Deep in the heart of the Lenten season we may be inclined to think highly of our fasting, the increased frequency and fervency of our prayers, the piety of our worship and offerings. But Paul, in the passage from Ephesians for this Sunday, reminds us of our dependence, our total reliance on God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (The Message)
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
With all the time in this world and the next to give thanks, let's get started.
1) Thanks be to God for spring break and time to clean house and toss out the old and useless and make room for the good and the useful and for time to spend with our families.
2) Thanks be to God for elders and deacons who are faithful to their call and promise and who met the challenge of a 24 hour fast in preparation for the joint board meeting last weekend.
3) Thanks be to God for the new opportunities being brought our way; visiting summer mission teams, expanded outreach through our community lunch, healthy cooking classes and GED.
4) Thanks be to God for the Holy Spirit which moves and enables us to restore relationships which have been broken.
5) Thanks be to God for each brand new day that continues to come our way.
Don't forget that God does the making and the saving. Let's trust God with what God has created and give thanks for the saving.
Pastor Rick
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