DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Ephesians 2 (Focus vs. 1-10)
MEMORY VERSE
“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Ephesians 2:10
ACKGROUND
My friend needed to practice parallel parking before her driving test that was coming up soon. I was prayerfully looking for a safe place to teach her when the idea came to go to a neighborhood church with an ample parking lot.
After we set up what turned out to be a less-than-ideal practice parking space using folding chairs, she made her first attempt to back into the spot between the chairs.
Then the pastor came out with orange cones in hand, similar to the kind used in a driving test. He introduced himself and asked, “Could you use these cones?”
He explained that just last week their church family had discussed ways to help neighbors new to the community. “We talked about letting people use these cones in our parking lot for parking practice.” They had prepared to help others, and what a blessing they were for my friend.
Prepared to help others. That’s exactly what God did for us and in us. He “prepared in advance” for us to do good works and care for others (Ephesians 2:10).
The apostle Paul says, “We are God’s handiwork” (v. 10), so we serve under His direction and for His purposes. Salvation is a gift from God (v. 8), who is “rich in mercy” (v. 4).
Our good works are a work of God through us. He’s prepared us and will give us the compassion and wisdom we need to reach out to others.
Anne Cetas
INSIGHT
The creation account in Genesis says that “God created mankind in his own image” (1:27). Ephesians 2:10 also declares that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Jesus set the example for us during His earthly ministry by doing “many good works from the Father” (John 10:32).
Peter elaborates and says: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, . . . he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
The fruit of the Spirit’s work in us is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). As believers in Christ, the Spirit will provide the opportunities and empowerment to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and do good works.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
How has God gifted you? In what ways could you join with others to serve people in your community?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s
Post)
“As believers in Christ, the Spirit will provide the opportunities and empowerment to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and do good works.”
PR’s TAKE
“Salvation is a gift from God…”. Our good works are a work of God through us.” *Adapted – Today’s Post
“We are wired to do good works.” Pr
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to see others’ needs and know what You want me to do so You may be seen.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“TO THE WORK!
To the work! to the work! we are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on:
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
To the work! to the work! let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on…
To the work! to the work! there is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the name of Jehovah exalted shall be,
In the loud-swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on…
To the work! to the work! in the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward;
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on:
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
