Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Thursday, 9 November 2017 "We're God's Handiwork" by Rudy Morgan - Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 2:1 You used to be dead because of your sins and acts of disobedience. 2 You walked in the ways of the ‘olam hazeh and obeyed the Ruler of the Powers of the Air, who is still at work among the disobedient. 3 Indeed, we all once lived this way — we followed the passions of our old nature and obeyed the wishes of our old nature and our own thoughts. In our natural condition we were headed for God’s wrath, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love 5 that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered. 6 That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, 7 in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift. 9 You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. 10 For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.
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In Ephesians, Paul tells us that God seeks unity in the Christian community under one head, Jesus Christ. As such, all Christians should act lovingly toward each other. The concept of living a lifestyle of love is exciting and refreshing for God’s children. It all starts when someone who was dead in sin and rebellion against God is delivered and made alive in Christ through God’s grace offered freely to all. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast” (2:8-9).
Having been made alive in Christ, the body of Christ must grow in Christ-likeness. This will be evident through good works performed for the glory of our Savior. Faith is made available for the most unlikely, and the redeemed are free to enjoy the most enriching lifestyle anyone can have in this world.
The “good works” the church attempts to do are often imperfect, but God evaluates the community of faith by the pure intent of our hearts, which only He can see perfectly. Remember, our deeds are not for religiosity, but living proof of our love for God and others.---
Hymn for Today:
"Jesus Saves" by Priscilla J. Owens, pub.1882
1. We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
2. Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea;
Echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
3. Sing above the battle strife:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
4. Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Indeed, just as the body without a spirit is dead, so too faith without actions is dead.(James 2:26)
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Please pray:
Please pray for the new believers from the JESUS film showing as they are discipled in Mesoamerica.
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This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
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Ephesians 2:1 You used to be dead because of your sins and acts of disobedience. 2 You walked in the ways of the ‘olam hazeh and obeyed the Ruler of the Powers of the Air, who is still at work among the disobedient. 3 Indeed, we all once lived this way — we followed the passions of our old nature and obeyed the wishes of our old nature and our own thoughts. In our natural condition we were headed for God’s wrath, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love 5 that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered. 6 That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, 7 in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift. 9 You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. 10 For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.
---
In Ephesians, Paul tells us that God seeks unity in the Christian community under one head, Jesus Christ. As such, all Christians should act lovingly toward each other. The concept of living a lifestyle of love is exciting and refreshing for God’s children. It all starts when someone who was dead in sin and rebellion against God is delivered and made alive in Christ through God’s grace offered freely to all. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast” (2:8-9).
Having been made alive in Christ, the body of Christ must grow in Christ-likeness. This will be evident through good works performed for the glory of our Savior. Faith is made available for the most unlikely, and the redeemed are free to enjoy the most enriching lifestyle anyone can have in this world.
The “good works” the church attempts to do are often imperfect, but God evaluates the community of faith by the pure intent of our hearts, which only He can see perfectly. Remember, our deeds are not for religiosity, but living proof of our love for God and others.---
Hymn for Today:
"Jesus Saves" by Priscilla J. Owens, pub.1882
1. We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
2. Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea;
Echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
3. Sing above the battle strife:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
4. Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
---
Thought for Today:Indeed, just as the body without a spirit is dead, so too faith without actions is dead.(James 2:26)
---
Please pray:
Please pray for the new believers from the JESUS film showing as they are discipled in Mesoamerica.
---
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
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