We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day. Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection. For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question. We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.
Ephesians 2:1-10
2You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in
which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler
of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are
disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our
flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature
children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in
mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we
were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace
you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with
him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to
come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us
in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the
result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has
made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand
to be our way of life. Reflection:
This past weekend, there was a remembrance of “Bloody Sunday” where so many lost their lives marching for their basic right to vote; 50 years ago. As a country, we remember some of the times where we were not at our best. We hope that we have made strides to be better. Then, around this same time, we hear of a fraternity, at a prominent school, being in a video of them chanting racist and horrible things. Just around the same time of remembering where we were and we maybe learn that we haven’t gotten very far. This scripture reminds us that we are created in Jesus for good works. Through Christ we are alive. We remember Christian perfection. The thought is scary, knowing that we are not perfect, but we know that through God’s love of us, we are made perfect. We have actions to take to help build God’s kingdom here on Earth, but believe me…we don’t have to do it alone.
Reflection Questions:
Morning: When have you not been at your best?
Noon: When have you been at your best?
Evening: Think about a person that you have seen be Christ-like; what about them reminds you of Christ? How can you exhibit those traits?
Prayer: Lord, we are in need of You more than ever. We ask for help. We need to learn more and more how to be like You. We know that there are times that we are not at our best, but we want to be better than that. Help us to be perfected in Your love. Amen.
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