Focus intently upon the Word, in order
to be changed.
Do you ever get so busy with your daily routine of life that you that you don’t take time to focus on the blessings from God? I know I do. This past week has kept me busy and preoccupied with the new student enrollment and scheduling appointments with my current students in the teacher education program. It seems that I have been so inundated with work and students that I have had very little time for reflecting on the greatness of God and all the things He has done for me. As I moved into the weekend, I began putting a bit more focus on God and the sacrifices made by Him on my behalf.
This week in our devotion time, we are going to spend a great deal of time reflecting on praise and adoration to God for all that He has done for us. With this being the beginning of a new school year, this is an ideal time to get a new focus that will carry us through this new year.
By Grace Through Faith
Sunday: Read
Ephesian 2:1-7 “And you were dead in
the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this
world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at
work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions
of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by
nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in
mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead
in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been
saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places
in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable
riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” This is a long passage, but it is very
important to consider as we move into the new school year. The first verse says
that we were dead in our transgressions, and it goes on throughout the next
couple of verses to point out our sinful nature and remind us who wa
s
in control of our lives and actions before Christ. Verse 4 brings us to the
realization that because of the great love God had for us, He bestowed His
mercy upon us and provided grace to cover our transgressions and redeem us from
our corrupted life. He saved us from this type of life and gave us hope for our
future. He provided all of this kindness to us through His Son Jesus Christ.
As we are preparing for the beginning of the new school
year, lets all focus today on the what our lives were before Christ and think
about how our lives would be if we did not have Christ. Read this passage again
and in your journal make a list of the actions, attitudes, hurled words, and
thoughts that consumed you last year that you know were not characteristic of a
person of Christ. Look over the list.
Circle the ones that you might still be hanging on to. Now, pray and ask God to
remove those and replace them with an attribute that comes from Him. Make a
commitment that you are going to be different this year and that you will
reflect His grace to others just as He has reflected Grace to you.
Monday: Focus on
Ephesians 2:1-7 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of
disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh,
carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children
of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of
the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and
raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his
grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Today
let’s meditate on the same passage as yesterday, but today let’s focus on our
the fact that our old ways are gone and no longer a part of our lives. Think about
how you want to be with your children, your husband, your work, and your
friends. Let go of the negative aspects that controlled your thoughts, words,
and actions from the previous year. Focus on how you want to be perceived by
others in your life this year. Focus on how you want God to see you.
Make a list in your journal of the ways you want to behave
and think this new school year. Number that list according to the top priority
down. Begin praying and ask God to enable you to become transformed as you
start this new school year with your children, husband, work, and friends. Keep
in mind that as sure as you make a commitment to act in transformed ways, you
will be tempted and tested. Stay strong and keep your focus on God and what He
desires to do in you and through you. If you start each day by spending time
with God first, you will be better equipped to face the temptations and tests
with success. You will also want to keep your focus on God throughout the day
and call upon Him to guide you and enable you.
Tuesday:
Focus on Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of
works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in
them.” Today we will turn our focus to the
wonderful grace that God has bestowed upon us through His son Jesus Christ. He
provided us with salvation that He graciously gave us as a gift. There was no
charge, and we did not have to work for it either. Therefore, we have no right
to boast in ourselves because all that we have and have accomplished is not of
our own doing, but is strictly by the doing of God Almighty through His Son.
Verse ten points out that we have been created to be His
workmanship through Jesus Christ, so we may accomplish the good works God
planned and prepared before we were even born. We are told in this passage that
for these reasons, we should walk in the path that God has prepared for us.
In your journal today, list your daily activities. Now,
take a few minutes and reflect on that list. How much of that list is focused
on spending time with God? How much on that list is completely in line with
what God has called you to do? Do you need to make some changes? Spend time
seeking God and aligning your daily routine and plans with those that God has
planned for you.
Wednesday:
Focus on Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of
works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in
them.” Today let’s spend some reading the
same verses as yesterday. Today, turn your prayers toward the plans that God
has set for you. Perhaps yesterday God revealed to you that you have not been
completely following His plan. Reflect on the thought that you were not created
to live for yourself, but you were created to live for God and His plan. He has
plans to accomplish, and He chose you and created you in a special and unique
way, so you could be a part of accomplishing His plan. This is a special honour
that God has created you for a special purpose and task.
If you already know the plan that God intends for you to
follow, write that in your journal. If you are struggling with letting go of
your plans and desires, write that in your journal. Write down the reasons you
are holding back. Now, begin praying that God will give you the desire and the
ability to let go of yourself and your plans and accept and willingly slide
into His plans.
If you are not quite sure what His plans are for you at
this time, write that in your journal and begin praying that God will reveal to
you your purpose. Ask Him to help you have a desire to earnestly seek Him and
His desires. God will reveal His plans to you when you are completely ready to
accept whatever He has in store for you.
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