prayer for the Ephesians while he was in prison. He shares with his readers that he has prayed for their strength and complete understanding of God’s power and love. He was burdened for them to not only have the knowledge of theology, but to have it connect in their inner being in their hearts and to live by those truths.

I have a folding chair set up in my office to the left of my desk. I have a small sign placed on the seat of the chair that says, “God’s chair.” It is a constant reminder to me that God is with me while I am working throughout my day. I know in my head that God’s presence is always with me, but this visual sign helps remind me that He is at home, in my office, my kitchen, my living room, dining room, with me, besides at home dwelling within my heart. During times of needing to make a decision and figuring out the right solution, I will look at that chair and say, “OK God, what should I do now? How do I handle this?” I have had many of those times these past two weeks especially.

I have read several books throughout my sales career, on how to have success in my work, such as How To Get People To Like You In 90 Seconds Or Less; How To Connect In Business In 90 Seconds Or Less; The Only Negotiating Guide You’ll Ever Need. 101 Ways To Win Every Time In Any Situation; and Emotional Intelligence. Those are all helpful books to be used in acquiring success in business and sales, but God has given us 66 books bound in a single volume, that contain absolute truth, absolute guarantee if we read from it and meditate on it day and night, we will be filled with the wisdom of knowing the love of Christ, that will guide us, navigate us, as we study to show ourselves approved unto Christ (2 Tim. 2:15). Joshua 1:8 states, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you will meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is my prayer for myself. This is also my prayer for you, my reader, as well. May you live in the fullness of God today, through practical personal experience, and comprehend the love of Christ for you through faith and prayer as you live daily for Him in every aspect of your life. Paul’s prayer is my prayer, too: “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.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV.

Listen to Matthew West Take Heart – Live (4/10/2020)

Ephesians 2:21-22, “In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

At the time Paul was writing Ephesians, he was in prison, under house arrest in Rome. Paul was awaiting trial because he was falsely accused by the Jews, of taking a Gentile into the temple past the literal wall of separation, which divided the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul was making it clear that in Jesus, the wall is gone. They are all one under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. So differences in politics, racial, economic, language, geography, or whatever, should not be causing arguments and division within the church. Those who were causing disunity did not fully understand what it means to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

We all are growing in our understanding of God’s ways, and it continues no matter what age we are, as we seek to serve Christ in all aspects of our life . Taking every thought captive to be pleasing and obedient to Christ is a never-ending challenge and process. Sometimes I succeed, and other times I fail. How about you?

Proponents of legalism seem to feel they have superior access to God during topics of issues with their strong opinions. A lack of humility appears to come out in their communicated dogmatic views. Paul preached and warned against that in his day. We all must have strong convictions in supporting the truth of the gospel and the principles found in God’s Word. But we must be adept in stating our beliefs and our opinions in a love language that our word choices would honor Jesus; showing He is the Lord and Savior of our life instead of giving into the trigger temptations resulting out of pride. If I looked at the person I disagree with, recognizing feeling the friction of the moment as another trigger point I happen to have, and remembered they are also made in the image of God (as I am), how would my words change?  The MSG states Ephesians 2:20-22, this way, “You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day – a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.”

God is using each one of us, and He is using you, to have an impact on others from your journey in life due to His grace. My new book, “Eliminating The Greener Grass Trap. Quitting The Habit Of Comparisons,” which is on Amazon, speaks about this. Embrace what God is doing and working in your life (chapter 20, Transformer And Not A Conformer). Jon Courson has said, in his Application commentary, New Testament, “You’re being fit together as living stones for a holy habitation in which God can dwell forever.”

Listen to MercyMe – Quarantine Grab Bag – “Dear Younger Me.”

Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

I have to water, every afternoon, our onion plants, green pepper plants, garlic, oregano, basil, and other plants with the gardening hose. The water is what is needed for them not to die during the intense afternoon sun’s heat, and to develop properly. The hose is the communicator of the water and does nothing in and of itself. The hose does not quench the grounds thirst; the water does. But the hose brings water to the soil and roots of the plants, where it is needed for benefit. God’s grace is communicated to us by our faith in Him, which is for our benefit in our spiritual walk. We act by the faith supplied to us by God’s grace.

Paul stated in Ephesians 1:6c that God has “blessed us in the Beloved.” We that have accepted Christ as our Savior are accepted. The simple principle is you are embraced by God, not because of who you are but where you are. You are in Christ despite all your weaknesses, past behavior, and feelings of inadequacies, all due to God’s grace. Throughout the New Testament, and especially in Paul’s writings, the term “in Christ” is used more than 100 times. We are adopted, chosen, justified, regenerated, sanctified, forgiven, God’s work of art, been given everlasting love, and righteousness, are all of the benefits of our salvation because of our relationship in Christ. He lifts us up. He lifts us out, and we are linked with Christ by our faith in Christ.

The Message states Ephesians 2:9-10 this way, “No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”

How is God drawing you to Himself today?

When you go to bed tonight, reflect on how God has shown and given you His grace today. Then pray for that person that comes to mind that you need to show grace to as well, and pray for them to be watered with God’s love, kindness, and grace in their life through their faith in Him.

Listen to Mercy Me – Best News Ever (Official Lyric Video)