But God
Bible Devotional
Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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.
What is your “But God” testimony? We will come back to this question towards the end. Let’s do a quick review of Ephesians chapter 1.
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
In Ephesians chapter 1, the author, the Apostle Paul, takes us to the heavenly places and speaks about the things of God from heaven to us on earth. That we are predestined by God before the foundation of the world, and for those who believe in God, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
But in Ephesians chapter 2, Paul takes us into a different direction. He takes us to the depths of darkness of who we were before and then into the land of grace because of Jesus. Today, I will focus on Ephesians 2:1-10.
Here is the basic outline of Ephesians 2.
Ephesians 2 Outline Verses
1-3 What we are saved from
4-10 What we are saved for
11-22 What we are saved by
For this devotional, we are going to focus on “What we are saved from,” and “What we are saved for.” Ephesians chapter 2 offers so much great insight that I decided to do a verse-by-verse explanation of verses 1-10. I was originally going to just pick some key highlights of chapter 2, but there was so much great information that I couldn’t skip any of it. But for today, I can only do verses 1-10. So, are you ready? Let’s dig into God’s Word.
Ephesians 2:1 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Paul begins his message with “and you.” What a way to get your attention, “And You!” So, this is about you and me. So the next question is, “What about you and me?” So what Paul is about to do is to give us a picture of who we were before being “born again,” and that we “were dead in our trespasses and sins.”
Now, the dead here refers to being spiritually dead. You can be physically alive but spiritually dead. Have you ever seen people like that, where they are alive physically and functioning because of work, but they seem so spiritually dead? Now, you can see that some people look tired or stressed, right? I mean, you can tell those people are tired and stressed, but there are some people today who are living, but their spirits are completely gone. That is who Paul is talking about when he says, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins.”
Pastor Joe, isn’t the word trespass and sin the same thing? Great question. Let’s break these two words down.
The Greek word for trespass is paraptōma pronounced par-ap'-to-mah, meaning to fall beside or near something, but nowhere found. An intentional offense and disobedience. A conscious crossing of boundaries set by God.
For example, the law is set, but you intentionally break it. God has set a boundary, but we cross the line, or we break the boundary. That is trespass. The highway speed limit is 55, but I can push it to 64 because if it gets to 65, I could get a speeding ticket. So, I am consciously crossing the boundaries set by the law, and that is called trespass.
Sin in Greek is hamartia pronounced ham-ar-tee'-ah, meaning to be without a share in, to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, and to violate God's law.
Now, I want you to hone in on the words, “to be without a share in.” This meaning of sin implies that when you and I sin, we miss out on, or lose a share of, God’s purpose and plan in our lives. When we sin, we miss out on something great that God is doing. Our sin separates us from God, and we miss out on the wonderful plan God has for us. Sin divides our relationship with God, and we miss out. We are to be without a share in God’s kingdom when we sin. We will miss out on God’s share when we sin!
That is why it says that when we sin, “we miss the mark.” When you and I sin, we are missing the real objective in life. Remember, God’s objective for us is to be holy, set apart, and consecrated before God.
1 Peter 1:16 (ESV)
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
God’s command for us is to be holy and set apart, so we don’t miss the mark, and so that we can have a share in God’s kingdom plans. That was a radical thinking of the concept of sin.
So, whether it is sin or trespass, the results are the same. You lose a share in God’s purpose and plan, and your sin and trrespasses separates you from God. You are spiritually dead as a result of our sin and trespass.
So, think of sin as this: no one has to teach you how to hate. No one has to teach you how to be jealous. We do these things on our own, right? I don’t have to go to you and teach you how to hate or be jealous. This sin nature that we all have comes from our weak flesh. That is sin, our weak flesh, and the trespass is our intentional disobedience.
Ephesians 2:2 Amplified Bible
in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].
I’m going to have you focus on the word “walk.” Now this is very interesting, because in English, it uses the word “walked.” And in Greek, this is what it means.
Walk in Greek is peripateō pronounced per-ee-pat-eh'-o, meaning to tread all around, i.e., walk at large or meandering.
When you think of walking, you think of going outside for a walk, but you eventually come home. You walk with the objective of reaching one destination from another. That is what most people do. But this “walk” in verse two is a different kind of walk. For example, when I go to the mall, I am in and out in a few minutes. I walk to the store, get my stuff, walk back, and then head home. My wife, on the other hand, meanders, and she treads all around or walks at large.
When I go to the mall with my wife, the first thing I do is look for a chair or something to sit on. Because my wife will be in the store for some time, comparing prices and finding the lowest cost, or just window-shopping. Once, we went to two malls just to find the cheapest one. Just in one mall, she can be there for hours on end, and so she meanders and treads all around. So, can you imagine two malls? I thank the Lord for online shopping now. Now, I really want to know why so many people do “window shopping.” I just don’t get it. To me, it makes no practical sense. People do “window shopping” online now. I just don’t get it!
So when Paul is talking about this “walk” and how “walk following the ways of this world being influenced by this present age,” you are “treading all around” without any purpose or getting to any spiritual destination. So in essence, when you walk or meander by following the world, you have no spiritual purpose. And that is why you are dead in your trespasses and sins. Your walk separates you from God, and you have no purpose, direction, or meaning in life.
So, when we were meandering, you were walking in the matrix or in a fortress of the world in which you were imprisoned, and you could not get out. At the same time, you want to be free, but you are stuck in this matrix, this fortress, or a stronghold without a life and no real purpose. But then something very powerful comes upon us.
Ephesians 2:3-4 (ESV)
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Do you all get that! All of us were headed towards God’s wrath, but God, being rich in mercy, gave us grace. You were once dead in your trespasses and sins. “But God,” in His mercy, broke you out of the matrix, and when you thought it was an unbreakable fortress, you said, “But God,” set me free in Jesus. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).
When I eat sushi, I really enjoy eating Salmon. In order for salmon to spawn or make baby fish, they have to swim upstream against very powerful currents, and that is called the “Salmon Run.” They actually navigate hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles from the open ocean back to the very streams where they were born. This journey takes incredible physical endurance, precise navigation skills, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
And like salmon, many of us go through challenges in life; we feel like we are swimming against the current. Did you know that a dead fish will go with the current or the flow of the river? But when God gets a hold of you, you say, “But God, who is rich in mercy, will give me the strength, the incredible physical endurance, and the ability to overcome and get to my destination.
So, when we say “But God,” that means it was God who was the “great intervention” because we were walking in the course of this world, controlled by Satan. But God says that I will give you the strength to overcome and to help you reach your destination.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Joseph was hated by his brothers, left for dead, and sold into slavery. But later, Joseph, who ruled over Egypt and was second only to Pharaoh, was able to forgive his brothers because he recognized the sovereignty of God’s plan and His goodness and mercy. This is what Joseph told his brothers.
Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
So do you have a “But God” testimony? That is the challenge that I want to give to you: Give your “But God” story to a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. Preferably to a non-believer and share your story.
Ephesians 2:5-6 (ESV)
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Now, verse 6 can be a bit confusing, so let me try to explain this as simply as possible. Let’s break this down.
So, before we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, you and I were spiritually dead. That was the spiritual position we were in before Christ. Our spiritual position was dead, and not seated with God. But once we get our hearts right before God, we are in a new position as children of God.
Dead in our trespasses and sins - Spiritual Position of death
Alive in Christ - New spiritual position seated with Christ Jesus
If you are alive, you're not physically seated with him in the heavenly places, because you are still alive. You have to be dead in order for you to be in heaven, right? But Paul here uses the word “raised us up with him” in the past tense. Paul is not using “raise” or “raising” as in the present, but he is intentionally using the word “raised” as a past tense. Why?
So what Paul is implying is that as a believer in the present, this is what your future will be. When he is using the word “raised” in the past tense, he is talking about you now, about your future. And what is your future as a believer? And your future is that you will be with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I want you to know your position about your future right now.
This is important because I have a lot of people tell me that they are uncertain whether they will be in heaven or not. If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you truly believe that He has died for our sins and trespasses and then on the third day, rose to life, then you are “raised up with him and in the position to be seated with Christ in heaven.” Hallelujah!
Ephesians 2:7 (ESV)
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
When you know that you are “raised up with him and in the position to be seated with Christ in heaven,” then God will take all of eternity to demonstrate to you how much He loves us. Heaven is going to be a constant, ever-going, and never-ending unfolding love of God. That’s what it means when it says, “in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace.”
And as we near the end.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
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 [meaning, you cannot get to heaven by your own will and strength], 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 am going to focus on verse 10 as we close, and this is a very beautiful picture. Now verse 10 has two parts. The first part is what God has done for you, and the second part is what God wants to do through you.
Now, I want to focus on the word “workmanship.” This is what it means in Greek.
Workmanship in Greek is poiēma pronounced poy'-ay-mah means that which has been made, of the works of God as creator. This is where we get our word “Poem” in English.
In other words, we are the work of a poem, or the work of art. We are God’s masterpiece, and God is the artist and a poet of our lives. So Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s great poetry. God is creating us as a beautiful poem.
Romans 1:20 (NLT)
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made (poiēma), they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
So the first poem of God’s masterpiece was the creation, as recorded in Genesis 1:1.
The second poem of God’s masterpiece was you. You and I are His second poem and His masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God has prepared you in advance for God’s kingdom work and positioned you to walk in it. He didn’t just make you work; He positioned you, and all you have to do is say, “Here I am, Lord!”
Listen, your poem has to be read to someone, and your masterpiece has to be shown to somebody.
Listen, if your poem is not read, then no one will hear you.
If your artwork is not shown, then no one can see it.
God, through you, positions your poem in Christ to be heard.
God, through you, places your artwork on display.
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved
What is your but God testimony? Here is the challenge for everyone. Share your "But God" story with a non-believer. Make sure to be in prayer first and seek the Lord with whom God wants you to share. Once God reveals to you who you want to minister to,, then make sure to ask the Holy Spirit to go ahead of you and open up that person's mind and heart. This way, you will know God's timing for you to minister.
As you share your "But God" story, please consider which portion of your "But God" story. Everyone has a lot of "But God" moments, and when sharing, it is best to share a specific story rather than your entire life story. This will help make your story more effective when you share it. As you develop a deeper relationship, you can share more as the Holy Spirit leads.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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.
What is your “But God” testimony? We will come back to this question towards the end. Let’s do a quick review of Ephesians chapter 1.
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
In Ephesians chapter 1, the author, the Apostle Paul, takes us to the heavenly places and speaks about the things of God from heaven to us on earth. That we are predestined by God before the foundation of the world, and for those who believe in God, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
But in Ephesians chapter 2, Paul takes us into a different direction. He takes us to the depths of darkness of who we were before and then into the land of grace because of Jesus. Today, I will focus on Ephesians 2:1-10.
Here is the basic outline of Ephesians 2.
Ephesians 2 Outline Verses
1-3 What we are saved from
4-10 What we are saved for
11-22 What we are saved by
For this devotional, we are going to focus on “What we are saved from,” and “What we are saved for.” Ephesians chapter 2 offers so much great insight that I decided to do a verse-by-verse explanation of verses 1-10. I was originally going to just pick some key highlights of chapter 2, but there was so much great information that I couldn’t skip any of it. But for today, I can only do verses 1-10. So, are you ready? Let’s dig into God’s Word.
Ephesians 2:1 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Paul begins his message with “and you.” What a way to get your attention, “And You!” So, this is about you and me. So the next question is, “What about you and me?” So what Paul is about to do is to give us a picture of who we were before being “born again,” and that we “were dead in our trespasses and sins.”
Now, the dead here refers to being spiritually dead. You can be physically alive but spiritually dead. Have you ever seen people like that, where they are alive physically and functioning because of work, but they seem so spiritually dead? Now, you can see that some people look tired or stressed, right? I mean, you can tell those people are tired and stressed, but there are some people today who are living, but their spirits are completely gone. That is who Paul is talking about when he says, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins.”
Pastor Joe, isn’t the word trespass and sin the same thing? Great question. Let’s break these two words down.
The Greek word for trespass is paraptōma pronounced par-ap'-to-mah, meaning to fall beside or near something, but nowhere found. An intentional offense and disobedience. A conscious crossing of boundaries set by God.
For example, the law is set, but you intentionally break it. God has set a boundary, but we cross the line, or we break the boundary. That is trespass. The highway speed limit is 55, but I can push it to 64 because if it gets to 65, I could get a speeding ticket. So, I am consciously crossing the boundaries set by the law, and that is called trespass.
Sin in Greek is hamartia pronounced ham-ar-tee'-ah, meaning to be without a share in, to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, and to violate God's law.
Now, I want you to hone in on the words, “to be without a share in.” This meaning of sin implies that when you and I sin, we miss out on, or lose a share of, God’s purpose and plan in our lives. When we sin, we miss out on something great that God is doing. Our sin separates us from God, and we miss out on the wonderful plan God has for us. Sin divides our relationship with God, and we miss out. We are to be without a share in God’s kingdom when we sin. We will miss out on God’s share when we sin!
That is why it says that when we sin, “we miss the mark.” When you and I sin, we are missing the real objective in life. Remember, God’s objective for us is to be holy, set apart, and consecrated before God.
1 Peter 1:16 (ESV)
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
God’s command for us is to be holy and set apart, so we don’t miss the mark, and so that we can have a share in God’s kingdom plans. That was a radical thinking of the concept of sin.
So, whether it is sin or trespass, the results are the same. You lose a share in God’s purpose and plan, and your sin and trrespasses separates you from God. You are spiritually dead as a result of our sin and trespass.
So, think of sin as this: no one has to teach you how to hate. No one has to teach you how to be jealous. We do these things on our own, right? I don’t have to go to you and teach you how to hate or be jealous. This sin nature that we all have comes from our weak flesh. That is sin, our weak flesh, and the trespass is our intentional disobedience.
Ephesians 2:2 Amplified Bible
in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].
I’m going to have you focus on the word “walk.” Now this is very interesting, because in English, it uses the word “walked.” And in Greek, this is what it means.
Walk in Greek is peripateō pronounced per-ee-pat-eh'-o, meaning to tread all around, i.e., walk at large or meandering.
When you think of walking, you think of going outside for a walk, but you eventually come home. You walk with the objective of reaching one destination from another. That is what most people do. But this “walk” in verse two is a different kind of walk. For example, when I go to the mall, I am in and out in a few minutes. I walk to the store, get my stuff, walk back, and then head home. My wife, on the other hand, meanders, and she treads all around or walks at large.
When I go to the mall with my wife, the first thing I do is look for a chair or something to sit on. Because my wife will be in the store for some time, comparing prices and finding the lowest cost, or just window-shopping. Once, we went to two malls just to find the cheapest one. Just in one mall, she can be there for hours on end, and so she meanders and treads all around. So, can you imagine two malls? I thank the Lord for online shopping now. Now, I really want to know why so many people do “window shopping.” I just don’t get it. To me, it makes no practical sense. People do “window shopping” online now. I just don’t get it!
So when Paul is talking about this “walk” and how “walk following the ways of this world being influenced by this present age,” you are “treading all around” without any purpose or getting to any spiritual destination. So in essence, when you walk or meander by following the world, you have no spiritual purpose. And that is why you are dead in your trespasses and sins. Your walk separates you from God, and you have no purpose, direction, or meaning in life.
So, when we were meandering, you were walking in the matrix or in a fortress of the world in which you were imprisoned, and you could not get out. At the same time, you want to be free, but you are stuck in this matrix, this fortress, or a stronghold without a life and no real purpose. But then something very powerful comes upon us.
Ephesians 2:3-4 (ESV)
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Do you all get that! All of us were headed towards God’s wrath, but God, being rich in mercy, gave us grace. You were once dead in your trespasses and sins. “But God,” in His mercy, broke you out of the matrix, and when you thought it was an unbreakable fortress, you said, “But God,” set me free in Jesus. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).
When I eat sushi, I really enjoy eating Salmon. In order for salmon to spawn or make baby fish, they have to swim upstream against very powerful currents, and that is called the “Salmon Run.” They actually navigate hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles from the open ocean back to the very streams where they were born. This journey takes incredible physical endurance, precise navigation skills, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
And like salmon, many of us go through challenges in life; we feel like we are swimming against the current. Did you know that a dead fish will go with the current or the flow of the river? But when God gets a hold of you, you say, “But God, who is rich in mercy, will give me the strength, the incredible physical endurance, and the ability to overcome and get to my destination.
So, when we say “But God,” that means it was God who was the “great intervention” because we were walking in the course of this world, controlled by Satan. But God says that I will give you the strength to overcome and to help you reach your destination.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Joseph was hated by his brothers, left for dead, and sold into slavery. But later, Joseph, who ruled over Egypt and was second only to Pharaoh, was able to forgive his brothers because he recognized the sovereignty of God’s plan and His goodness and mercy. This is what Joseph told his brothers.
Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
So do you have a “But God” testimony? That is the challenge that I want to give to you: Give your “But God” story to a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. Preferably to a non-believer and share your story.
Ephesians 2:5-6 (ESV)
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Now, verse 6 can be a bit confusing, so let me try to explain this as simply as possible. Let’s break this down.
So, before we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, you and I were spiritually dead. That was the spiritual position we were in before Christ. Our spiritual position was dead, and not seated with God. But once we get our hearts right before God, we are in a new position as children of God.
Dead in our trespasses and sins - Spiritual Position of death
Alive in Christ - New spiritual position seated with Christ Jesus
If you are alive, you're not physically seated with him in the heavenly places, because you are still alive. You have to be dead in order for you to be in heaven, right? But Paul here uses the word “raised us up with him” in the past tense. Paul is not using “raise” or “raising” as in the present, but he is intentionally using the word “raised” as a past tense. Why?
So what Paul is implying is that as a believer in the present, this is what your future will be. When he is using the word “raised” in the past tense, he is talking about you now, about your future. And what is your future as a believer? And your future is that you will be with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I want you to know your position about your future right now.
This is important because I have a lot of people tell me that they are uncertain whether they will be in heaven or not. If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you truly believe that He has died for our sins and trespasses and then on the third day, rose to life, then you are “raised up with him and in the position to be seated with Christ in heaven.” Hallelujah!
Ephesians 2:7 (ESV)
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
When you know that you are “raised up with him and in the position to be seated with Christ in heaven,” then God will take all of eternity to demonstrate to you how much He loves us. Heaven is going to be a constant, ever-going, and never-ending unfolding love of God. That’s what it means when it says, “in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace.”
And as we near the end.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
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 [meaning, you cannot get to heaven by your own will and strength], 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 am going to focus on verse 10 as we close, and this is a very beautiful picture. Now verse 10 has two parts. The first part is what God has done for you, and the second part is what God wants to do through you.
Now, I want to focus on the word “workmanship.” This is what it means in Greek.
Workmanship in Greek is poiēma pronounced poy'-ay-mah means that which has been made, of the works of God as creator. This is where we get our word “Poem” in English.
In other words, we are the work of a poem, or the work of art. We are God’s masterpiece, and God is the artist and a poet of our lives. So Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s great poetry. God is creating us as a beautiful poem.
Romans 1:20 (NLT)
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made (poiēma), they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
So the first poem of God’s masterpiece was the creation, as recorded in Genesis 1:1.
The second poem of God’s masterpiece was you. You and I are His second poem and His masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God has prepared you in advance for God’s kingdom work and positioned you to walk in it. He didn’t just make you work; He positioned you, and all you have to do is say, “Here I am, Lord!”
Listen, your poem has to be read to someone, and your masterpiece has to be shown to somebody.
Listen, if your poem is not read, then no one will hear you.
If your artwork is not shown, then no one can see it.
God, through you, positions your poem in Christ to be heard.
God, through you, places your artwork on display.
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved
What is your but God testimony? Here is the challenge for everyone. Share your "But God" story with a non-believer. Make sure to be in prayer first and seek the Lord with whom God wants you to share. Once God reveals to you who you want to minister to,, then make sure to ask the Holy Spirit to go ahead of you and open up that person's mind and heart. This way, you will know God's timing for you to minister.
As you share your "But God" story, please consider which portion of your "But God" story. Everyone has a lot of "But God" moments, and when sharing, it is best to share a specific story rather than your entire life story. This will help make your story more effective when you share it. As you develop a deeper relationship, you can share more as the Holy Spirit leads.
Posted in Weekly Devotional