The Purposeful Mom: Devotions

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February 6, 2012

What Does Grace Mean to You?

As we've studied the book of Ephesians, we've seen who we are in Christ and what God has done for us in and through Christ! This past week's verses from Ephesians 2:1-10 spoke of the rich and wonderful grace of God. The word 'grace' means so much to me!

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Grace is forgiveness when I am impatient or irritable toward my children and don't model the Christian behavior that I want to see in them.

Grace is help in times of need, when I'm at the end of my rope, questioning God and doubting His love for me.

Grace is God's favor, when He pours out on me abundant blessings beyond what I deserve and deals gently with me to help me to understand His will.

Grace is God's rich mercy given freely, without the expectation that I will repay Him.

Grace is all these things and more!

Verses 5-10 of chapter 2 say,

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Paul makes it clear in these verses that by grace we are saved. I once learned an acronym for grace in Bible college: God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

This grace we receive through Christ's sacrifice is such a precious gift and the least we can do is respond to this gift by allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through us and into the works we carry out as people belonging to God. We cannot ever earn our salvation but we can give thanks for His grace to us through faith and live our lives for Him each day.

What does grace mean to you?

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January 29, 2012

Ephesians Bible Study - Week 2 Wrap-Up

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The first fourteen verses of Ephesians chapter one tells us who we are in Christ; verses 15-23 show us more of what God has done for us and gives to us through Christ.

God showed his mighty strength when He seated Christ above all things, giving Him absolute power and authority for all eternity (vs. 19-21). He is the ruler and master. I love what my People's Bible Commentary said: "No authority figure can successfully oppose the risen and ascended Christ."

God appointed Him head of the church, and Christ uses His power for the good of the church, His body with whom He has a deep and profound relationship (vs. 22-23). Not only are we filled by Christ but we as the church also fill Him! He wants intimate fellowship with us as we walk through our Christian life.

God has called us to hope. This isn't the type of hope that we express when we say, "I hope the sun shines tomorrow" or "I hope we're not late for the game." It is an "assurance of things we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1) and a confident knowledge "that will not put us to shame" (Romans 5:5). The hope spoken of in the Scriptures does not disappoint us, even during times when we must cling tenaciously to that hope with our last bit of strength!

God gives us the spirit of revelation and wisdom (vs. 17) so that we can know Him better. How do we get to know God? Through His Word! When we spend time learning and meditating on the Scriptures, our eyes are opened to so many amazing truths!

What I love about all of these gifts is that we don't do anything special to earn them. They are freely given without reservation because of Christ's great, great love for us. Paul speaks of this love and grace in chapter two of Ephesians, which we'll be studying this week!

You can still join in on the Ephesians Bible Study, it's not too late! Visit this Good Morning Girls link to download the study guide.

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January 8, 2012

Our Journey to Living Debt-Free: Dependence on God

Before I begin our story, I want to take a moment to reflect on the spiritual part of becoming debt free. I truly believe that the Lord has guided us through this journey. His gentle guidance and wisdom are what bring me through each day. God is teaching me (and believe me, it's a work in progress!) self-control, trust and ultimately to depend on Him for what we need. Any successful effort we have put forth in becoming debt-free is a direct result of God's grace and provision in our lives.

I love what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13:

"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

In short, what these verses say to me are that as a Christian, no matter what my present financial situation, I can trust and rely on a kind, perfect and amazingly generous God. He has met our family's needs and will continue to, whether we are exactly where we want to be financially or not.

Join me tomorrow as I begin my series! (Read the whole series here!)

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December 20, 2011

What Gifts Can We Give Him?

Have you ever seen The Bishop's Wife? It's a lovely black and white film starring Cary Grant that tells the story of a struggling bishop, his wife and the angel who comes to help them.

At the end of the film, the bishop gives a sermon called, "The Empty Stocking". He quotes this line: "All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It's his birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share..."

I got to thinking, does Jesus really need me to fill his "empty stocking"? I think that instead I can say that when He came into the world as a baby, He filled me and gave me what I desperately needed. A Savior, Redeemer, Friend and Lord.

Colossians 1:19-20 says, "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

John 1:14 tells us that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

At the same time, it is very much true that we can get so caught up in materialism that we miss the wonder, grace and truth of the season. That we forget to reflect, like Rebecca did in her post, on the amazing nature of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem and the fulfillment of prophecy that came about as a result of their obeying God and the law of the land.

I pray that you and I will literally stop at some point during the day and reflect on the Father's gift to us on that night....a gift more meaningful and precious than any other.

So what gift can we give our Jesus? I love the verse from the Christmas carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter":

"What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him, I give him my heart."

A very Joyous and Blessed Christmas be yours!

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December 15, 2011

As We Approach Christmas...

It seems like we're reminded often to "give thanks" during the Thanksgiving season, but as we approach Christmas, the many blessings that I have come to mind.

I am so thankful for the days when I hear my older two children busily playing "store" in the basement or pretending our large laundry basket is a boat and they need to rescue their animals from the "ocean" (aka the floor).

When they help their baby brother sit up or get him a toy or just give him a hug and smooch, I am assured that my efforts of teaching them to love each other are making their mark.

I am very thankful when my husband comes home from work, happy to see us, and gives us each a hug. Then we talk and share how our days have been. He doesn't even ask for a "break" from the family before launching into the "dad" and "husband" part of his life, but gladly helps me out when I need it most.

And as we get ever closer to Christmas, my heart is filled with joy when I consider a small family who lived over two thousand years ago: Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Joseph and Mary's willingness to follow God's will for their lives, even though it was unconventional, is an amazing truth to comprehend. As they raised Jesus, who grew "in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and man", they did their best to understand this child, their (and our) Savior.

Jesus came, He really came! He gave up His glory in Heaven and lived among us and took the penalty for sin on our behalf, opening again the door to the glorious kingdom of the Father. His resurrection gave us hope, peace and joy, both now in these seasons of Advent and Christmas and for eternity.

What brings you joy today?

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