Page 11 - Livin Light Issue 81

Friday June 9 - Saving grace
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
Gifts are my love language, which can be difficult for family members who are, shall we say, more lacking in that area. Over the years I’ve learned to adjust my expectations and they’ve sometimes surprised me with the wonderful presents they’ve found. But imagine receiving a gift from God. How would you visualise that encounter? What present would you most like to receive from your heavenly Father?
Paul speaks again about grace, the subject that he can’t keep away from. Maybe he centres on it because he was the chief offender – he calls himself the ‘worst of sinners’ for the way he persecuted believers (1 Timothy 1:15). But God stopped him in his tracks (literally) and saved him by grace. Paul therefore doesn’t want the Ephesian Christians to miss this amazing gift from the heart of God. Indeed, he reminds them that this saving faith, this salvation, comes only from God and is nothing they have engineered.
How are you at receiving gifts? Are you like I can be at times, somewhat critical or disappointed? If so, perhaps we project that expectation onto God, thinking that he too won’t meet our deepest needs. But he promises to do so with and through Christ’s presence in us. He gives us the biggest gift of all – salvation through Jesus Christ and a life of grace.
Saving Jesus, thank you for the sacrifice you made in dying for me. Help me to embrace your grace. Amen.
Saturday June 10 - God’s handiwork
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
Not long ago, a friend made me a prayer shawl. She took photographs of each stage of the process, so that I could delight in its making. From the selection of the colours and type of yarn to the setting up of the loom, I was captured by her skill and passion – and especially how she prayed for me throughout the making of this gift. Now I delight in sharing this amazing shawl with those who go on retreat with me. God seems to wrap us in his love through this tangible means of grace.
If this woven wrap can be so meaningful, imagine how much more are we God’s handiwork, ‘created in Christ Jesus to do good works’. All of this grace is not only for our good, but for us to share with a hurting world. Like the prayer shawl being made to bless me and those I lead in prayer, so too does God help us share his love with others.
Why not, as we come to the end of our week together, take a few moments to reread this passage from Ephesians? As you do, ask God through his Spirit to highlight to you certain words, phrases or ideas that he’d like you to embrace. Know that he loves and delights in you as his intricate handiwork.
Creator God, help me to do the good works you have prepared for me in advance. I love you. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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