Tag: Aaron Winner

Glad in God’s Guidance

Old Testament: Job 13 & 14

Poetry: Psalm 37

New Testament: John 17

Whether it is my teenagers at school or my three-agers at home, much of my day is filled with offering corrections for behavior. I have often wondered how many times I say “no” within the course of 24 hours.  As both a teacher and a father, I know that the guidance that I offer is constructive and for the benefit of my children, but rarely is it received with thanks. I get it. When I am offered criticism, even more so when it is justified, I am defensive.  If I would put the same effort in my adjustment as I did my defense, I would find myself rapidly growing professionally, personally, and spiritually. For every one of us, we should be glad of just criticism with good intentions because someone has decided to improve us instead of letting us remain as we once were.

“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. This also will be my salvation, For a godless person cannot come before His presence.” Job 13:15-16

More than anyone else, our Heavenly Father is interested in improving the quality of our life we have now to prepare us for the life to come.  When we are in a rut, He doesn’t let us lay in the muck and the mire.  Our God is actively working on our hearts, imploring us to read His Holy Word or listen to His people speaking truth into our lives. Either one of these can be a tough pill to swallow. According to Hebrew chapter 4, the Word of God is a two-edged sword that cuts deeps, separating the bone and marrow.  It isn’t merely a flesh wound, but a fatal strike against our spirit of selfishness in order to die, so Christ may live in us. (Gal 2:20)

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” – John 17:16-19

But are we glad for this guidance? Are we asking for these amendments to be placed into our lives? Maybe this is where we need to change our prideful spirit in order to trust in God’s plan and walk closer to Him.  This means letting go of our justifications for the negligence and sin we continue to carry in our lives.  If you really are putting your hope in God Almighty, let Him slay your heart. He  is beckoning you to forgive your neighbor. He is challenging you to share the Gospel with your friends. He is calling you to set aside your ambition and choose church.  He is imploring you to seek help for addiction. He is challenging your will and way, so He can help you live your life more abundantly. 

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:4-6

The desires of our heart are on the other side of God’s guidance. To delight in God is to live the life He is setting before you.  Trust the process because the Lord will give you gains like no other. He will vindicate and exonerate those who choose Jesus Christ, His Son, above anything else.  Rejoice and be glad that our Heavenly Father is offering direction to help each one of us stay on His straight and narrow way that leads to the coming Kingdom.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What is your typical response to constructive criticism or guidance? Is your response sometimes prompted by selfishness or pride rather than truth?
  2. What do you think of Aaron’s statement: “More than anyone else, our Heavenly Father is interested in improving the quality of our life we have now to prepare us for the life to come”?
  3. How can you better seek God’s guidance, receiving it with gladness and acting upon it?
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Resting in Unfailing Love

Old Testament: Job 11 & 12

Poetry: Psalm 36

New Testament: John 16

There are few moments as peaceful as gazing at the stars on a clear evening.  While it is easy to feel insignificant as you consider expanse and distance of space, it can, ironically, make you feel closer and connected.  I contemplate how Abraham looked at the same stars as a promise of a nation, David pondered the same heavens in the Psalms, and wise men looked to the same sky to follow the sign that a Savior had been born.  While this backdrop has slightly changed since its inception from God, it is a constant source of contemplation of our Creator.

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 36:5, 7

How wonderful to know that our God’s love reaches to the heavens. It literally can find us up in a plane, on a rocket, or wherever the technology of our generation takes us; moreover, his love reaches as far as the heavens, meaning it can find us in any location at any time.  The same is true for his faithfulness.  It endures in any situation, setting, or circumstance.  This combination creates not only a love that can find us, but also a love that can sustain us.  The Love of God is our refuge.  He is our shelter from the storm and the sustenance through scarcity.  Jesus Christ speaks to the weariness of living in the present evil age when he pleaded, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28).” In the ransom of our Savior, and in the comfort of the Spirit of God, we can find rest.

“”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Rest isn’t shut-eye.  It isn’t “me” time.  Finding rest in the unfailing love of God means spending time walking and talking with our Father.  If you want rest, set your alarm a few minutes early to pray over your day and your mission field.  If you want rest, offer praise to God in the middle of the night in the exhaustion of new parenthood.  If you want rest, spend your break at work reading a devotion.  If you want rest, ask for direction in your next steps under the stars. Even though we are guaranteed trouble in this life, when we live in the shadow of our God, we can solace in His enduring love in any time, in any condition, and in any place.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you already know about the stars and heavens God has created? You might enjoy doing even just a few minutes of research on the stars. What impresses you most about the starry night sky God created?
  2. Have you experienced the rest and peace Jesus the Son of God offers? If you have, how would you explain it to someone who hasn’t? If you haven’t, how can you put yourself in a position to come to Jesus, listen to him and receive his peace and rest?
  3. How can you arrange your day – and night – to find more opportunities to find rest in the unfailing love of God?

(I am sorry this is arriving so late in your email inbox. I thought I had published this morning – but apparently had shut the computer before it completed. My apologies.)

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Transcendental Wisdom

Old Testament: Job 9 & 10

Poetry: Psalm 35

New Testament: John 15

I have never been mechanically minded.  I really don’t have a clue how engines or electronics work.  I know gas goes into a car and electricity goes to a TV, but I don’t really know what happens after that.  Inevitably, as a lower middle class family, something is bound to stop, break, and make a questionable noise. In these moments, I really don’t have a clue on where to begin. Thankfully, I live in the information age.  Some saints out there have encountered the same problem and recorded a video of him/herself repairing it.  Time and time again, I follow their instructions step by step, and, with a pretty good success rate, I make the repair without truly understanding every element along the way.

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” – Job 9:10

“How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.” – Job 9:14-15

God makes it clear that we neither have the capacity nor the clearance to know all the inner workings of what is to come.  Job comes to this realization turned revelation that he isn’t, nor can he be, on the same level as God.  God not only created the universe and its governances, but also actively works in it, ordaining His will upon man. His work is endless, infinite, and interconnected through the story of salvation. So when we are faced with trials, decisions, and repair, He alone is the expert that we turn to.  Through His scriptures or through petition in prayer, God offers insight into a wisdom that transcends all others.If we want to know more, we, the branches, must stay connected to the vine, Jesus Christ. He has already given us revelation in the Gospels and through John, detailing the events leading up to the return of Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

“So my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You, who rescues the afflicted from one who is too strong for him, and the afflicted and the poor from one who robs him?” – Psalm 35:9-10

Conversely, we don’t have to understand it all.  We can’t, at least not right now on this side of the Kingdom of God.  We have to follow the Fixer in faith, knowing that picking up the correct part number and knowing the specific function are less important than the repair that needs to take place in our hearts to get us back up and running.  In Psalm 35, David demonstrates this to us by calling upon the promises of God to sustain him and defeat his enemy.  He doesn’t ask to know how to move the pieces, He only wants to know the Mover better.

He knows what is on the other side of the mountain, therefore the steps He chooses for us lead us to His Kingdom. If we never received a new revelation and if God never revealed His specific will for us, we already have access to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, alongside the prescription to live a life for Him. This is eternal, transcendental wisdom, and thank you God for revealing it to us.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you spend enough time contemplating the majesty and greatness of God? What wonders and miracles can you thank Him for today?
  2. How often do you try to raise yourself to God’s level – or lower God to yours? What are the dangers of each?
  3. What wisdom has God already shared with you and how? What is currently beyond your capacity and clearance? Praise God for being who He alone is.
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The Illusion of Control

*Old Testament: Job 7 & 8

*Poetry: Psalm 34

*New Testament: John 14

It is not unusual for me to carry around a Ziploc bag full of fruits and vegetables as I meander across the cafeteria crunching through school lunch. A few years ago, I made changes for the sake of my health, improving my diet and exercising regularly.  I dropped some weight, I felt better, and I was healthier in my late 30s than in the whole of my 20s.  I had finally mastered my body once and for all; however, this control was an illusion.

Early this summer I experienced significant changes to my health.  My heart was beating out of control.  I went from marathon running to huffing and puffing up the short flight of stairs at my house.  I was sweaty, panicked, and dropping pounds no matter what I ate. I was heading, as I now know, full-throttle into a thyroid storm and quickly losing the gains that I had worked so hard to maintain. It was then I was given this sobering reminder: I’m not in control; not even a little bit.

Throughout the course of this week, my goal is to focus on trusting God’s plan.  The rain equally falls on the just and the unjust, but we often fix our gaze on our wet shoes in the puddles and mud. This is where we find Job in Chapter 7.  He ponders the calamities that befall him, and even torment him in his sleep.  He is looking for a reason that God has placed him in this circumstance and even “targeted” him (v.20), removing his wealth, health, and happiness.  In what looks like an ironic spin of Psalm 8, Job asks “What is mankind, that you make so much of them? That you give them so much attention?”  It is a fair question.  Why would God place so much attention on my life, seemingly ruining it, especially when I have put in so much time, effort, and energy into making something good?

We find our focus in the lens of eternity. When we surrender our lives to Christ, our possessions, our status, our health, and the whole of our lives are assets of the Gospel message.  There is profound peace in the perfect plan of our Heavenly Father, but it requires us to relax the white knuckle grip we have over the course of our life.  We must surrender in faith, fully trusting that our storm, our season, our suffering is for the glory of God.   Psalm 34 states when we seek the Lord, our fears are quelled (v. 4) and in His time, he will deliver us (v. 6, 17, 19, & 22). While it is hard not to let our hearts be troubled (John 14:1), God is still good in our struggle, and for many of us, more present to taste and see it, when we are broken, poor, ill, hungry, or in peril.

When things seem out of control, we have to realize they were never in our hands.  Thinking we have the power to redeem or fix our struggle alone means we are intoxicated with our own glory, one that will ultimately fail.  Conversely, if we hand our lives over to Christ, declaring our lives are forfeit for His glory in faith, God will use us in a way that will infinitely diminish what we can accomplish by ourselves.  Thank God, I am not in control, and His perfect will can redeem us all.

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.” – Psalm 34:1-2

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you think and feel when you hear you are not in control?
  2. What evidence do you have to prove you are, or are not, in control?
  3. How can you bring glory to God, even if your feet are in (or have been in) a muddy puddle?
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The Struggle is Real

Old Testament: 2 Kings 15 & 16

Poetry: Psalm 134

New Testament: Ephesians 6

‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12

In 2002 the phrase “the struggle is real” was popularized by Tupac on his posthumous track, “Fame.”  The phrase up to this point was commonly used to discuss poverty, gang violence, racism, as well as more serious topics – until it entered the realm of pop culture. Fast forward ten years, the phrase takes an ironic turn, being used to qualify simple human conflict that was far from struggle. Constant yawns at work because you stayed up too late? The struggle is real.  Starting a new diet where you have to exchange your pasta for salad? The struggle is real. Have trouble opening a pickle jar? The struggle is real.  While this was a quick quip to be funny, it diminishes the real struggles that are faced in the world, forgetting what serious things are being battled in this every single day.

Paul closes his letter, and I close my time as your SGL writer,  by reminding us all that the struggle is indeed real.  Churchy Christians often forget that the struggle isn’t the style of worship music played, that camp is in a different venue, how long the sermon is, the logo that goes on the shirts and the signs, or the color of the carpet.  It is okay to care and have an opinion about these things, but if this is the conflict we have for Christ, this is an ironic, fake drama to distract us from our real issues.  There are greater forces at work trying to destroy the Gospel message. They already have power.  They already make gains.  They already are in control.  Open your eyes and ears, because the struggle is real!

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:13-17

How are we to combat these forces? We need to stop playing the simulation shooter inside the four walls of the church and ready ourselves for the call of duty (see what I did there).  Your salvation is the target. This means you must stand your ground by readying yourself for battle as a soldier.  Only then will you stand firm.

This starts with the tactical belt of truth, which girds up our lions to make us more physically available to fight. We can move against the forces of evil swifter because the truth of God is an innate understanding (Psa 19).  Next, the bulletproof vest of righteousness that covers us along with the shield of faith. There will be shots fired at who we once were, but when we believe, we are covered by the blood of Christ (Phil 3:9-10). We also have the tactical boots of readiness.  These go wherever God calls us.  God makes us ready to move quickly to any terrain, literally or metaphorically, as a peacekeeping force, sharing hope and peace as Christ did (John 14:17).  Finally, there is the helmet of salvation and the semi-automatic Word of God. Though there is a constant barrage of targeted messages aiming for a headshot, we need to remember that God so loved us (John 3:16).  Additionally, we pull the trigger to directly take on evil.  Jesus shows us that we can combat temptation by faith-driven speaking of scripture (Matt 4).

There are forces after you every single day. The struggle is so real. Don’t be a casualty because you are not ready to meet your foe.  Garb yourself in the armor of God, knowing the battle belongs to the Lord.

“Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. (Be Strong In The Lord!) Victory Belongs To The Lord.” 2 Chron. 20:15b

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What ‘fake struggles’ do you spend too much time and effort fighting? What is the real battle that matters? Where do you see evidence of this real battle?
  2. What are the pieces of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 and what is the purpose of each piece?
  3. Is there a piece that you think you use well? Which piece(s) do you need to work with some more to improve your battle against the evil forces?
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Christian in Camouflage

Old Testament: 2 Kings 13 & 14

Poetry: Psalm 133

*New Testament: Ephesians 5

What does a Christian look like? The answer to this question is increasingly difficult.  In the United States today, many Christians are indiscernible from those who do not subscribe to the same faith.  Outside the time spent at church each week, the majority of the week is spent watching the same shows, making the same jokes, engaging in the same relationship, and working the same hours.  A handful of hours a week of being different doesn’t make faith.  While going to church is better than nothing at all, if the Gospel message is not changing your life, you are wasting your time. 

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1

Paul makes the case in Ephesians 5 that we are called to be different.  Not people simply filling out your church time card, but an actual dichotomy, a detectable quality that implies a different standard for your life.  It isn’t just banning a rated-R comedy, but it is changing the spirit of what you find funny.  It isn’t just waiting until marriage to have sex, but it is the constant devotion to your spouse to where your eyes don’t wander.  It is working less hours to have time with your family, but a constant belief that God will provide no matter the circumstance.  These are core elements, that not only change our input, “well we don’t”, but change our output, making our life distinguishably lived for Christ.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20

You may think you are living for Christ, but do you really look and sound different?  Here is a quick quiz to see if you are on board with what Paul is saying to the Ephesians.  While the results here are not conclusive, they should be convicting, challenging us to become more like Christ and less like a Christian in camouflage.

– When people at work talk about a scandalous show, I’m reminded that I missed the last episode.

– Sometimes I let myself or my friends have too many drinks because we’re just having a good time.

– I enjoy a good joke, it doesn’t really matter if it is dirty or clean.

– I only use profanity when I’m around my friends that use it too.

– It doesn’t hurt to look.

– I go to church because it’s really the only time I see my family and friends.

– I just don’t really like worship music; that’s why I don’t listen to it.

– The people around me understand that I don’t always keep my promises.

– I don’t feel like it’s anyone’s business what I do on Saturday night to unwind.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:8-10

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. In Ephesians 5:10 Paul urges us to “find out what pleases the Lord?” How do you think we can do that best? Do you truly desire to please the Lord?
  2. Looking at yourself, what do you see that would fall into the PLEASES the LORD category? What do you see that would be outside of this category?
  3. Are you blending in with the world and missing opportunities to please the Lord and be a witness? Give some specific examples and what you can do differently to make the most of the opportunity instead.
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All Forms of Malice

Old Testament: 2 Kings 11 & 12

Poetry: Psalm 132

New Testament: Ephesians 4

Thou shalt not murder. This is one of the simplest commandments to keep. But the Jews of old and the Western world today lay out conditions of killing another human being that are acceptable, or deserve a lesser degree of punishment.  In this standard, the most murderiest of murders is “murder with malice”.  This means that the crime was premeditated and the intent to kill was established well before the act was carried out – murder happened in the heart first. (Matt 5:21-22) Malice, this intention and desire for evil, has no place in the Christian’s heart.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

Therefore, It is seemingly pretty simple advice when Paul states Christians should get rid of every form of malice.  Christians sin, yes, but isn’t it always accidental or sometimes in the spirit of the moment? Not quite.  The malicious premeditation of a Christian is more elaborate and filled with justifications for their crime.   Christians become apologetics for the immoral actions of a political candidate because their candidate does their bidding. Christians cheat on their taxes with the justification that the government is spending on abortion. Christians gossip under the guise of having more people in prayer over the concern.  Christians withhold the Gospel message from someone because we don’t want to save them (eternal murder with malice).  These premeditated actions of Christians remind me of the unreliable narrator in The Tell-Tale Heart, making elaborate justification for his act in madness.  They are equally crazy.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:25-27

If we can feel the malice forming in our minds, it is time to address the issue. Paul states that we should be humble, gentle, patient, and loving, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we have an issue, ghosting brothers and sisters in Christ is unacceptable and leads to malicious talk and actions. We must find them, and speak truth in love and hope for a unifying and peaceful resolution.  Even further, when someone has an issue with us, we must abide by the same rules, seeking resolution and unity.  The only defense we are ever to play is accounting for the hope we have and the confidence within us about our faith. (1 Pet 3:15)

Be careful, O Christian.  Don’t let the sun go down with anger in your heart. It will turn into bitterness.  It will turn into rage.  It will turn into murder by the standards of Jesus Christ.  Let’s conclude with this ending thought by Paul: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. When was the last time you let the sun go down with anger in your heart? How could you have changed how you dealt with the problem?
  2. What is the danger with anger?
  3. Truthfully consider, is there an area where you lean toward malice? How would you go about getting rid of it? What would you replace it with? How?
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Pride

Old Testament: 2 Kings 9 & 10

Poetry: Psalm 131

New Testament: Ephesians 3

There is no doubt that you have run across the word “pride” more times than usual these last couple of weeks.  While we may not participate in the spirit of this month, it is hard to deny we love celebrating our identities and choices, because in essence, they become the composition of who we are, whether we like it or not.  I am proud of the family I have made, the education I’ve earned, the garden I keep, and the poetry I write.  Each of these things requires time, effort, energy, and dedication to make it beautiful.  These are my efforts, my pride and joy.  However, when I think of God, beginning with the incomparable way he makes the heavens and the earth, my feats are futile.  We are lying to Heavenly Father and ourselves,  if we come to any other emotion than humility.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6

Yet too often we put our hope in the things that are fleeting or powers that are finite. When we depend on our power alone or put our faith in anything other than God, we will fall short.  We have access to a God who stands outside of time and has infinite power, so why is it that we must be weaned off of seeking answers from a lesser source? It is pride.  But aren’t we entitled to something for our efforts?  The answer is yes – death! But by the grace of God, we do not receive it when we humble ourselves and ask for help from Jesus Christ, and then His Father takes over.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. – Psalm 131:2

Paul, a former Pharisee, clothes himself in humility.  He realized that his accumulation of titles, his formal training, his status, and his education were a bogus bunch of accumulation; in fact, these things become his greatest humility when he states, “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me; to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:9)  It is when Paul submits to Jesus that he knows the full reach of the Gospel message.  Paul decreases, Jesus increases, and the Kingdom of God grows by leaps and bounds with Gentiles receiving the Good News.

Let the message of pride be our call to humility.  When we are asked to define who we are, put aside the usual string of things that are our pride and joy.  Let our first answer be we are humbled before God, and that He is the source of all we have and do.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to have “(insert your name here) decrease and Jesus increase”? (based on words of John the Baptist – John 3:30) What would it look like? What would it sound like? What would be different from last week?
  2. What are the things that you COULD take pride in? When is it good to remember God opposes the proud? How can you work at canning the pride and showing more humility?
  3. Look at the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 3. Does this look like your current prayer list? What might you add to your list? If you don’t currently have a written list, give it a try, write it out and revisit it.
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Grace That is Greater

Old Testament: 2 Kings 7 & 8

Poetry: Psalm 130

New Testament: Ephesians 2

“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” Psalm 130:1-2

At the beginning of Ephesians 2, Paul terms the forces at work that draw us away and towards gratifying ourselves as the “Kingdom of the Air.” We hear the wind blowing from this kingdom as we see the work of countless groups that have formed today that are in direct opposition to God.  While these groups follow different threads, they each perpetuate this idea that gratifying your desire is a higher form of living and leads to a more fulfilled life.  This type of living isn’t enlightened; it is carnal.  The “air” is hot and it stinks, so it’s no wonder that this advice leads to a lake of burning sulfur. Yet at some point, we all were residents here.  However, with the waters of baptism, Christ moves us, sending an Uber (not a U-haul because our junk stays behind) and we have made our way out.

“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” – Psalm 130:3,4 

 “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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

God doesn’t see our rap sheet, whether it extends feet or miles. He doesn’t care if we visited sin on the weekend, or if we had set up a mansion in the city center of a false kingdom.  Those who declare Jesus as the Lord of their life are covered in marvelous grace that hides the stain of sin.  This is not a one time deal, but a perpetual gift that will always outweigh our folly.  Grace isn’t earned through righteous acts, but it is the free gift of God received when we acknowledge the trespass, transgression, and unrighteousness.  We put to death the selfishness, and we become alive in Christ, ready to take on the mission which has been prepared by a loving Father. 

“Israel, put your hope in the Lord for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” – Psalm 130:7

Moreover, we are called to show grace to others. While we don’t live in the past, we should remind ourselves of where we once lived.  We do so, not as a comparison, but to remind ourselves that we desperately need the grace of God, and additionally, have benefited from the grace extended by those who follow Him.  Jesus addresses the issue of grace in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, as a response to Peter’s inquiry about how many times we should offer forgiveness (Matt 18:21-35).  We cannot out love God.  We cannot out forgive God.  We cannot out grace God.  Like our Heavenly Father, let the stories we tell not be about the trespass, but let it be about the grace that is greater than sin.

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. Make a little comparison chart – Old Life of Sin vs. New Life in Christ. Use Ephesians 2 and your own personal experience. What does each look like? Characteristics of each? Ruler of each? Future of each?
  2. If you haven’t personally experienced new life in Christ yet, what is holding you back?
  3. What does God’s gift of grace mean to you? Today, how will you thank God for this gift? How will you show God’s grace to another?
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Defining Jesus

Old Testament: 2 Kings 5 & 6

Poetry: Psalm 129

New Testament: Ephesians 1

In the first Chapter of Ephesians, Paul spells out the significance of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the stipulation for the grace that we receive.  Without his propitiation, we are without a promise.  The role of Jesus in this plan isn’t singular, but multifaceted.  The intention of Ephesians 1 isn’t to spell out distinctive theology; however, to understand salvation you must understand the Messiah.  While this is not all-inclusive, here are some of the basics delivered to us in the beginning of this church’s letter:

1. Jesus is the Son of God. His Father is also His God. (1:3, 1:17)

In verse three and seventeen of this Chapter, Paul refers to the Heavenly Father as the God of Jesus.  Wait. What?! Much of Christianity treats Jesus and God as synonyms.  Paul makes this important distinction in this letter to show that the Father is who we petition and who gives. Jesus makes this clear repeatedly in the Gospels when he states that he does nothing by his own power and authority. (John 5:30; 8:28) However, through the faith and name of Jesus, we have an eternal subscription to God paid through the blood of the Son of God, but it is our Heavenly Father who pours out His Spirit to us and gives us wisdom and revelation to know GOD better; to walk in step with him, just as Christ did.(John 17:20-23)

2. Jesus is our Brother. (1:5, 1:11,12)

Paul makes it clear in Ephesians and Galatians that we are God’s adopted sons and daughters. The particular phrase in verse five, “adoption to sonship,” had a greater meaning in Roman context, and is similar to the legal adoption process we know today. This means that we receive all the rights and privileges, we are considered equal to a biological relative, and we now bear the surname of God.  The inference then becomes we are the adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus, who, referring back to point one, is the Son of God.  What then do we receive? The same inheritance as Christ: the Holy Spirit, resurrection, and the Kingdom of God.

3. Jesus is our Savior (1:7, 1:18,19)

.While this statement has been alluded to in the opening paragraph and the previous point, it is most important to note that Jesus is our Savior.  Our inheritance would be null and void if not for the redemption of sin, which is a treasure in itself, a bounty of God’s grace.  Jesus accomplished this through a life and death in accordance with God’s will.  No more sacrifice is required because he became the fragrant offering.  He is still saving us; his death is still washing away the stain of sin.  He did save us once (Hebrews 7:27) but through the grace of God, saves us again and again through grace and repentance.

4. Jesus is Head of the Church. (1:22,23)

It is God who has appointed and placed the body of believers under the head of Jesus.  Jesus is literally God’s right-hand man. It is Christ’s spirit, meaning his purpose and drive, that should be the same spirit of the Church.  Who better to lead us than the one who experienced life in the same way as us? (Hebrews 4:15) Paul took direction from Jesus face-to-face, but we take direction from His life in the scriptures.  In the same manner, let us proclaim the Kingdom of God and message of salvation in a similar fashion to Jesus; he has shown us how to live in this manner.  

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What is significant about the relationship between God and Jesus? What jobs/positions does each hold? According to this passage, what is unique about each?
  2. What do Christians miss out on when they use Jesus and God as synonyms?
  3. What has Jesus done for you? Thank God for His Son Jesus and all he is to you.
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