Today is April 1st.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Ephesians, chapter 2.  
 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 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. 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. 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. 
 

This is a theologically rich passage, so let’s consider just one aspect of Paul’s words: he’s drawing a juxtaposition between our human sin nature and wrath... and God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness.... given to us through Christ. Paul reminds us that we are God’s ‘handiwork’ - that is what we were CREATED to be. Instead because of sin, we became corrupted. But that’s not the end of the story.  the end of our story is that, by the gift of God, we can live as God’s handiwork. Think about how starkly Paul saw this difference: who we are in sin, and who we are in salvation. Is it difficult for you to think in these terms? 
   
Listen to this reading again, and consider your faith less as sentimental, and more as ontological – as a truth claim. Paul is telling us a truth: that without the grace offered to us through Jesus Christ, we are lost. But that the good news is that with grace, we become the people we are truly indended to be...
 
Have you thought recently about God’s calling your life? About what he created you to be? To do? God loves you and has plans and purpose for you. As we end our time of prayer today, take time to ask God to speak to you about what it means that YOU are His handiwork...  

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Music - Adore Him - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)