Ephesians 4:14-16 – You Can’t Build It Alone
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:14-16 (New International Version)

Here, the Apostle Paul continues his thoughts on maturing in our faith by saying that when we have reached maturity, we will no longer be infants (i.e., spiritually immature) who are pushed around by the waves and the winds of ungodly teaching and people. When we have reached this level of spiritual maturity, Paul says we will speak the truth in love. Speaking the truth in love sounds simple, but many find it very hard to do. Some are fairly good at it but forget to be loving. Some are good at being loving but have difficulty being honest with others when the truth is painful. To build up the church, we need to both speak the truth, but do it in a loving manner.

Jesus’ grand design for the church is that we help each other grow and mature in our faith. When we join with Jesus, He forms us into a group united in purpose and in love for one another and for God. If one stumbles, the rest of the group picks that person up and helps him or her get back on their path with God again. Don’t try to live the Christian life alone. As part of the Body of Christ—the Church—you can reflect His character and carry out your special role in the work He has called the church to do.

Are you maturing spiritually? Do you speak the truth in love? Are you helping others grow in spiritual maturity? If your answers are “no,” then what are you waiting for? Get plugged into the church and find fulfillment in sharing God’s love with others. If your answers are “yes,” then keep up the good work—always growing, always loving, and always becoming more like Jesus.

Prayer:
Father, we ask that you would give us the desire and the passion to grow in our faith and to become more spiritually mature. Let us no longer be babies, but let us be the ones to whom others look for wisdom, advice, and spiritual guidance. Continue to fill us with your wisdom. Continue to use us to build your church and further your Kingdom. Thank you for making us a vital part of your heavenly team.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Song: Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 4:11-13 – Gifted to Love God and Love People
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13 (New Living Translation)

God has given His church an enormous responsibility—to make disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:18-20). To do this, He knew His children would need gifts and abilities in order to fulfill this calling. These are known as spiritual gifts and there are many of them. The list found here in verse eleven is not exhaustive, but these five were crucial to the establishment of the first generation of the Church. Other spiritual gifts can be found in Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 7, 12, and 13; 1 Peter 4:9-10; and here in Ephesians 4. God, through the Holy Spirit, has given each Christian a special gift—or multiple gifts—that should be used for building up the church.

Each of us has different gifts. You are able to do things well that I cannot just as I am able to do things well that you cannot. But when we bring our giftedness together as the people of God, we are able to accomplish together what God has called us to do. Each of our gifts are important.

Think of the construction of a building that requires an architect, a project manager, a project coordinator, construction workers who specialize in different areas of construction, and I’m sure many other jobs that I am missing. What would the building look like if only the architect were involved? It would stay on paper, or as a three dimensional model on the computer. What would the building look like if only the plumbers were involved? You’d end up with nothing more than a bunch of pipes sticking out of the ground. The point is that no one would be able to build an entire building on their own as effectively as if an entire team of people with different areas of expertise were constructing the building. The same is true of the church. What would the church look like if it only consisted of a receptionist, or an organist, or a drummer, or a preacher? If there were only one person with one job, you wouldn’t have a church. Just as a construction team needs others to get the project done, so do we need one another to build up the Kingdom of God here on Earth.

Are you exercising the gifts God gave you for this purpose? If you know what your gifts are, look for opportunities to serve. If you don’t know what they are, ask God to show you—perhaps with the help of a church leader or Christian friends. Then, as you begin to recognize your special areas of service, use your gifts to strengthen and encourage the church. Use them to love God and love people.

Below are two spiritual gift inventories you can take to begin the process of finding out how God has gifted you.

CLICK HERE - This one is really good. It shows research behind the test, as well as provides a section with an introduction to the various spiritual gifts.

CLICK HERE - This is probably the most thorough spiritual gifts inventory I found.

Prayer:
Lord, we thank you that you have graciously given us our spiritual gifts, whether we know what they are yet or not. If we fall into the latter category, we ask that you would reveal to us in which ways you have gifted us. As we use these gifts to further your Kingdom, please allow us to grow closer and closer to you so that we can become more and more like you.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Song: Take My Life – Chris Tomlin - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 4:7-10 – Always Already There
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)” – Ephesians 4:7-10 (New International Version)
In yesterday’s devotion on Ephesians 4:3-6, we discussed the unity of the Body of Christ. In today’s passage, Paul switches his focus to the grace and gifts that Jesus has given to us. While this grace and these gifts are needed for many things, I believe Paul could be continuing his thought by saying that we will need God’s grace in order to live in unity with one another.

We see that these gifts are given not according to our worth, our need, or anything we have done, but according to what Jesus saw fit to give us. This means that we will all have different gifts—or different combinations of gifts—but that Jesus knew what each of us would need to live out the calling that He has for our lives.

We also see in this passage that Jesus left Heaven to descend to Earth—to live among us, and to sacrifice Himself for us—and that He then left Earth to ascend higher than all the heavens so that He could fill the whole universe (verses 9-10). This tells us that we will never be in a place that Jesus has not filled with His presence.

So, as you go throughout life and face situations in which you feel that Jesus is not there, rest assured knowing that He absolutely is there, and He always has been.

Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the grace you so freely give us and for the gifts that you bestow upon us to help us to love and serve others. Thank you that you are always already present in our lives.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Song: Another in the Fire – Hillsong United - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 4:3-6 – Life Together
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:3-6 (New International Version)

A theme that the Apostle Paul touches on in many of the books of the Bible he penned is unity. Unity was central to Paul’s vision for the church. When looking at the world around us—and sometimes even the church—it is hard for us to grasp true unity. The “one body” that Paul mentions here is the church—us—and we are unified through Jesus, with the Holy Spirit being the glue which holds us all together. Paul writes that our commonality is that we have one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father—that’s what unifies us. Jesus must always be at the center of all we do.

Another thing Paul is saying here is that we are not called to be alone on our faith journeys. God didn’t create us to be loners, He created us for relationship. We are to enjoy fellowship with one another, supporting each other in the good times as well as in the bad, and striving toward the future—together.

So, no matter what you are going through right now, or no matter where your faith journey currently has you, please know that you don’t have to do it alone—and that you are not alone.

Prayer:
Lord, we live in a crazy world—a world that throws a lot of difficult things our way. Thank you that we don’t have to face the craziness alone. Thank you that you are with us, and thank you that we have each other. Help us to keep our focus on you.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Song: Same God – Elevation Worship - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 4:1-2 – What If We Choose To Love?
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

From chapter four onward, the Apostle Paul describes the specific lifestyle changes God wants His followers to make. He begins by reminding his readers of the fundamental instructions for living the Christian life—the life to which they were called.

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” – Ephesians 4:1-2 (New Living Translation)

In the story of The Prodigal Son, we have the character of the older brother who is full of resentment and bitterness in regard to the poor decisions and subsequent return of his younger brother and how their father welcomed him back with open arms and no questions asked.

The older brother in this story was not doing what the Apostle Paul urged here in Ephesians 4. He was not being humble and gentle. He was not being patient with his brother, or his father. And he certainly was not making allowance for his brother’s faults. Actually, he was showing no love—only bitterness and hatred.

The truth is that no one is ever going to be perfect here on Earth, so we must accept and love others despite their faults. When we see faults in people, we should be patient and gentle. Is there someone who really knows how to press your buttons, annoying you to no end? Rather than dwelling on that person’s weaknesses or looking for faults, pray for him or her. Then do even more by actually spending time together with the goal of trying to understand them and learn from them.

Imagine if the older brother in the story of The Prodigal Son had allowed love to win over resentment and hatred? Imagine what it would be like if we did the same. What would happen if—no matter how annoyed or frustrated we are with someone—we chose to follow the greatest commandments of loving God and loving people (Mark 12:30-31)?

Prayer:
God, we know that you are love, and that it is only because you loved us first that we are able to love at all. Help us when our sinful human tendencies try to take control, and instead help us choose love. In doing so, we are becoming more like your Son. And that’s what we want, Lord…to be more like Jesus.
In His powerful name we pray, Amen!

Song: Give Me Your Eyes – Brandon Heath- CLICK HERE

Ephesians 3:14-21 – Filled to Overflowing
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:14-21 (New International Version)

It seems as if Paul is concluding his letter here, but there are still three chapters to go in his letter to the Ephesians. He was actually wrapping up the first three chapters of the letter—chapters focused on God’s love and plan for the world. Beginning in chapter four, Paul shifts his attention to the specific lifestyle changes God desires for His followers.
In these verses, Paul prays that the Ephesian believers—and us—would be filled to the point of overflowing with the fullness of God (verse 19). This doesn’t mean that we will be able to fully comprehend God. That would actually be impossible. What it does mean, however, is that God has all of us. And if God has all of us, His Spirit permeates our minds, hearts, and souls like water flooding in and covering everything—nothing remains untouched by His love.

When we get a taste of Jesus’ genuine love for us, we will want it to fill every aspect of our lives. This is a daily process of surrendering to Him and opening new doors so that His love can become the dominant influence in everything we think, say, and do.
Paul ends this chapter with—in my opinion—one of the most powerful benedictions in all of Scripture. This benediction will be our prayer for today.

Prayer
“20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Song: Holy Forever – Chris Tomlin - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 3:12-13 – Ready to Scoop Us Up
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.” – Ephesians 3:12-13 (New Living Translation)
Because of Jesus, we have open access to God the Father. But note the role of faith—of placing our hope and trust in Jesus as our Lord. It is because of our faith in Jesus and the fact that we have been made into new creations in Him that we can come before God at any time. And God Himself awaits us with arms wide open to welcome us into His presence.

When Paul uses the words “boldly and confidently” (verse 12), he is doing so to encourage us to come to God, even when we are afraid, shy, or ashamed. We should come before God in prayer with the abandon of children. We should not be afraid of God. We should talk to Him about everything. He wants to hear from you.

In verse thirteen, Paul tells us that his suffering, trials, and imprisonment should make us feel honored. What a strange thing to say, right? What he means by this is that if he had not preached the message of the Gospel, he would not be in jail—but then the Ephesians would not have heard the Good News and come to faith in Jesus either. Paul had to suffer so that the Gospel could be spread and people would come to faith in Jesus, but he knew that God was with him every step of the way.

Just like Paul, God is with us every step of the way—helping us, guiding us, comforting us, sustaining us, and sometimes even carrying us.

Prayer
Father God, thank you for providing a way for us to come boldly and confidently into your presence. Allow us to not be afraid, but to come to you as a young child running to their Daddy. Thank you that you are there with open arms, ready to scoop us up and hold us close. We love you, Lord.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Song: Run to the Father – Cody Carnes - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 3:7-11 – A Bottomless Reservoir
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“7 I became a servant of this Gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Ephesians 3:7-11 (New International Version)

In yesterday’s passage, the Apostle Paul elaborated on the mystery of God’s will that is the unity available through belief in—and living for—Jesus. In today’s passage, Paul talks about sharing this mystery. He beautifully describes that he is called to preach “the boundless riches of Christ…” (verse 8). These boundless riches have been described as a reservoir so deep we can never find the bottom, out of which we can never draw too much, whose supply we can never exhaust. And Paul tells us he was called to share this mystery with all people. And the same is true for us. If we are people who follow Jesus, then that means that He has changed our lives from the inside out. We who once had no hope are now filled with hope. As followers of Jesus, we have been tasked with sharing this glorious hope with others by making disciples (i.e., leading others to faith) and by teaching them God’s Word (Matthew 28:19-20).

My prayer is that you would find strength in this passage today. Whatever you are facing, God’s resources are abundant and there is nothing that is too big for Him—He can handle it all. What an incredible God we serve!

Prayer
Lord, thank you that your riches are boundless and your resources are never exhausted. Help us to trust you and share the hope we have in you with others.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Song: More Than Able – Elevation Worship - CLICK HERE

 Ephesians 3:2-6 – A Mysterious Unification
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 3:2-6 (New International Version)

In Ephesians 1:9, Paul said that God “made known to us the mystery of his will,” but he never elaborated as to what that mystery actually was. He comes back to that thought in this passage, citing the mystery as being “the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (verse 2), and “through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (verse 6).

The term “gentile” describes anyone who is not Jewish. Paul is saying that all people now have access to God through the Gospel. Before Jesus, Gentiles were viewed as being outside God’s covenant people and separated from the promises God had given to Israel. Now—as a result of Jesus’ arrival on the scene and all that He accomplished and changed for us—anyone who follows and believes in Jesus has direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.

The mystery to which Paul was referring is the incredible unity of the church—that we are all one in Christ. Paul writes that as a result of Jesus and the Gospel, we are now heirs together, members together, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I’m blown away by the many mysteries of Jesus, and they make me stand even more in awe of Him each and every day.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your mystery—for making us a part of your family. Thank you for providing a way for us to be reconnected with God and to spend eternity with Him. We stand in awe of you.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Song: King of Kings – Hillsong Worship - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 3:1 – Incomplete Sentence With a Purpose
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...” – Ephesians 3:1 (New International Version)

No, I did not make a mistake here. Our passage—or I guess I should say verse…or actually half of a verse—is exactly as the Apostle Paul wrote it. In this incomplete sentence, the Apostle Paul begins writing and then gets diverted and doesn’t finish the sentence. Sounds like a pastor going off on a rabbit trail mid-sermon, doesn’t it? Paul does, however, come back to it thirteen verses later and completes his thought, and we will get to that in Saturday’s devotion. What sidetracked Paul was the need to explain who he was, his mission, and why he was willing to suffer imprisonment and persecution for the message of the Gospel. Even though Paul penned these words while in prison, he maintained his firm belief that God was in control of all history, including all that happened to him.

If that’s not a powerful message for us, I don’t know what is. Do the things you see on the news make you wonder if God has lost control of this world? Like Paul, remember that no matter what happens, God is in control and carefully watching over you.

Prayer
Father, in a world that sometimes seems to be without hope, we take comfort in the fact that with you as our focus, there is always hope. We thank you that even though the world seems to be crumbling around us, we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are still here, you are still working, and that you still have everything under control.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Song: Trust In God – Elevation Worship - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:19-22 – No Longer Strangers
Written by: Pastor Paul Georgulis

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22
“19-22 That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. 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.” – Ephesians 2:19-22 (The Message)

When you think of the church, do you think of the building that is located at 320 E. Swamp Road in Doylestown, Pennsylvania? It’s common to think of the actual church building as the church, but that’s not what the Church actually is. The Church is way more complex than a structure, because it’s made up of people from all over the world. It’s made up of people who have never met one another, and who likely never will until they get to heaven. It’s made up of strangers who are no longer strangers. In fact, this “no longer strangers” mantra is what Ephesians 2:19-22 is all about.

Not only are we no longer strangers, but we are being added to the construction of a Kingdom that includes the apostles and prophets from throughout antiquity as the foundation of the building, with Jesus being the cornerstone that holds it all together. If nothing else, this should tell us that we are not alone on this faith journey, and that we walk the paths that many godly men and women once walked in their calling to bring the message of the Gospel—the message of Jesus—to the very ends of the earth.
I don’t know about you, but knowing this empowers me to continue serving Jesus to the best of my ability and to continue loving God and loving people (Mark 12:30-31), which is what all of this is about.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for seeing value in me and using me to further your Kingdom, despite my background and my past, present, and future sins. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so great, and for being the cornerstone that holds not only my life together but serves as my connection to all others who follow you. Thank you for making me a part of the team.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Song: Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship - CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:11-18 – From Wall Builders to Kingdom Builders

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-18
“11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) – 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:11-18 (New International Version)
One of my undergrad professors used to say that when you see “therefore” in Scripture, you have to ask, “What’s it there for?” This is true with today’s passage. If you remember back to Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul reminded us about how we were dead in our sins, yet God reached out to us and saved us by His grace. So, what the “therefore” is there for is for Paul to elaborate on how this salvation by God’s grace has affected us.    
And how it has affected us is that the salvation Jesus offers is for anyone and everyone. Jesus breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles people back to God, and unifies us as one body. Jesus has destroyed the barriers that we are quick to build between ourselves and others. Because these walls have been removed, we can have real unity with people who are not like us. Because of Jesus’ death, we are all unified, on the same side, citizens of the same kingdom (2:14); our hostility toward one another has been put to death (2:16); we can all have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit (2:18).
Do you struggle with barriers and finding unity with others? If so, allow the Holy Spirit to help you to look beyond those potential barriers to the unity we are called to enjoy. Focus on the cross, and the barriers will crumble.

Prayer:
Jesus, help us to keep our eyes on the cross so that we may remember what it truly means to us and our future with you. I thank you for your sacrifice on that cross, and for the immense love that enabled you to go through with it for each and every one of us. Thank you for how you unify us with others—even those with whom we disagree. Help us to stop being wall builders and instead become Kingdom builders.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

Song: Make Us One – Jesus Culture
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:10 – You’re a piece of work!
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

“10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)
Have you ever heard someone call someone else “a piece of work?” It’s not usually a good thing, except for in Ephesians 2:10 where it is. This verse refers to us as being “God’s masterpiece.” Other translations word it “God’s handiwork (NIV),” “his workmanship (KJV),” “His creation (HCSB),” and “what he has made us (NRSV).” I could go on, but you get the point—God created us and we are a piece of work—His piece of work. The Greek word Paul uses in this verse is “poiema.” This is where we get the English word “poem.” What Paul had in mind when penning this verse is that we are a work of masterful creativity. Paul did not use this word flippantly. In fact, he only used this word twice: once in Romans 1:20, and the other in Ephesians 2:10. However, this word is used several times in the Old Testament, one of which being the Creation account found in Genesis 1, where God concluded that His work was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).
I want to remind you today that you are precious, beautiful, amazing, and a masterpiece in God’s eyes—and that He loves you more than anyone else will ever love you. Go and live in that love, realizing that you are God’s masterpiece.
For a powerful video on God’s continual work on and in our lives, go here: CLICK HERE

Prayer:
God, thank you that your work of creation was “very good” and that you continue to renew and restore us through Jesus. Help us to remember that even though we are your masterpieces, we are still works in progress, meaning that you continually work on us and mold us more and more into the image of your Son. Help us to be open to your continued work on and in us.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

Song: Masterpiece – Danny Gokey
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:8-9 – Saved By Grace

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 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.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version)
Paul reminds us that we have not earned our standing with God. Salvation is available only because of God’s grace provided by the death of Jesus on the cross. It is entirely initiated and freely given by God alone. Grace is a gift, and a gift, by definition, is free—it cannot be bought or earned, only accepted. Grace is best understood as unearned, undeserved favor. As with any gift given to us, our job is simply to receive it. (For a powerful video on God’s Grace, go here: https://skitguys.com/videos/grace).
While salvation is about God’s work and not ours, it doesn’t mean the way we live our new life as followers of Jesus is unimportant. A change of attitude and behavior is hugely important. We need to understand that our new Christ-like behavior flows from our secure acceptance into God’s family. Good works do not save us, but it’s because we have been saved that we should want to do good works. Saving us is God’s work. He had Jesus die on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins. Our new behavior—what the Bible calls “works”—shows our love for God and our gratitude for the grace He freely gives to us.

Prayer:
God, thank you for your grace. We don’t deserve it, but you still give it. Please allow the fact that you have saved us from our sins to change the way we live our lives so that we can share what you have done for us with others, eventually changing their lives just as it has changed ours.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

Song: Gracefully Broken – Matt Redman ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:6-7 – The Already But Not Yet

Scripture: Ephesians 2:6-7
“6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6-7 (New Living Translation)
As was discussed in yesterday’s devotion, prior to coming to faith in Jesus, we were headed down a path of destruction—BUT now we have hope. Because of Jesus, we have life. Yes, sin kills and destroys, BUT Jesus heals us, bringing new life and transformation. In verse six, Paul states that we have been raised from the dead along with Christ, and united with Him.  
There’s a theological paradigm known as “the already but not yet” which states that followers of Jesus are actively taking part in the Kingdom of God, although the Kingdom will not reach its full expression until Jesus returns. That is to say that—as followers of Jesus—we are “already” in the Kingdom of God, but we do “not yet” see it in its full glory. The Kingdom of God is described in Scripture as both a realm presently entered and as one entered in the future.
So, verse six is talking about our being raised from our old way of living—the already—and is also referring to the future when we will be resurrected into God’s Heavenly Kingdom—the not yet. It’s both a hope now, and a hope for the future.
In verse seven, we see that God will point back to our lives—which have been transformed and redeemed by Him—and use our transformation as evidence of His abounding and overflowing riches toward His children.
Can you imagine that? God looks at you, smiles upon you, and is ecstatic that His grace and love changed you and that you are now redeemed and becoming the person He created you to be.

Prayer:
Father, in light of these verses that portray what it means when we believe in your Son and turn our lives over to you, I cannot help but to stand in awe of the inexhaustible and unsearchable riches of your grace toward us. Thank you for “the already but not yet” that allows us to experience you here on this Earth, and then in paradise when our days on this Earth have come to an end.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

Song: I Can Only Imagine – MercyMe
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:4-5 – But…God!
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5
“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5 (New International Version)
In verses one through three, Paul painted a bleak picture of how lost and hopeless we were before coming to faith in Christ. We were dead because of our sins…but God. We were rebels against Him…but God. We were enslaved by the devil and our sinful natures…but God. “But God” may be the two most hope-filled and incredible words in all of Scripture. They show that even though what came before them was negative, what comes after—because of God showing up—will be positive. God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against Him, and in bondage to our sins, but He didn’t. He did not save us because of—but rather in spite of—what He saw in us. 
In verses four through five, we see where hope came into the picture. Paul was saying that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power. The penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23), and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Jesus on the cross. Through faith in Him, we now stand acquitted—not guilty—before God (Romans 3:21-22).
God doesn’t take us out of the world or make us like robots who can do nothing but what we were programmed to do. We will still be drawn to sin, and we will still sin. The difference is that before we started following Jesus, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ and have His help to avoid sin and live with real joy and freedom.

Prayer:
God, I thank you for showing up. I thank you that when I look back at my past sins and mistakes, I can confidently say “BUT GOD,” and remember that I am no longer there. I can say, “but God” and know that I am different, changed, redeemed, and on a new path toward becoming more like Jesus. I pray that you would continue giving all of us these “but God” moments so we can continue to be in awe of you and the way you work in our lives.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

Song: Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me – CityAlight
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 2:1-3 – Never Forget

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” – Ephesians 2:1-3 (New International Version)
In these verses, Paul describes the old, sinful nature of followers of Jesus. He describes them prior to coming to faith in Christ as dead—not as unfulfilled or incomplete—but dead. Their spirits were dead because they had broken relationships with God, the source of life.
When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we can take comfort in knowing that He takes our sins and removes them as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). If this is the case, then why is Paul writing here to remind the Ephesian believers and everyone else who received this letter—including us—of past sins? He was not writing to remind people of their past to condemn them or to make them feel bad about their past life choices, but to give them a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of God in Jesus. It is important for us—as followers of Jesus—to never forget our pasts and the conditions from which Jesus saved us. Those memories, though sometimes painful, will inspire us to thank Jesus for all He has done for us. So, remembering our past sins will actually help us to appreciate and love Jesus more. Remember, but don’t turn back to and repeat.

Prayer:
Father, I thank you for saving me from my past, present, and future sins. I know that without you, I would be hopeless and lost, meandering down a dark path to nowhere good. But you, Lord, are good. You lit up my path, showed me the error in my ways, that I was empty without you in my life, and then filled that void. Help me to remember my past, but to not repeat it. And Lord, I also thank you that you no longer hold my sins against me and that you choose to see me through the redeeming work of Jesus.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Song: Glorious Day – Kristian Stanfill  
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 1:22-23 – We Are the Church

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23
 
“22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” – Ephesians 1:22-23 (New International Version)

Jesus is no longer physically present on earth as He was during His earthly ministry. You cannot see, hear, or touch Him. Sometimes I think about what it must have been like to be one of His earliest followers who could walk, talk, eat, and laugh with Jesus. What would it have been like to share a meal with Him? What would it have been like to stare deeply into His eyes as He explained the purpose of His coming to this earth and the depth of His love for us? What would it have been like to hug Jesus?

I want us to think about these questions and sense the wonder in them. The truth is that although Jesus is no longer walking this earth in bodily form the way He once was, He is walking it in a new way. Jesus walks—and works in—this earth through His church. The church is not the building located at 320 E. Swamp Road in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The church is the Body of Christ. The church is us. 1 Corinthians 12:27 states, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” We are the church. We are Jesus’ body in this world, and, therefore, “the fullness of him who fulfills everything in every way.” Just as a head needs a body in order to function, Jesus—being the head—uses us, His body, to continue advancing His Kingdom and fulfilling His mission.

It is important to keep in mind that none of us should attempt to work, serve, or worship merely on our own. We need the entire body—we need each other.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for creating us to be your body and for giving us a part to play in the spreading of your Gospel. This is the same Gospel that changes us from the inside out, so we ask that you use us to help others learn about and come into relationship with you—so that they can be changed from the inside out as well.
In Jesus’ powerful, life-changing name I pray, Amen.

Song: Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 1:18-21 – Open the Eyes of Our Hearts, Lord

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-21
“18 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, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” – Ephesians 1:18-21 (New International Version)

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you!” If your religious upbringing was anything like mine, then reading the above-quoted words brings back memories of youth group, retreats, summer camps, and mission trips where you sang Michael W. Smith’s “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” which was written—along with 120 other popular worship songs—by Paul Baloche. About the writing process of “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” Baloche stated, “In Psalm 95, it says, ‘Come let’s sing for joy. Let’s shout out loud. Let’s kneel in worship. Let’s clap our hands.’ That’s all neat, but I began to realize you can teach externals, but unless something is happening from the inside out, it’s just really a form. It’s like a cloud without rain.”

The Apostle Paul understood the fact that unless there is an internal change—unless God is allowed into our inner beings and allowed to begin changing us from the inside out—it is meaningless. You are just singing theological words that mean nothing to you but have a catchy tune. But if change is happening—if God is moving in your life and transforming you into the image of His Son, Jesus—then the eyes of your heart will truly be opened to the hope and inheritance that we have through our personal relationships with Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord, I’ll keep this short and simple. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you!
In Jesus’ glorious name I pray, Amen.

Song: Open the Eyes of My Heart – Michael W. Smith
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 1:15-17 – A Shift in Understanding

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-17
“15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 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 1:15-17 (New International Version)

In these verses, Paul is not praying for the Ephesian Church to gain knowledge about God, or to learn about Him and start to put their faith in Him. He’s not praying in this way because these Ephesian believers were already committed followers of Jesus. What Paul is praying for here is a shift of their complete understanding of who God is and for them to understand God’s very character.

If we are honest with ourselves, perhaps we need this shift, too. Perhaps we came to faith in Jesus and lived our lives fully for Him for a season, but then life happened—we got busy, we got distracted, we allowed our focus on Jesus to wane. In these verses, Paul’s desire for the Ephesian followers of Jesus, the other churches who would receive this letter, and for us today is that all would know God better. And that’s my prayer for you, as one of your pastors—that you would come to know God better. For those whose passion for God has dimmed over time, I pray that He would reinvigorate you. For those whose passion is strong, I pray that He would increase that passion and fan the flame to bring you into a deeper level of relationship with Him.

Prayer:
God, make it so we want nothing more than to be in your presence and to know you on a deeper, more intimate level. Lord, let our words be few, and let us become even more in awe of you.
In Jesus’ awe-inspiring name I pray, Amen.

Song: Be Thou My Vision – Ascend the Hill
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 1:13-14 – We Have God’s Mark Upon Us

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14
“13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14 (New International Version)

Jesus didn’t just give His life for us; He gave His life to us. Wait a minute…didn’t we read earlier (verses 5 & 11) that God predestined us and chose us before the foundation of the world? But it says here that we are also to believe the Gospel. How can we be both predestined and have a part to play?

God has given us His Spirit. In fact, in other translations, it says that the Spirit is given as a down payment. The idea is that you put a down payment on something you want to eventually own (e.g., a house, an RV, a car). What you’re saying is, “I’m putting money down to show that one day I will pay enough money to own this.” And God is saying, “When I gave you my Spirit—when you believed in the gospel, when you trusted in Jesus—I gave a down payment and I have claimed you as my own, and one day I will bring you fully into my presence.” And this is a promise to us that one day God will bring us fully into His presence for all of eternity.

The Holy Spirit gives us a preview of Heaven—a place where there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, and no more sickness. The lack of all of that is awesome, but here’s the great thing about Heaven: God! You’re going to see God, and not only are you going to see Him, but He is going to be glorified, which means that we are going to be completely filled with joy. That’s the way that we will live and it’s the way that we can live right now—not perfectly, like in Heaven, but you can taste it, because you have God’s mark upon you, and His Spirit is living in you.

Prayer:
Abba, Father…I thank you that you didn’t only give your life for me, but you gave it to me. I thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to be my helper and my guide. I thank you for where you have guided me thus far, and I pray that you would continue to guide me closer and closer to you. Lord, when I am truly spending time with you and soaking in your presence, I can get a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. Thank you for the price you paid for me so that I can experience Heaven both here on earth, and in eternity when my time on this earth comes to an end.
In Jesus’ most Holy name I pray, Amen.

Song: Holy Spirit – Bryan & Katie Torwalt                            
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 1:7-12 – Blinded and Redeemed

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-12
“7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:7-12 (New International Version)

There’s a lot of flowery language in this passage, but we need to understand that the Apostle Paul is talking about the culminating event of the Bible—Jesus dying in our place for our sins, rising again, and triumphing over sin and death. This is talking about what God had to do to bring us into the reality of His sending His Son as a sacrifice to save us from our sins. God had to redeem us. Redemption means “to buy back.” It was an old slavery word where you would literally buy back a slave from the auction block. When they were bought back, they were taken out of slavery and given freedom and a better life.
This is what God did for us, and it’s what He did for Saul—a religious zealot who thought it was a good idea to kill Christians—before he became the Apostle Paul. In fact, in Acts 9:1, we see that Saul was breathing out murderous threats against Christians. One day, as he was en route to fulfill those threats, God got hold of him in a powerful way, knocking him to the ground and blinding him for three days. In this process, God revealed Himself to Saul and he became the Apostle Paul, a man with a new mission in life—a mission that was the complete opposite of his former mission.

This is how we come to Jesus, too. That is to say that we get blinded by our old worldview and way of living, we get knocked off of our own ideas and our attempts at doing life on our own, and we see Jesus in a new way. And that’s what God’s grace is. We don’t deserve His grace, but He still wants to give it to us out of His immense, unconditional love for us.

Prayer:
Thank you, God, for saving me from the slippery slope that was my life of sin. Lord, you know that I was headed down a path that kept getting darker and darker, but you showed up, lit up my life, and changed my direction. Now, Lord, my journey only leads toward you. Please help me to always keep my eyes on you and help me to not stray from your path. I love you, Lord. Thank you for changing my life!
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
 
Song: Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Hillsong Worship
CLICK HERE

Ephesians 1:1-6 – God Chose You!

As we dive into the book of Ephesians, it’s good to have a little background. So here it is…
Book: Ephesians
Genre: Epistle (letter)
Author: The Apostle Paul

Audience: Paul wrote this letter to the Church at Ephesus. However, some scholars believe this letter was an encyclical—a letter intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in Asia Minor. If this is the case, the Ephesian Church just happened to be the first recipient of the letter.

Purpose: Paul wrote to strengthen believers in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church—the Body of Christ.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-6, emphasis on verses 4-6
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” – Ephesians 1:1-6 (New International Version)

Did you catch that? God—the Creator of the entire universe, including the 8.3 billion people who currently live on this earth, and the 117 billion who once walked this earth—chose to love you. God chose you! And not only did He want to choose you, but it brought Him immense pleasure to do so. Let that sink in for a moment.

This shows us that salvation depends entirely on God and that we can do nothing to earn it on our own. It is God who seeks us long before we ever seek Him. God is looking for us. God relentlessly pursues us. It has been that way since the beginning; it is that way now. Through God’s infinite love for us, He has adopted us as His own children. It baffles us to think about why God chooses to love us when we are flawed and sinful people, but Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross—that He willingly endured for us—makes us holy and blameless in God’s sight. In light of this, we should want to do nothing but express our thanks to God for pouring out His wonderful love on us!

Prayer:
Lord, I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that you chose me, that you want a relationship with me, and that you love me. I know me, and I know the things I do that separate me from you. And yet, you know them, too—and you still chose me. I am honored, Lord. Thank you for your relentless, never changing, unconditional love. Help me to always live in grateful response to your love.
In Jesus’ most precious name I pray, Amen.

Song: How Deep the Father’s Love For Us – Austin Stone Worship
CLICK HERE

BIBLE PASSAGE
[Please read and meditate on the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

Jesus’ Easter Encounters – The 10 Disciples
The frightened 10 disciples were hiding behind closed doors when the risen Jesus stood among them. He must have known that Thomas would not be with them that evening, but He couldn’t wait to show himself to them. After all, they had been with him for three years, they had recently seen him being tortured, crucified, and buried, and then the news – brought by women – that He was alive! Of course, He wanted to reassure them, which is what happened. They were overjoyed to see Him. But then He gave them a command. It had two parts. The first was that they were to open their lives to receiving the Holy Spirit. The second was a command to forgive. Though it seemed like they had to do the first in order to be able to do the second! I wonder if we will ever fully grasp how integral forgiveness is to the Gospel – both the forgiveness of ourselves and the forgiveness of others. It was important to the Risen Jesus.

Prayer: Hallelujah! You are alive, my Lord Jesus! And you show me in so many ways, again and again, your living Presence in my life. And while that is true, you also want me to remember that in order to show your Life in me, I will need to forgive, and sometimes that forgiveness will break me. Just as through your brokenness, you forgave the world that put you on the Cross. Come, Holy Spirit, fill me with your love and power. It is only through your power that I can be an ambassador of your love to a world that needs you. Amen.

SONG: CLICK HERE

Please look forward to our next set of devotions that begins on Monday.

BIBLE PASSAGE
 [Please read and meditate on the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]

Jesus’ Easter Encounters – Simon Peter
Its first hint is in Mark’s Gospel when the angel tells the frightened women at the empty tomb to “go tell his disciples, and Peter” that the risen Jesus would meet them (Mark 16:7). Paul also writes, “… (Jesus) was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter), and then to the Twelve (1 Corinthians 15:4-5). Jesus would later ask Peter about his love (John 21:15f). However, this Easter encounter (…and has appeared to Simon, i.e.. Peter; Luke 24:34) has no details, just the mention that it happened. I can guess why Jesus met Peter personally. Luke records that after Peter denies Jesus three times, Jesus turns and looks at him, and then Peter goes out and weeps bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). There is a “Godly sorrow that leads to repentance” (2 Corinthians 7:10), and Jesus knows the sorrow and pain of people who feel they have disappointed him. So it would be completely in Jesus’ character to go as the Risen Lord and show 3-time deniers that He still loves them and still accepts all “Peters” with their tears.

Prayer: Just like Peter I have disappointed you often, Lord. Whether it was in my relationships or in my decisions, I have acted as if you were not alive or real. I was more afraid of what the world would think of me than of living as a follower of the Risen Lord Jesus. Forgive me, Lord. I know you will never give up on me – especially when I turn to you and allow your love to wash over me. As the One who overcame Satan and death, remind me that when I fall, all you want for me to do is to fall back into your grace, so that you can pick me up. Even when it is done again and again. Thank you for constantly offering your Resurrection love and power. Fill me afresh with your living Presence, my Lord and my God. Amen.

SONG : CLICK HERE