Words to Live By

"For we are God's masterpiece. 

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

~Ephesians 2:10 {NLT}

This morning while running on my treadmill I was listening to a Seacoast Church podcast. The message was on dating. Yea, I know... I prefer a treadmill to outside- weird. I listen to message podcasts instead of music while running- odd. I am a married woman listening to a message on dating- huh? Let's just get to the point...

The message was based on Ephesians 2:10 and as I listened I began mentally filing away things I need to remember to tell my kids when they are of dating age. But the longer I listened, the more I realized, this is something I want my kids, myself, and everyone really, to internalize regardless of relationship status or stage of life. These are words to live by. Whether you are a Christian or of some other faith or of no faith at all, I think we can agree that if we all really believed this, that we are all masterpieces, the world would be a better place {and we would be happier}.

The idea that I am a masterpiece and so are you creates self-confidence in me and also a deep respect for the other masterpieces I come across everyday, whether they are pleasing to me or not.  Just because some one else doesn't care for {or even respect} me does not affect my value as a masterpiece. And just because I don't particularly like the style of another masterpiece does not make it any less valuable or less deserving of my respect. There are few lessons I would like my children to learn more than this. There are few lessons I would like the world to learn more than this. If everyone believed this it would virtually wipe out oppression. 

Additionally, this concept is so deeply intertwined with the gospel and the teaching of Jesus. It has become our habit for Q {and LK} and I to read the Bible together during breakfast. This week we have been reading Luke 6-8 and focusing on Luke 6:27-36 where Jesus talks about loving your enemies, specifically focusing on Luke 6:31 which says, "Do to others as you would like them to do to you." Obviously an appropriate verse for a toddler to learn! Jesus repeatedly instructs His followers to love one another, and to do good, even to those who harm you. We are free to follow His instructions in this way because we do not need others to validate us if we believe that we are masterpieces, created specifically for good works. I can love my enemies without their love in return because I don't need their love and acceptance to be whole. Only the Master can complete this masterpiece and He has already accomplished that work through Jesus.

I am whole, 

I am a masterpiece, 

created by the Creator of the universe. 

And so are you.

Let's live like it and teach our kids to live as the masterpieces that they are!

GMG Week 9 Reflection {Ephesians 5:1-20}

This week the Good Morning Girls studied Ephesians 5:1-20;

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which ware not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of the Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.' Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." (NASB)

This passage further specifies how we are to live; imitators of God who walk in the Light and are filled with Spirit.  This kind of life is characterized by sacrificial love, wise use of time seeking to accomplish the will of God, uplifting speech, and a gracious attitude. We are to be vigilant against those who would deceive us into putting worldly things above God (resulting in immorality, impurity, greed, "unfruitful deeds of darkness").

Personally, I can be too easily deceived into loving things of this world. I live a pretty charmed life and am surrounded by good things.  Sometimes I can get confused into worldly pursuits and forget what is important. Too often I fail to see how dark and destructive sin is and wonder why God says not to do _____. It is a frequent prayer of mine for God to give me His eyes so that I can see things in light of the truth.

This week God has allowed me to see the affects of sin through a variety of circumstances including death, a sermon on Jesus' crucifixion, and a couple of graphic accounts of the depravity in this world. God gave me a glimpse of the depraved world outside of my charmed little life, and even allowed me to deal with personal loss within my charmed little life. For this reason, it's been a tough emotional week that has driven me straight to God for comfort and hope, when sometimes it seems like there isn't any hope left in this world.

As scary and depraved as the world looks sometimes, it makes me want to retreat into my safe little bubble. But this passage doesn't say to avoid the rest of the world, it says to be a Light in the darkness.  To allow our sacrificial love, wise use of time, uplifting speech, and gracious attitudes to expose the darkness.

Yesterday a friend was telling me about Kony 2012 and the injustice going on with children in Africa being abducted and forced into violence.  After the week I have had, I just didn't want to hear one more thing like that.  I already felt overwhelmed and incapable of doing anything to change the world so I just didn't want to know about it. My friend on the other hand felt inspired and empowered by the same information.  She was inspired by people that are actively trying to make a difference and got excited about how she could be a part of that.  I hope that God will strengthen me so that my response to the worlds depravity will be more like hers!

GMG Week 8 Reflection {Ephesians 4:20-32}

This week the Good Morning Girls studied Ephesians 4:17-32;

"So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the harness of their heart; and they, having become callous have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil and opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (NASB)

These verses contrast the old self (everything in purple) and the new self (everything in blue). These verses were an eye opening reminder to me.  I often try to evaluate my attitudes and actions by asking, "Did I do anything wrong?" Was I intentionally mean or hurtful? Did I act unfairly? Was I dishonest? Am I being bitter? If I can say no to those questions, then I feel justified and like I didn't do anything wrong.

I vividly remember a specific example of this from when my husband was stationed on his last submarine when I found out that one of the other wives whom I had been very close to was spreading false rumors about me that were harming my reputation. This was extremely hurtful to me and because I wanted to set the record straight I told anyone who would listen the "real story" which made her look awful. Was I intentionally mean or hurtful? Not really, I just told the truth. Did I act unfairly? No. Was I dishonest? No. Was I being bitter? Well, maybe... but I'm just telling the truth so people will know I am not the terrible person here! Those were my thoughts and how I justified slandering this person in the name of truth!

The trouble is, God isn't just concerned with what we don't do, He is also concerned with what we do do. I am to take off the old self and put on the new self. So maybe instead of evaluating myself by asking, "Did I do anything wrong?" I should also ask, "Did I do anything right?" Did I speak the truth? Were my words necessary? Did my words bring edification and grace to those who heard them? Was I kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving?

In the situation with the other wife from the boat, I am not proud of how I would have to answer those questions. Did I speak the truth? Yes. Were my words necessary? Not really, people were beginning to see her true colors without my testimony. Did my words bring grace to those who heard them? No. Was I kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving? No, no, and no.

Though I may not have done anything wrong, I also didn't really do anything right either. I made a choice to allow anger and bitterness control me instead of letting God renew the spirit of my mind.

I remember reading verse 29 soon after this situation resolved itself and being very convicted.  I now try to make it my mantra and remember it before speaking;

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

GMG Week 7 Reflection {Ephesians 4:1-16}

What a wonderful word the Good Morning Girls studied this week in Ephesians 4:1-16!

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, 'When He ascended on high, he led captive a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.' (Now this expression, 'He ascended,' what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." (NASB)

The concept of being "called" has been heavy on my heart lately. God has been teaching me about calling from several angles. I have recently studied stories of God's calling in the Old Testament as our church is going through "The Story." I've recently heard examples of God's calling in our pastor's life and in my girlfriends lives.  And I've reflected on God's calling in my own life.  I believe that God's calling is two-fold.  First, He calls me by drawing me to Himself as His child.  As such, I am responsible to walk in a manner worthy of someone who has been adopted into God's family. Secondly, I believe God calls me to specific roles in life, for which He gifts me with the necessary skills to accomplish His purposes in those roles.  I think this second type of calling can change over time.  At one time in my life I had a clear calling to study youth ministry and to pursue church service.  At another point in my life I was called to be a high school teacher.  And currently, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am called to be a stay-at-home-mom to my children.  I have seen God work in and through me in each of these callings and He has done things in and through me in these roles that I could not have accomplished on my own.

The challenge for me as a child of God and as a mother to my children (as a wife to my husband, as a daughter, as a friend) is to walk in a manner worthy of my calling by displaying humility, patience, gentleness, and love, being diligent to preserve unity. These characteristics are so important!

Humility. Remembering that God called me and God gifted me for the calling He called me to helps me to remember to be humble.  I am nothing without Him and it is His grace working through me that produces all of the good fruit in my life. In contrast, a prideful person would not be worthy of God's calling because they believe they can do it all on their own and they desire their success to bring them glory. I am sad to say that all too often I can easily identify pride in my own life.

Patience, Gentleness, Love. As a mommy, I pray for these three things on a daily basis!  And I have experienced the power of God in my life giving me supernatural patience, gentleness, and love for my son at times when I know I would lose it without God's help. It is sometimes embarrassing to remember the excessive patience, gentleness, and love that God shows for me when the tiniest thing can make me lose my cool.  I need to remember that walking in a manner worthy of my calling means that I should be patient, gentle, and loving to others, not just my son (even though it is a miracle if I can get through any one day without losing it in one of these 3 areas just with my son... but God is a miracle worker!).

Preserving unity. I am a part of the body of Christ. We can only attain the "fullness of Christ" when working together in unity with other believers.  In fact, God calls me to specific roles and gifts me for those roles for the purpose of "equipping the saints" and "building up the body of Christ." My calling is not just about me finding fulfillment in my own life and bringing glory to God as an individual.  My calling is about participating in God's eternal plan by functioning as part of the body of Christ in the specific way God planned and prepared me for.

These instructions seem simple, but I find them surprisingly difficult in real life.  Too easily pride slips up to threaten humility and selfishness creeps up to threaten patience, gentleness, and love. I can too easily fixate on divisions rather than focus on unity.  I am grateful for this passage this week to remind me of my responsibility to walk in a manner worthy of my calling.  I am grateful that God equips and empowers me to accomplish these seemingly simple instructions that I find so difficult sometimes.

Most of all this week I have been struck by the cohesiveness of God's plan.  It is amazing to me how He has worked every little detail together.  My calling is related to every other believers calling because God works in and through all of us to build a strong body of Christ.  He uses other believers to teach me and to build me up and He uses me to do the same for others.  And He uses all of us, working together in unity, to bring glory to Himself.  The picture of God's plan that He has been revealing to me through His Word is so amazing!  And I am so grateful to be a part of it!

GMG Week 6 Reflection {Ephesians 3:14-21}

This week the Good Morning Girls studied Ephesians 3:14-21;

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you , according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all the we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him, be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (NASB)

Because Paul has experienced God's grace in his own life by God using Paul as part of his eternal plan (see last week's reflection), in this week's passage he prays that the Ephesians would also be empowered by the Spirit for God's glory. As part of Paul's prayer, he wants the Ephesians to understand God's great love for us.  I imagine this is because if they can grasp God's unconditional love, it will motivate and free them to do great things for God's glory.

I was blessed to grow up with parents who love me unconditionally. I knew there was nothing I could ever do to lose their love.  There might be consequences to my choices, but I always knew that they loved me even if they allowed me to learn lessons "the hard way." Their love was freeing and motivating to me. Freeing because I didn't feel pressure to earn their love. Freeing because I could go after dreams, no matter how big, knowing I might not achieve them, but that they would love me anyway. Motivating because, even though I knew they would always love me, I wanted to please them and I wanted them to be proud of me. My parents made it easy for me to at least begin to understand God's great unconditional love for me that surpasses all knowledge.

I don't have to be afraid of failing at any endeavor because God loves me no matter what. I am free to tackle seemingly unsurmountable challenges because He can "do far more abundantly than we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." I am motivated by His love to be part of His eternal plan and to bring glory to Him.

I am confident that I have experienced God's love as well as God's power working in my life for His glory. The experience has been so transformational for me that I identify with Paul as He writes this.  I too want my family, my friends, and everybody to understand God's love for them and to experience His grace and power working through their lives to bring glory to Himself. That is why I share this reflection each week, so that maybe my experiences will resonate and encourage someone else towards experiencing God's transformational love and grace and power.

GMG Week 5 Reflection {Ephesians 3:1-13}

I am a little behind on posting my reflection from last week's Good Morning Girls study on Ephesians 3:1-13 so I'll try to keep it short and sweet!

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory." (NASB)

Two big things stuck out to me while studying these verses.  Paul's confidence regarding his personal significance as part of God's plan, and Paul's reference to himself as being a steward of the grace God had given Him.

Paul is convinced that his life is important as part of God's plan.  He was made a minister by the "gift of God's grace." He understood the grace God gave to him, was not just for him, but for the purpose of accomplishing God's plans on earth. This perspective helped Paul to see how his life was a significant part of God's eternal purpose.

In the same way, God graciously allows me to be part of His eternal purpose.  He didn't just provide grace for me, but so that my life would have meaning and significance as I carry out His plans on earth. He has gifted me (and you) to do exactly what He needs accomplished. It is a privilege to have such a meaningful purpose for my life. I am a steward of God's grace.


The next time I am changing a poopy diaper, or cooking yet another meal for my family, or taking care of a friend's child, or grocery shopping, or walking the dogs, etc., I will be thinking about my responsibility as a steward of God's grace.  I will remember that what I am doing is not trivial, it is important.  God's plan for me is to be a stay-at-home-mommy and as such I am advancing His kingdom by showing grace and building into my child, my husband, my friends, and everyone else that God puts in my path.

I am so thankful for this Word that God has spoken into my life this past week.  It is easy for me to feel unimportant because I am "only" a stay-at-home-mom and I don't do anything spectacular.  But I do know that this is exactly where God wants me right now, and I trust that if this is where He wants me, then He has an important reason for putting me here.  I don't believe that God wastes the grace He gives us, so my job as a stay-at-home-mom in this season of my life is important and I want to steward God's grace well.

GMG Week 4 Reflection {Ephesians 2:11-22}

This week the Good Morning Girls studied Ephesians 2:11-22;

"Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called 'Uncircumcision' by the so-called 'Circumcision,' which is performed in the flesh by human hands-- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and He preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." (NASB)

Some quick biblical history to help with our understanding of this passage:

• Throughout the Old Testament of the Bible (everything prior to Jesus) Israel was God's people with whom He had a special relationship. 
• One of the signs of this special relationship was physical circumcision which became an area of tension between Jews and Gentiles. (Paul reminds them that circumcision is done by human hands, implying that physical circumcision isn't really the big deal the Jews like to think)
• Israel was part of special covenants God made with them and they lived by the Law of commandments laid out in the Old Testament. 
• The Law required Israel to offer animal sacrifices to pay for their sins (breaking the Law) and because the Law was so strict, they would have to sacrifice over and over again each time they broke the Law.

Then Jesus came and changed everything:

"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity."

• Jesus is the only man to ever live a perfect, sin-free life.  
• The Law demanded death as payment for sin (thus the animal sacrifices and the fact that we all eventually die). 
• Jesus never broke the Law, so when He willingly sacrificed His perfect life for us on the cross, He broke the power the Law has over us and satisfied the Law's need for a sacrifice (thus, no more animal sacrifices).
• Jesus' perfection made His sacrifice good enough to pay not only for Israel's sins, but for anyone who accepts His sacrifice's sins. Thus, fulfilling prophecy ("And He came and He preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near" Ephesians 2:18 from Isaiah 57:19)
• Because Jesus' sacrificial death paid for Jew and Gentile sins alike, all who accept that sacrifice are part of "the body of Christ" whether Jew or Gentile.

Okay, so you may have already known all that, but I just wanted us to start on the same page since I mostly want to focus on the last 4 verses and there was just so much packed into those first 8 verses! Basically, Paul is recognizing the division between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers and in this passage, is trying to encourage them to unite as the body of Christ.

I felt God speaking to me as I was reading verses 19-22 which I think really sum up the point of this passage.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."

Despite their differences Jewish believers and Gentile believers were all part of God's family. They are each part of God's kingdom, and a piece of a holy temple being held together by Christ. Because of Christ, they now have a collective purpose; the building of the kingdom of God.  Every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit, dwelling inside of them transforming them from the inside out to become more like Christ. But there is an even greater goal than the sanctification of the individual believer, that is, for all believers to work together in unity as the body of Christ.

The idea that the believers are supposed to live in unity, is not a new concept to me. All week I was wondering what God was trying to teach me through these verse because I kept thinking, "I already know that!  Don't argue, focus on our similarities in Christ." And then these last four verses helped me understand God's message to me this week. It is not about me, it is not just about my personal spiritual growth or how I individually bring glory to God. It is about being part of the body of Christ and collectively bringing glory to God as part of the body of believers. 

I need to go beyond "not arguing, and focusing on our similarities in Christ" with my fellow believers. I need to be encouraging them in their spiritual walks and I need to rejoice with them when God uses them for His purpose. Because they are part of my family, we are all part of the same body, and their success is success for the whole body.

As an American, this mentality is sometimes difficult to achieve. Our culture is driven by competition which often means that when someone else succeeds, we lose. But I am praying for the Spirit to override my cultural upbringing in this area so I can fully participate as a supportive member of the body of Christ bringing honor and glory to God.

GMG Week 3 Reflection {Ephesians 2:1-10}

This week the Good Morning Girls studied Ephesians 2:1-10,
"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the poser of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children on wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in 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 as 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 so that we would wlk in them." (NASB)

These verses show a contrast of our life before and after salvation. I see the main difference to be living for yourself (indulging in desires of the flesh), and living beyond yourself (taking advantage of the opportunities for good works that God prepared specifically for you).

On the last day of my study this week I read verse 10 which says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." This verse brought up a few questions for me and made me uncomfortable at first until I discussed it with my wise husband who helped give me some perspective. My first thought was that it seems that we are created for specific good works (as opposed to general do-gooding) based on the fact that God prepared these works beforehand. So then I felt uncomfortable wondering, "Are the good things we choose to do not a part of our free will? But rather, since they are planned beforehand, we will do them regardless of our intentional choice to follow God?" You can see why that might be somewhat frustrating to me.  I spend lots of time and energy being intentional in my pursuit of God and His will, so to think that it doesn't really matter because He's already got a plan for me that will unfold regardless of my choices and efforts, was frustrating. (I do realize that train of thought is somewhat immature- I mean He is God and He can do whatever He wants to do and just because doing the right thing doesn't 'make a difference' doesn't mean I shouldn't do it- but it is how I honestly felt.) So, I asked my husband what he made of the verse and he suggested that God prepared the opportunity for good works beforehand, but that it is still our choice whether or not we follow Him and take advantage of those opportunities that have been prepared specifically for us. Based on what I know about how God relates to us throughout the rest of Scripture, hubby's interpretation seems to make the most sense.

This week I have been reflecting on where I came from (my pre-salvation self), and all that God has done for me out of "His great love" for me, and I have been humbled and filled with gratitude for my merciful, gracious, loving God. Verse 10 was the perfect ending to my study this week. Now when I think about it, I am so excited to know that God created specific opportunities just for me to do good works!

If you read my blog at all, you might have noticed that I have been floundering a bit this past year since becoming a stay-at-home mom.  I am trying to find my niche, some skill or passion that God has blessed me with that I can use to bless others. Pre-mommihood I knew what my niche was, it was teaching secondary math.  I loved sharing knowledge with students and interacting with them on a personal level.  I felt like I was making a difference and felt like (after multiple degrees) I had finally found the career God had made for me specifically. Then my sweet little baby arrived and everything changed. I had a bit of an identity crisis, and even though I have now found my identity secure in Christ, I am still searching for my niche.  I finished grad school (which who knows if I'll ever use...), I've run a couple half marathons, I'm currently pursuing a fitness instructor certification, I got really into vegan eating and cooking, I started actually writting on this blog I've had for years, I learned to sew, I learned to operate our DSLR camera and have been learning about photography and photo editing, etc, etc. There are so many things I am interested in, but I don't have a clear direction. Ephesians 2:10 is so incredibly comforting and exciting to me at this time in my life. God has already prepared opportunities for good works that were created specifically for me! I just need to be on the look-out for those opportunities and continually allow Him to refine my character so that I am prepared to make the most of the opportunities He presents me.

I hope it makes you excited too knowing that God has planned specific good works for you! I know I am excited to see what He is going to do through you!

GMG Week 2 Reflection {Ephesians 1:15-23}

Last week the Good Morning Girls studied Ephesians 1:15-23;

"For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (NASB)

How many times in my life have I prayed asking God for "wisdom" that is promised in James 1:5? How many times have I been disappointed because He didn't send some magical answer to whatever question or situation I was hoping to address? Many. I believe this disappointment stems from an inaccurate understanding of what is godly wisdom.

In the verses we studied this week, Paul is praying for his fellow believers.  He asks for wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God.  He prays that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened to know the hope of God's calling, the riches of God's inheritance, and the greatness of God's power towards them.  It sure seems as if wisdom relates to knowing God, as opposed to wisdom being the answer to a specific question.  Based on these verses, I think that wisdom is a result of allowing my knowledge of God, and His character, to transform me so that my choices reflect God's heart.

The second half of these verses focuses on our understanding of Christ's headship and authority. While studying these verses I asked myself, "Why is it so important to Paul to elaborate on Christ's authority and headship over the church?" and "What does understanding Christ's authority have to do with wisdom?" I attempted to answer these questions by asking myself another question; "If I really understood what Paul is saying, how would it affect my life?"

I think if I really understood Christ's authority I would have peace and confidence in doing what is right (even if it is hard or scary) because I could rest in knowing that God is powerful and in control of all things. He will empower me to do what is right and regardless of the personal consequences (favorable or unfavorable for me personally), He is in control and I am on the winning team.

I think if I really understood Christ's headship over the church and my role as part of "the body," I would have a clearer sense of purpose.  As part of the church, I am part of Christ's body, and the purpose of the body is to carry out the will of the head (Christ). If I really understood this, I would submit my life everyday to God, and I would live to carry out His purposes on earth.

As far as what an understanding of Christ's authority and headship have to do with wisdom, I think having confidence to do what is right and submitting my life to God for His purposes would probably naturally lead to wise choices.

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I have been so blessed by these verses this week. Our family is currently making some big decisions and we have really needed some godly wisdom. I am so grateful that God gives wisdom generously when we ask (James 1:5). I know that by studying His Word and spending time in prayer and in fellowship with other believers that I am coming to know Him more and I can already see the effect my relationship with God is having regarding the development of godly wisdom in my life. Praise Him!

And finally, know that I've been praying for YOU my friends! That "the eyes of your heart may be enlightened" and that God would "give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him!"

GMG Week 1 Reflection {Ephesians 1:1-14}

This past week was the first week of Good Morning Girls (GMG) new session and we will be studying Ephesians for the next few months.  I was so excited to get back into a regular Bible study and am super excited to have several real-life friends, near and far, that are going to be joining me through this study.

Ephesians is one of my favorite books of the Bible.  It is one of those books that I come back to over and over again.  If I am thirsty for God's Word and don't know where to start, I generally find myself in Ephesians.  In college, I even took a wonderful class on Ephesians alone.  Yet, God is still teaching me through studying Ephesians and I look forward to all He has planned for me to learn in the coming months.

This week we studied Ephesians 1:1-14;

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of you salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." (NASB)

He chose me, He adopted me, He redeemed me, He let me in on His plan, and He promises me an inheritance. Why? "To the praise of His glory." All of creation brings glory to the Creator, but He has chosen to show grace to me (and you) as a means to bring about that glory. He could bring glory upon Himself in any variety of ways.  He is God, He does not need me (for glory, or anything else). But because of His "kind intention" He choses to give grace as a means of bringing glory to Himself.

God's choice to give free grace to an undeserving creation is pretty incredible. I want to live for the glory of a God like that.  I want to be like Him, with kind intentions and full of free grace, even for those who do not deserve it.

As I have studied these passages this week, in addition to being overwhelmed by His grace, I have done a lot of thinking about God's will.  This passage indicates that His will is the summing up of all things in Christ.  But I know that God also has a specific plan (or will) for each of our lives. People often ask God to make known to them His will for their life. That seems like a good idea, but if I'm perfectly honest, it kind of scares me to ask for God's will. I mean, what if He tells me what He wants me to do and it is scary? I can't exactly say that this passage has me feeling cool, calm, and collected about asking God what He wants me to do with my life, but it has certainly helped build my trust a bit by reminding me that God has kind intentions. It has also reminded me that it is not about me, regardless of what God asks me to do, it is not about me, it is all about Him.