Category: Ephesians

Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

This time of year, I don’t have a lot of patience. I’m not very generous or understanding or loving. I’m just tired. And then God puts this verse so squarely in my path that I can’t avoid it and says, “Beth, precious child, pay attention. This message is for you.”

Ephesians 2:6-7 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

We love because God first loved us. “Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions”–transgressions such as frustration, impatience, lack of generosity, lack of understanding, lack of grace for others. Lord, I’m listening. Help me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your transforming grace. Thank You for stopping me in my tracks, for whispering to my heart. Help me to forgive myself and others for shortcomings. Continue to transform me in Your image. Amen.

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

Have a blessed day.

Ephesians 2:18 For through [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

I want to talk about verse 22: “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” If you’ll permit me to get my grammar nerd on for a moment, “are being built” is in the continuous present (or present progressive) tense, meaning–according to Grammarly.com–that the action or condition “is happening right now, frequently, and may be ongoing.”

Ephesians 2:19-20 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

I don’t know about you, but I have a really hard time waiting for things that take time, but verse 22 being in the continuous present gives me hope. I am certainly not currently a completed dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. I fail every day in a million little ways in my walk with Christ. But I keep trying. And verse 22 implies that this process of becoming is just that–a process, not a done deal. It’s ok that I’m not there yet. I’m still a work in progress.

Ephesians 2:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 

Lord, Thank You that You don’t expect perfection. Thank You for Your grace, compassion, and mercy. Thank You that I am Your work in progress, Your masterpiece in the making. Help me, always, to strive to become a little bit more like You every single day. Help me to show myself and others grace, compassion, and mercy when we mess up, as we inevitably will. Thank You that in You, I am “being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Amen.

Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Have a blessed day.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

I struggle with the idea of “being” versus “doing.” In my mind, my worth is often tied up in what I’m able to do. But Ephesians 2:4-5 reminds me that God’s great love, His mercy, His grace alone saved me. Nothing I did, nothing I could do, nothing I am (except a deeply, fiercely loved child of God), nothing saved me. Only God.

Ephesians 2:6-7 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

Verses 8-9 remind me again that I am incapable of saving myself. God’s grace alone saved me. Yet still I struggle, feeling like my worth is tied up in my *doing* and not solely in my *being.* To sit, to breathe, to think “I am enough simply because I am His” feels wrong.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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. 

Lord, Thank You for Your fierce, merciful love. Thank You for my salvation, which can only come from You. Help me to understand that You have work prepared in advance for me to do–not so that I can earn Your love or my salvation, but because I love You. My *being* is enough for You. My *doing* is my gift to You. Help me never to forget the difference. Amen.

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

Have a blessed day. I love you.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Yesterday was not a stellar day. In the realm of being a good wife, mother, Christian, I feel I failed pretty miserably. Looking back at the fruits of the spirit in Galatians, I don’t think I embodied any of them.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

My caustic inner critic had me awake much of the night, replaying all my failures. But Ephesians 6:10 reminds me to be strong in the Lord, not in my oft ridiculous humanity. It’s not about me—my strength, my power, my grace. It is, it should be, all about my Savior.

Ephesians 6:23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, Yesterday was a Really. Bad. Day. Forgive me. Help those whom I love deeply forgive me. Help me to forgive myself. I love You with an undying love, Lord. Help me to allow myself Your grace. Amen.

Ephesians 6:24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Have a blessed day.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

If I were grading myself on the basis of these verses, I would not score very well. I fail, daily, in Every. Single. Category. But I sincerely think that God doesn’t expect perfection. He KNOWS me, knows my faults and shortcomings, knows my struggles. He doesn’t expect perfection, He expects growth.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Commentary says God not only wants us to grow old in Him. He also wants us to grow more mature in Him, getting just a little bit better, stronger, more mature in Christ every day. With effort and attention, I think I can do that.

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Dear Lord, Being perfect as You are perfect seems absolutely out of my abilities. Thank You for the understanding that You don’t expect perfection, You expect growth, maturity. Help me grow and mature in You a little more each day. Amen.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Have a blessed day.