Friday June 17, 2022

Today is Friday, June 17 and this week we are studying Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter two.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to become still. I silence my thoughts and center myself on the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am here to grow closer to you and to hear what message you have for me. Reveal more of yourself through these holy scriptures and speak to my heart today. Amen.

I praise my wonderful Creator with the words of Psalm 8.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet

Psalm 8:3-6

Pause and Pray

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, he has described the full good news of the Gospel and the way God has executed his marvelous plan of reconciliation through Christ. Paul wanted all believers to know that in Christ, they are a new creation. Their old way of living is gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). In transformed and reedeemeed lives as followers of Jesus, we are called to live in the world in a very specific way. We are to be Christ’s ambassadors, on his behalf and showing the world his glory. This was all part of God’s plan for his people.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

God chose me to walk through life with him as it was in the Garden of Eden, uncovered and unashamed. The Creator of the cosmos and everything in it knows me deeply and intimately. He knows my hangups and imperfections caused by the original sin and by sending his Son as a sacrifice, he freed me from bondage to walk in freedom. Garden of Eden freedom. My life before knowing Jesus was so far from the life I get to know now. He gave me his Spirit to live in me, remind me of everything Jesus taught, and to guide me to walk according to his Word. He gave me every spiritual blessing in Christ, more than I am even aware of. I am equipped to live in this world as a follower of Jesus who is growing in holiness and I get to participate in the renewal of all things on earth. God new this about me when he set me in this time and place. He gave me everything I need to live a life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ask: Do I go through the day following my own plans, or do I seek out what God has for me that day? When I look at my life over the past month, are my decisions and habits in line with the practices of Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I praise you for your wonderful handiwork. Thank you for crafting me and the world I get to be part of. Help me to follow your will. Lead me, guide me, and walk beside me today. I reread the words from Ephesians and seek your message for me today.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

I read God’s Word for me and instead of springing to action to do work, I begin everything as Paul did in his letter to the Ephesians – with praise and thanksgiving. God made it clear that there is nothing that we could do to save ourselves. Our salvation is a gift from him. What do I need to set aside today in order to give God the glory he deserves? How can I let everything in my life flow out of gratitude? What does God have in store for me today and how can I make sure I don’t miss it?

Pause and Pray

Lord, I long to make my life a song of praise to you. Let your will be done in my life today and always. Amen.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17

I leave this time of prayer seeking to grow in holiness and participate in God’s renewal of all things.

Amen