Ephesians 2:8-9
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is filled with weighty and wonderful theology that deserves our attentive meditation. This is one of the most simply stated truths, so much so that children are encouraged to memorize it. In fact, if you as an adult have not done so, I assure you that meditation on this verse will be most profitable. Each phrase is a well of living water to satisfy our deepest longings for truth.
It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved—not of yourself and not of your works. Salvation is a gift. There will be absolutely no boasting in heaven. We are but recipients of the undeserved gift of salvation. This is what grace is: undeserved treasure freely given to us at great cost—God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. God gets all the glory, and we get all the joy of His presence.
So how can these massive and glorious truths change our perspective today? They can make us smile like a child receiving the one gift he wanted the most on Christmas. Let your inner child smile with joy because you have received the one gift for which you have actually yearned your entire life, and one which you will cherish for all eternity.
Tom Day
Exodus 20:14
The most sacred intimate relationship on this earth, outside of our relationship to God, is the marriage relationship. God created a relationship to be so strong and close that no child, no friend, and no parent should stand between a husband and wife. For a relationship to be this close and strong, it must be protected and it must be cherished. The ultimate offense to this relationship, an act that can give it a death blow from which it may never recover is to be unfaithful to your spouse.
God created marriage to be a relationship where you can be naked or exposed in every way imaginable — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and still feel safe. To look elsewhere, to lust after another whom is outside of that relationship destroys the bond that was established by your vows before God. It destroys trust, it destroys the security the relationship provided, and thereby destroys the intimacy that such a relationship was created to have.
To be faithful in your marriage both in action and in thought is to free the relationship to grow. It will grow in trust, grow in your ability to feel comfortable with this person who sees all your flaws, and grow in your understanding of God’s faithfulness and grace towards us. Protect the sacredness of your marriage relationship and enjoy the benefits that come flowing out of it despite the many foxes that try and spoil the vines (Song of Solomon 2:15).
Pastor Jason Witt
Joshua 7:19
Are you currently living in sin and think you can hide it and get away with it? Confess it to the Lord now and repent! In 1 John 1:9, the Bible tells us “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God takes the issue of sin seriously. You might think you are getting away with it because you haven’t been caught or think that this sin only affects you, but the truth is it doesn’t. God sees your sin and your sin also affects those around you.
Achan is a good example of how hidden sin will be found out sooner or later and how your sin effects those around you. When it does, it has devastating effects. We read how the children of Israel were defeated at Ai because God was disobeyed. We also read how his family was affected because of his sin. Maybe the reason why we can’t seem to move forward is because there is some sort of unconfessed sin that is holding us back. Let’s make some time today to read Joshua 7.
Confessing my sin to the Lord,
Joshua Navarro
Ephesians 4:1-3
We all have a responsibility to be at peace with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are to make every effort to keep unity among us. Yes, we all have different personalities, backgrounds, likes and dislikes, but as Christians, we are all in-dwelt with the same Spirit of God.
We are the spiritual body of Christ, and the most effective way to have unity is to give up our right to ourselves, because when we do, Christ will have an unhindered way in our life. Believers who are in Christ will have the mind of Christ, and there will be a spiritual oneness and a visible unity for the world to see.
Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Pastor Doug Hardin
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Have you ever wondered why there is always sorrow in your hearts when things come to an end? Maybe it was a friend who moved out of state, or a position at work that you left, or the end of a retreat. For some reason, I was even sad when I graduated high school. Even silly things, like when you come to the end of your favorite TV series brings sorrow.
Here Solomon gives us insight to why we feel that sorrow, God has place eternity in our hearts. We are all longing for something that never ends. God has placed eternity in our hearts so that we would long for the things that only He can provide! As you long for these things, be sure to look to Him.
For the King,
Pastor Daniel Batistelli
Philippians 3:13-14
I love how honest Paul is about everything in his life. If you are familiar with Paul and his writing, you know he is an open book about his past and what the Lord is doing and showing him now. Paul says in the first part of this verse, “Guys, I am not claiming I have perfected everything.”
That is so important to note because what comes next shows us Paul’s mindset as he lived his life. He didn’t get hung up on what was in the past. He moved forward, knowing that what lies ahead is the finish line where the Lord is calling him. It isn’t easy either, because Paul says that he is pressing toward a goal that is upward where the prize is Christ.
Press toward the finish line! Run to Christ knowing that what happened yesterday, a week ago, even an hour ago is done and the Lord wants your focus on what He is doing right now. Run strong toward your Savior!
In Christ,
Pastor Sean Boehm
Ephesians 6:24
This is how Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians. After an extensive dissertation on what God has done for us and what we should be doing for Him, Paul’s last statement reminds us how important it is that our motivation in all things should be love. And not just a general love, but a love for Jesus that is without compromise or blemish.
If there is a particular restaurant you REALLY love, you are bound to tell everyone to eat there. Your love for the place is so genuine you are willing to stake your reputation on it. We should be in love with Jesus that much and even more. Our love for Him should be something that just pours out of us wherever we go. And the promise Paul gives is that through this we will be walking in God’s abundant grace. What could be better than that?
Come eat a Jesus’ place, the food’s the best,
Pastor Gerard Deleeuw
Song of Solomon 2:7
When I teach young people about dating, I focus on three verses. The first verse is Ephesians 6:1, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Their parents will set the guidelines for what they feel is acceptable in their child’s dating life, though I do caution the young people their guidelines should line up with God’s word.
The second verse is 2 Corinthians 6:14 which reads, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Once they begin dating, they should be going out with Christians, those who believe in Jesus and have their same Spiritual values.
Finally, the third verse is Matthew 5:28, which is Jesus saying, But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So once you are dating, what are you allowed to do? Not much, according to Jesus and the verse above. Those words in that verse above are written three times in the Song of Solomon and is a warning not to rush the physical part of a relationship before marriage. Judging by the actions I’ve seen lately in young people, this can’t be emphasized enough.
Train up your child in the way he or she should go,
Pastor Ron Kitchell
2 Timothy 1:7
Timothy, though Paul’s favorite disciple, was completely unlike Paul. Timothy was reserved, retiring in approach, and quiet and hesitant. Yet his calling to be the pastor in Ephesus would require strong and bold leadership, especially in confronting the false teachers who were dominating the landscape. Paul tells his prized student here that fear did not come from the Lord. However, power to serve Him, love to motivate, and a clear understanding of what was needed were the very things the Holy Spirit would supply.
I love that for God has chosen each of us to serve in ways that may frighten us were it not for knowing He would do the work in us and through us if we would but look to Him. When fear and weakness challenge us, may the Holy Spirit empower you with wisdom and love to accomplish great things in His name. With that outlook we, like Timothy, will fruitfully keep the course.
Power, love, and wisdom from Him,
Pastor Jack Abeelen
If you could have dinner with one celebrity or public figure, who would it be? Wouldn’t it be incredible to have that individual ask to visit you at home? Well, there’s a King who represents greater royalty and power than anyone who has ever lived, and He wants to do just that.
The Bible tells us that it’s Jesus Christ, the King of kings. Jesus talks about our life like it’s a home. He says that He’s standing outside the door of our lives. He’s knocking and hoping we’ll invite Him in. If you do open the door and invite Him in, He promises to bring meaning, companionship, strength, and love that will stand up in the face of all of life’s demands. Jesus offers us everything we need to live a complete and purposeful life.
How about it? Why not open the door today? You can have dinner with the King of kings, forever and ever. Now, that’s truly incredible!
Pastor William Del Casale
