Jesus Christ is the central figure of the Christian faith. He is known as the Son of God and the savior of the world. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This statement emphasizes that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and salvation.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus is not only the way to eternal life but also the source of our daily living. In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." This verse highlights that Jesus has come to give us abundant life.

Jesus is our life in three significant ways:

1. Jesus is our spiritual life

In John 6:35, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." This verse emphasizes that Jesus is the source of our spiritual nourishment. We need to have faith in Jesus to experience spiritual life.

2. Jesus is our physical life

In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.." This verse highlights that Jesus is the source of our physical life. We need to have faith in Jesus to experience all the power and strength that is available in our earthly existence.

3. Jesus is our eternal life

In John 17:3, Jesus says, "Now, this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." This verse emphasizes that Jesus is the source of our eternal life. We need to have faith in Jesus to experience eternal life.

Jesus is our life. He is the source of our spiritual, physical, and eternal life. As believers, we need to have faith in Jesus to experience the fullness of life. Let us hold on to the promise of Jesus in John 10:10, that he has come to give us life and life to the full.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This statement is one of the most powerful and life-changing statements in the Bible. It is a simple but profound statement that gives us hope and direction in life. In this blog post, we will discuss the meaning of this statement and the scriptures that support it.

What does it mean that Jesus is the way?

When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," He was telling us that He is the only way to God. There is no other way to God except through Jesus. He is the only way to receive salvation and eternal life. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This statement is clear and emphatic. Jesus is the only way to God.

1. John 10:9 - "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture."

Jesus compares Himself to a gate. He is the only way to enter the kingdom of God. Those who enter through Him will be saved.

2. Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

Jesus as the only way to salvation. There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

3. Hebrews 10:19-20 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body."

Jesus is the only way to enter the Most Holy Place. He opened the way to the Father for us through His sacrifice.

4. Ephesians 2:18 - "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."

Jesus is the only way to access the Father. It is through Him that we have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to God. There is no other way to receive salvation and eternal life.  As we follow Jesus, we can have confidence that we are on the right path and that we will ultimately reach our destination. Let us continue to follow Jesus and trust in Him as the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus is often referred to as our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, but he is also our friend. He is always there for us, listening to our prayers, and offering us comfort and guidance.

John 15:15 says, "I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

In this verse, Jesus is telling his disciples that they are more than just his followers; they are his friends. He shares with them everything he has learned from God the Father, and he trusts them with his message.

Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is always there for us, even when others may let us down. He offers us love, support, and forgiveness, no matter what we have done.

In John 11:35-36, we see Jesus' friendship with Lazarus. When Lazarus dies, Jesus weeps for him and then raises him from the dead. This is not the act of a distant savior, but of a friend who deeply cares about his loved ones.

Finally, in James 2:23, we read about Abraham, who was called a friend of God. Abraham's faith and obedience to God made him a friend of God, just as our faith and obedience to Jesus make us friends of Jesus.

In conclusion, Jesus is not just our savior, but also our friend. He offers us love, support, and guidance, and he sticks closer to us than a brother. Let us cherish this friendship and strive to be faithful and obedient to our friend Jesus.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. But what does that actually mean? What did Jesus do to redeem us? And why do we need a Redeemer in the first place?

The Bible tells us that we are all sinners, separated from God, and in need of salvation. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This sin separates us from God and leaves us with a debt that we cannot pay. But God, in His great love and mercy, sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay that debt for us.

Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" Jesus took on our sins and the punishment that we deserved. He became our substitute, taking our place on the cross.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus paid the price for our sins and reconciled us to God. Colossians 1:20 says, "And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Jesus is our Redeemer because He redeemed us from the power of sin and death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

But we cannot receive this redemption unless we repent of our sins and turn to Jesus. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out." We must acknowledge our need for a Savior and put our faith in Jesus Christ.

So today, I encourage you to turn to Jesus as your Redeemer. Repent of your sins and trust in Him for salvation. He has paid the price for your redemption and offers you the gift of eternal life. Will you accept it?

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Luke 19:10, NLT  

Jesus spoke these words about himself in response to a crowd of self-righteous, grumbling humans. The crowd is stunned and indignant because Jesus has chosen to have dinner with Zacchaeus, a much-hated tax collector.  You know the story. Upon hearing that Jesus was coming, Zacchaeus climbs up a tree for a better view, because he was too short to see over the crowd. Scripture describes what happens next:

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.  But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. (Luke 19:6-7, NLT)

After their meal together, Zacchaeus emerges a transformed man. And Jesus proclaims for all to hear “Salvation has come to this home today… the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19: 9-10). In that one precious phrase, Jesus sums up the entire purpose of His arrival on earth.

Jesus came to seek and save “those who are lost.”  Have you ever realized how easy it would have been for Jesus to just open a “central headquarters” on earth and let people come seek him out? Instead, when we read through the Gospels, we see Jesus in perpetual motion, constantly moving toward people. Which people? Lost people: the woman caught in adultery, the man at the pool of Bethesda, the Samaritan woman, the man filled with a legion of demons, all of them recipients of a Savior who insisted on “seeking” them out.

I love that Jesus was so clear about his purpose. I love that Jesus values lost people so much that He insists on seeking so he can save.  Jesus is still “seeking and saving” the lost. Only now, He uses us to do so. Today, be reminded that His purpose is our purpose too.  As you go about your daily routines, ask Jesus to help you be mindful to always be about seeking the lost so they too can be saved.  

Prayer:  Jesus, I want your purpose to be my purpose too. I realize that I am daily surrounded by lost people. Help me to take every opportunity to seek out those who are lost so that they too can be saved.

Commitment:  Today I will be intentional about seeking out the lost people who are already a part of my daily life. I will look for opportunities to plant seeds that will lead them to salvation.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20, NIV


One Sunday after I got home from church, I thought about the many commissions that Jesus gives His disciples in the Gospels.  I especially thought about Matthew 28:18-20: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples . . . baptizing them. . . teaching them.”

As I thought about those commissions that Jesus gave to His disciples (and to us through them), I was struck by the thought “What if it all depended on me?” I do not mean depending on me apart from God. I mean what if I were the only Christian someone knows.  How many people have I personally told of the love of Jesus Christ?  With how many people have I shared the message of repentance and forgiveness?  How many people know of God’s love and goodness, because of my words and/or actions?  How many people have come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior because I told them about Him?
 
The disciples took the commission serious!  They took the commission of Jesus to heart and understood that the responsibility of its fulfillment rested on their shoulders! They did not say “If I don’t someone else will.” They knew that if they did not do it, it wouldn’t get done.  There was no Plan B. We must carry the same sense of urgency and personal responsibility.

Our urgency must move us to slow down and relate to our neighbor through a conversation or a meal. We should be intentional about befriending the parents of our child’s classmates. It is our responsibility to love and to be kind to our prodigals. Every day we interact with people – in person, on the phone, and in the checkout line at the grocery store—who so desperately need the opportunity to hear of the love of their heavenly Father.  Kind words, acts of service, prayer for their spoken needs are all seeds well sown.
 
Prayer:  Father, help me to slow down and see the fertile soil.  Open my eyes to your lost sons and daughters who so desperately need to know your loving kindness.  Soften my heart to move toward my neighbor.  Compel me to sacrifice my comforts so that I will see my family, friends, and neighbors saved and discipled.

Commitment:  I will be more aware of those around me who depend on me to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and I will respond by looking, listening, loving, and leading.

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:32-33, NIV


The disciples spoke these words after spending an exceedingly difficult night on the Sea of Galilee where they experienced both a deadly storm and the most amazing miracle with Jesus. Peter had joined Jesus on a walk on the water! Afterward, the two climbed into the boat with the other disciples. The winds became calm, and Christ’s closest followers were able to respond to the event with worship and praise, declaring now their sincere recognition of the divine personage of Jesus.

This event recorded the nineteenth miracle of Jesus’ ministry. These miraculous signs and wonders that Jesus did as they traveled together were bringing the disciples closer and closer to the realization of Jesus as the precious Son of God. This experience with the Master took them to the place where He could change their perspectives. They were beginning to understand that He is the strong Son of God who has authority over all the physical elements. He can multiply bread and fish. He can heal and deliver. He can walk on water as if it were glass and calm the tempest in any sea. He really is the SON OF GOD!

Walking with Christ has led me into experiences that have constantly changed my  perspective of who He is and what He desires for me. I know God heals instantaneously because He has healed me. I know God can deliver because He has delivered me. I know Christ can give divine wisdom because He has shown me the way so many times. I trust God because He is steadfast in his love and goodness toward me. I can join with the disciples and say with assurance, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Walk closely with Him today. Ask Him to sharpen your perspective of who He is and what He can do. Be ready for Christ to lead you into those experiences that will help you know Him more. Read His Word and discover His plan and will for you.

Prayer: Father, take me into fresh territory with you. As I read your Word, let the truths train me in righteousness. As I follow you, allow every experience of life to teach me who you are and draw me into your perfect plan.

Commitment: I will walk with Christ today, allowing Him to lead me and reveal to me who He is, what He can do, and what He desires for me to do.

Let every man give according to the purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7, MEV

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul states we should give to God’s work, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. At the time he was writing, the Christians in Jerusalem were undergoing financial hardship.  In response to this need, Paul was taking up a collection as he traveled from city to city. When the Christians in Corinth heard about the need in Jerusalem, they were eager to help. Paul encouraged them to give with cheerful hearts rather than out of a sense of guilt or obligation.

In verses 8-10 Paul identifies cheerful giving believers as those with an obedient, generous heart. Such believers who show love by helping others will reap God’s special love, blessings, and grace because of the seeds of generosity they plant for His Kingdom. Biblical cheerful giving is an acknowledgement of what God causes to happen in the heart of a sower who loves to do the will of God.

God will bless those who bless others. The word cheerful (Greek word: hilaros) means an overwhelming sense of inner joy, gladness, and fulfillment that goes along with sincere and generous giving. True generosity means giving with no selfish expectations. Scripture is filled with teachings on money and issues of the heart.  God teaches us that to the one who gives, more will be given. We show our trust when we demonstrate our trust in God by giving a portion of what He has entrusted to us.  From a worldview, this sounds counterintuitive, but God shows us that He is the provider of all things. Generosity is a state of the heart—an attitude of gratitude to the One who gave it all for us. When we allow God to take control of all areas of our life, the closer we draw to Him, the greater the blessing we receive, the more God equips us to do more for Him.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for all you have given me. As the Word says, all we are given comes from you. May I give generously of my time, talents, resources, and all things you have blessed me with in a spirit of love and genuine gratitude. Continue to transform my heart and mind to be more like you, Lord. Develop in me a generous heart, one that cares and shows concern for others. My prayer is that others see Christ in me.

Commitment:  I pledge to become one who is ready and willing to seek ways to recognize the needs of others and stand in the gap to help and give freely of my talents, skills, and resources.

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Matthew 25:13, NIV

Jesus tells a story about ten bridesmaids all dressed, ready, and waiting for the Groom’s arrival in Matthew 25. He tells us, up front, that five bridesmaids are wise and five are foolish. At first glance, it is not clear what the difference is between the two groups. They are all dressed the same. They all have lamps. They are all assembled and waiting. They all fall asleep because the wait becomes long. They all hear the arrival of the Groom and wake up. Upon waking, they all trim their lamps, meaning they are getting ready to light them.  

At this point, we see one stark difference: the wise ones had a jar with extra oil to keep their lamps burning, but the foolish ones had no extra oil. If you are familiar with the story, you know the foolish ones entreat the wise to share their oil. The wise refuse and instruct the unwise to go buy oil, declaring they do not have enough for all the lamps. The foolish bridesmaids toddle off to buy oil. When they return, they discover the door into the wedding party locked. They knock and say “Lord, Lord, … open the door for us!” The reply of the Groom is sobering: “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”

It is impossible to read these words and not be stunned by the clarity and the finality of the foolish bridesmaids’ situation. It seems almost petty that a little bit of oil kept them out of the wedding banquet.

What can we observe from this biblical account?
1-Each person is responsible for his/her individual relationship with God. You cannot borrow oil from anyone else.
2-Looking the part and going through the motions will not be enough to secure a place at the Wedding Banquet
3-The day is coming when it will be too late to “get ready;” we must be diligent to always stay ready for the return of Jesus.

Today is a good day to ask: Are you walking in the light? Are you keeping a close relationship with Jesus? Are you seeking daily to be full of the Spirit?

Prayer:  Jesus, I want to be ready every day. I want to always have an abundant supply of oil. Show me any area of my life that is hindering my walk with you so that I may confess it or release it. Help me to live ready.

Commitment:  Today I assume full responsibility for my relationship with God. I am committed to live ready.

Join coaches Rocky Pridgen and David Lee as we discuss how to best "Look" and "Listen" in the gameplan to help you reach the Griffin and the world for Christ.

Why would you say, “The harvest is another four months away”? Look at all the people coming—now is harvest time! Their hearts are like vast fields of ripened grain—ready for a harvest. John 4:35, TPT


Jesus spoke these words to his disciples after His encounter with the woman at the well in the Samaritan village of Sychar. When Jesus proclaimed to her that he was the Anointed one and He could give her living water, she ran back into the village and beckoned the villagers to come and meet this man who “could be the One we’ve been waiting for.” As Jesus and the disciples see the people coming toward them, Jesus proclaims, “Now is harvest time!”

Harvest time is a physical season we all enjoy. The seeds planted in the late spring and summer give up luscious fruit and vegetables during harvest. Careful preparation of the field and the planting of good seed always yield an abundant harvest. In the same way, harvest time is a spiritual season we eagerly anticipate. The diligent serving, generous giving, persistent praying, and faithful witnessing all serve to plant seeds of faith in those  hearts who are searching for the “one they have been waiting for.”

As Christians, we participate in harvest time by opening our eyes to those persons God brings into our view who are like ripened grain. We look for them in our communities, in our workplaces, in our schools, and in our sports venues. We see them in the grocery stores, at malls, or right next door. These are the searching hearts who long to know the Lord of the harvest. He is the one they have been waiting for!

Griffin First has entered a season of harvest. We are hearing the words of the Master, “Now is harvest time.” We are not only praying for harvesters, but we also volunteering for harvest work!

PRAYER:  Father, you ask me to pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth laborers into the fields. I am not only praying for laborers, but I volunteer to do the work of a harvester. I open my eyes to see the searching hearts you send into my path.

COMMITMENT:  I will answer the call to participate in “harvest time.”

Come close to God and God will come close to you.
James 4:8, NLT

Stop for a moment and let your heart feast on this truth: the Creator of the universe wants to be close to you. Throughout Scripture, this same thought echoes time and time again. The cry of God’s heart from Genesis to Revelation is always calling people to come near to Him. This is God’s desire. He wants to be close to His children; He longs to be known by His children. He is the issuer of the invitation:
“Come close to me and I will come close to you.”

Notice it is both a command and a promise. The command is “Come close.”  We live in a world full of noise and shiny things vying for our attention every second of every day. Into this cacophony of noise God stands with an open heart and an open door calling for His own to steal away, to stop and sit, to pause and focus. It is a command from our Father because He knows that we will receive everything we need by coming closer to Him.

The promise is that our decision to come close will cause God to move yet closer to us. How amazing is that? It is almost beyond comprehension that finite human beings can provoke an infinite eternal God to move towards us. And yet, that is His promise.

Are you as close to God as you want to be? Is there a hunger in your heart for more closeness? If you find yourself feeling distant and not really longing for God, there is no cause for shame or guilt. Simply confess your situation to your Father and ask Him to help you. Then, make a decision to come closer day by day. If in fact you do hunger for more of God – the really good news is that no one has ever exhausted the depths of knowing God, there is always more.

Let every one of us answer the call of God’s heart today – let us come closer.

Prayer: Father, I hear the cry of your heart. Everything I need is found in your Presence. I want to be closer to you. Help me push past every distraction and come close.

Commitment: Today I choose to come closer to God, and I wait expectantly for Him to come closer to me.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
 Proverbs 22:6, NKJV

Today’s devotional centers upon one of the most well-known verses of the Bible and probably one of the most frequently quoted by many parents.  It tends to be a “rope to hope” when children grow up and go astray from their faith. Parents cling to the hope that if their children go astray, this verse guarantees that they will eventually return to God.

While there are some truths within this interpretation, Proverbs 22:6 is less of a “warranty” or “guarantee” of our children’s lifelong faithfulness to God and more of an instruction from God to parents of HOW to raise our children in a way that helps them live lives of faith, great fulfillment, and joy!

The Amplified version of Proverbs 22:6 states: “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.” A good definition of train means to teach and to make prepared. This verse directs parents to teach the children, to make sure they are prepared to follow God’s plans, and to help aim them in the right direction. The right direction means the one that is IN KEEPING WITH HIS OR HER INDIVDUAL GIFTS OR BENT that GOD has given them!

Parents can seek to know and understand the unique gifts and God-given bent of their children by, first, asking God to show them the individual uniqueness of their child(ren). Asking God to reveal to us what He already knows about them can be insightful and helps us better see who our children really are. Second, we need to help our children grow in those areas of giftedness through praise and aligning them with right opportunities. Finally, we need to help our children make decisions that strengthen those areas. Training up our children in the way they should go means taking the time to hear from God and partnering with Him in the training of our children.

Prayer: Father, I understand that You have made our children in your image and that you have great plans for their lives! Please help me see the gifts you have given them and give me your wisdom to teach them to use those gifts to accomplish your plans for their lives.

Commitment: I recognize that God made each of my children and grandchildren unique individuals, and He has a specific bend, or direction, He wants them to go. I will partner with Him, allowing Him to lead me as a parent/grandparent.

“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time. 
It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail.
 Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it,
 Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3, AMP

God is a God of vision. He sees and knows what is in the past, present, and future. He creates us not only in His image but also with significant purpose. To fulfill that purpose, we must be able to see what He sees for our lives—to know and understand what He wants us to do and accomplish for Jesus. This “seeing” is what we often refer to as vision.

The prophet Habakkuk received a vision of what God was doing now and what He was going to do later. God loves to reveal His plans to us! God is not a silent God. He does not try to hide things from us, and He does not play games with our hearts and minds when it comes to what all He has in store for our lives and our generation. But sometimes, what He reveals is not for right now but for a later time down the road. The problem is that when we see a vision from God, we get very excited and feel a sense of urgency that comes with seeing it!  Sometimes, that sense of urgency can accidentally mislead us into believing that what is for later must be for now. Then, when what we heard or saw from God doesn’t happen right away, many get discouraged, and some even lose faith.

God wants to show us things He wants to do so that we will pray, trust, and put in the time and effort to partner with Him to see His will accomplished. But we must be patient and trust His timing even when it feels like God has forgotten all about what He said. Know that God has so much He wants to reveal to you! He is a God of great vision! But when He speaks and reveals, be prayerful and patiently trust Him to do WHAT He said and WHEN He chooses in His wisdom to do it! God is never late; He is an on-time God!

Prayer: God, I want to see what You see for my life. Please show me what You want me to see, so I can do what You created me to do. Give me fresh vision for my life, my job, my family, my church, and my generation.

Commitment: I believe God is a God of vision and that He has great things to reveal to me!  I will be patient to receive revelation from God and will commit to trust in His timing to bring it all to pass in His timing and in His way.

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.  But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Matthew 25:16-18, NIV

In this parable, each person receives a specific amount of gold, and each person makes very different choices.  All knew and understood that the master was entrusting them with his wealth. He expected them to act wisely with what they were given.

Two of the three men were wise and masterfully multiplied what was entrusted to them.  However, one was afraid he would make a mistake and anger his master, so instead of obeying and investing it, he simply hid his bag of gold in the ground. Nothing was gained.  Nothing was lost—or so he thought.  

Later, the master returns and richly and joyfully rewards the two men who wisely invested and multiplied his gold! But when the master approaches the man who merely hid the bag, he not only expresses disappointment, but he takes away the one bag of gold and gives it to the man who had five.  The obedience of the first two men led to their success and to their continued trust of the master and even greater success!

In the same way, our obedience greatly determines our success. What we do with our “bags of gold” (our time, talents, testimonies, and treasures) directly affects how much more the Master entrusts to our care.   As we listen to our Master, understand our assignment, and seize our season wisely, we too will be joyfully and richly rewarded by our heavenly Father!  

The “bags of gold” given to us by God deserve to be used for His glory! They deserve to be multiplied not hidden. God wants and needs us to use the things He has given us to bless and help the lives of those who need it most. Failure to do so will stop the flow of His blessings. Consistently and faithfully using our time, talents, testimonies, and treasures gives God a GREAT return on His investment in us!  

PRAYER:  Father, please forgive me when I hide and do not use the gifts and blessings You have given me. Please give me fresh vision and passion to use my gifts, talents, testimonies, and treasures.  May I be a faithful and obedient steward of all You have done in my life and all You have given me.  

COMMITMENT:  I will not hide my “bags of gold”! I will ensure God gains interest on the investment He has made in me!

So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. . . .  Ephesians 4:1, AMP

The Apostle Paul  wrote Ephesians to a group of Christians from the city of Ephesus who were  believers just like us today!   So, it is important to note that Paul was not writing to young ministers like Timothy or to the great apostles like Peter or John.  Instead, he wrote to an audience of regular, yet faithful, believers and followers of Jesus Christ.  This truth is significant because Paul not only instructs, but BEGS, these believers to live their lives in a manner worthy of the calling.  

So, what is a calling, and why is Paul begging them to live lives that reflects this worthy calling?

Your calling is your divine purpose.  God made us not only in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26), but He infused us with His giftings and talents to accomplish kingdom purposes!  God’s Word says in Ephesians 2:10 that “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” (NLT). The “we” in Ephesians 2:10 is the same audience and, therefore, the same “we” of Ephesians 4:10!  WE ARE ALL CALLED AND CREATED BY GOD TO DO GOOD THINGS THAT BRING HIM GREAT GLORY!  

But Paul doesn’t stop there!  He goes further and challenges, even begs the believers, to start living their lives in a way that is worthy of that calling.  The Amplified Bible reinforces and explains excellently what “worthy living” means.  A life worthy of the calling is a life that daily exhibits godly character, has moral courage and personal integrity, behaves maturely, and expresses thankfulness and gratitude to God for all He has done.  So Paul challenges the Ephesians, and us today, to live lives worthy of His divine calling.  We have purpose, and because we have purpose, we move toward living a life that looks, sounds, and behaves a bit more like Jesus—a life worthy of the calling!  

PRAYER:  God, Thank You for creating me with purpose and giving me a divine calling.  Help me to understand my purpose and to live my life in a way that is truly worthy of my calling.  Please teach me how to develop and exhibit godly character, to have moral courage and personal integrity, to behave maturely, and to have a true heart of gratitude.

COMMITMENT:  I am created and called by God to do great things for His glory!  I choose to set aside my own will and desires, and with God’s help, I will do my best to live my life in such a way that is truly worthy of my calling.

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:4-6, NLT


Consider an orchestra made up of woodwinds, brass, keys, strings, and percussion.  The musicians have personally spent endless hours sharpening their skills.  They have come together five to six times to practice corporately, but one violinist prefers to play the arrangement differently.

Envision it: you are seated in a magnificent ornate music hall waiting for a concert. The conductor raises his baton, and the music begins to fill the room. Then, the first chair violinist begins to deviate from the provided musical arrangement, playing his or her own version of the musical piece. What could have been a beautiful concert has now become an uncomfortable and disappointing moment for all who have worked tirelessly for that day, as well as all who came to hear.

God is our great composer and conductor, and we are his instruments.  The purpose for His creation has one chief aim: to bring Him Glory. We are united into one body by the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Our oneness and unity are essential for the work of Christ and transcends our personal preferences.  

Prayer: Lord, you are my creator, and I’m so glad you created me for a purpose.  I desire to be a skillful instrument for your glory that, both inwardly and outwardly, plays in unity with the body of Christ.  May I be found in you so that I would not be out of tune or out of practice.  I submit myself to your direction and to your plans, and I cast off any selfish motives that would distract, divide, or derail the unified work for your Kingdom.

Commitment: I purpose to serve Christ and His Body in the unity of the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Matthew 9:35, NIV

In one sentence we find out so much about Jesus’ time on earth. Jesus went. Jesus proclaimed. Jesus healed. Have you ever realized that Jesus could have stayed in one place and let everybody come search for him? But he did not. He went through “ALL” the towns and villages. He sought people out.

Jesus proclaimed the good news! Jesus did not just seek for people to make acquaintances.  He sought people out to let them know the good news that they could be reconciled to God.  

And Jesus healed. He healed EVERY disease and sickness.  He was unwilling to simply go and preach and leave physical needs unmet. Instead, he ministered to the physical needs of those he encountered.

How Jesus cares for every person! He did not go to “select” towns or just heal “special” people. He did not keep the good news a secret, available to only a few. This is the heart of our Savior and this must be our heart too. Today, be empowered to go, to proclaim, and to bring healing. When you do, you will be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Prayer:  Father, I want to be like Jesus. Help me to love people like Jesus does. Help me to carry the good news with me and open my eyes to see the needs around me. I want to bring you honor today in all I do and say. Amen.

Commitment:  Today I am willing and ready to carry the good news with me.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we
have what we asked of him. I John 5:14-15, NIV

Two large words fashioned from wood in beautiful cursive writing adorn the kitchen walls of the new home. They greet blurry-eyed souls needing coffee in early morning, and they are the last words droopy eyes see before dousing the lights at night. What two words could be so important to be the openers of each day and the closers for each night?    The words: Pray and Believe.

When people respond to the question of why prayer, conversation with God, is not a central focus of the spiritual life, most respond with comments about their confidence. Does God hear me? Why doesn’t He answer? I did not hear him reply. I grow tired of asking. Why pray, life is just going to happen anyway.

John, the beloved Apostle, wrote words of comfort to all God’s children concerning the nearness and attentiveness of God. This verse is found in I John 5:14-15:  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

The confidence lies in knowing that He desires our sincere conversation. It also requires believing that the all-wise, loving God gives attention to the weakest of prayers from sincere hearts. Focusing on the reality that the Creator of the universe stands ready to interact with his children provides the confidence needed to pray, believe, and converse daily with Him concerning all of life’s challenges. Confidence increases by realizing that God hears all kinds of prayers whether formal, ritual, rehearsed, written, or spontaneous.  What John stresses here, however, reveals that the essence of prayer is an open conversation with our God who not only listens to our words but also responds to us.

Talk to Him now. He is closer than the air one breathes or the light that surrounds us. He is near and attentive to sincere hearts.  Pray and Believe.

Prayer:  Father, I believe that you hear me when I pray. I know your Word says that you will respond to my prayers and requests.  Thank you for inviting me into your presence daily to spend time conversing with you. Strengthen my faith and confidence in you.  

Commitment:  Today, I will pray and believe.

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

The Apostle Paul communicates a clear theology of the life God gives us through His grace and kindness. In the first ten verses of Ephesians 2, he traces our journey from children of darkness deserving death to children of light receiving life because of his grace and mercy shown in Christ Jesus. Christ not only rescued us from death and hell, but He raised us into His life, even His life in the place of ultimate triumph – seated with him in heavenly places (vs.6).

In verse 10 Paul gives direction and purpose to this gift of life Christ has made possible. He proclaims the goal: We will do the good works of Christ that He has determined for us to do. We will walk in these workings of Christ through all the seasons of earthly life. As we journey, He equips us with all the gifts and special abilities to do mighty works for His Glory.

God gives you the very life of Christ today. What a handiwork He creates as you walk in the good works He desires for you to do! Agree with His plan for you. Express to Him now that you desire to accomplish all that He has determined for you to accomplish today and throughout your lifetime.

Prayer: Father, thank you for making me alive in Christ. Thank you for placing me in the heavenlies with Him. I desire to walk in all the good works He has determined for me. I know your power will give me the strength so I can be His masterpiece, His workmanship.

Commitment: I determine today to follow Christ and walk in the good works He has assigned me!

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2, NIV

These words were spoken by Paul to the Ephesian Church. They are beautiful words to read and difficult words to live. And that is precisely why Paul gave such clear, concise directions – because we need them.

Notice several things about these instructions:

First, God’s Word never gives us instructions that we are unable to follow with the help of the Holy Spirit. So, we know that we can do this – it is possible to be “completely humble and gentle,” to “be patient,” and to “bear with one another in love.”

Secondly, humility, gentleness, patience, and love all have one thing in common: they involve death to self. They are not concerned with fighting for our rights, making sure we get our own way or looking out for our own interests. Nope. Instead, they are following the lead of our precious Jesus, declaring by our actions that He truly is our Lord, the One we are longing to please.

And finally, there is a choice involved. We can choose to exhibit humility, gentleness, patience, and love in our care and interactions with others, or we can choose to bypass these methods and do things our own way in our own strength. Simply becoming a Christian does not mean these virtues roll in on a tray. We must choose daily to walk with one another in love and humility.

Prayer: Father, help me make the choice to operate in humility, gentleness, patience, and love in my interactions with people. I want to bring you honor today in all I do and say. Amen.

Commitment: Today I will choose to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and love. I will look for opportunities to demonstrate the love of God to others.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. Matthew 25:14-15, NIV

God does indeed declare spiritual seasons and specific assignments. The good news: He also ensures that we are equipped for each and every one! In this passage, Jesus explains that God gives each of us spiritual gifts, blessings, talents, or “bags of gold” if you will. Not only does God give us “bags of gold,” He intends for us to use them so others are helped and impacted, and so God can receive great glory!

No one knows how God determines who gets what talent or gift, or even how He decides what amount each person receives. What we do know is that each person is given and entrusted with at least one gift – at least one bag of gold. Every person has at least one blessing, one gift, one talent, or one amazing testimony! The question is NOT: “How much has God given you?” Instead, the question is: “What are you DOING with what God has already given you?” What are you doing with the “bags of gold” that God has entrusted to you? What has God given you? What blessings has He given you? What relationship has He restored? What hurt in your heart has He healed? What victory has He won for you? What have you ALREADY received?

God wants all of us to use our talents, hurts, victories, and giftings to help strengthen the lives of those around us! The most amazing thing about this whole concept is that the more you use what God has already given you, the more He will entrust into your care! This passage is not so much about gold as it is about the heart of the person to whom it is given. God wants, and dare I say needs, all of us to be wise and faithful stewards (or managers) of all He has given us. When we do, a tremendous multiplication effect occurs, peoples’ lives change, and the Kingdom of God advances more rapidly! When we use and then see Him multiply what He has given us, our faithful obedience makes Him smile and say, “Well done! Here is more!”

PRAYER: Father, Thank You for giving me gifts, talents and even testimonies that I can use to glorify You and make Your name famous! Help me discover my gifts (my “bags of gold”) and teach me how to use them to bless and help others. May I be a good, faithful steward of all You have entrusted to my care.

COMMITMENT: God did not forget about me when He distributed His gifts and talents (His “bags of gold”) to His children. God has blessed me and has given me gifts, talents, testimonies, and treasures, and I choose today to be a good steward. I will use what He has given me to help and bless others.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3, NLT

Paul tells us that our individual victories and our corporate victories are a result of the value we place on unity, purity, and harmony. As we walk together in Christ, God wants our hearts and minds united for His purposes. He wants this for Griffin First Assembly and for the Kingdom at large. Paul implores us to lead a life worthy of our calling, to walk with each other in love and humility, and to run together in sweet harmony in each season for His purposes. Leading a life worthy of the calling of Christ means dealing with self. We choose to monitor closely our emotions, our personal preferences, our opinions, and our selfishness. Then, we commit to walk in love with our co-laborers and esteem their value and purpose. We set aside our differences for the sake of unity. We labor together, and because we are unified, the labor is easier. We are stronger. We find joy in laboring! The Passion Translation says it this way, “Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace.” Unity is not the goal, Paul says, but unity is the result of pursuing God’s purposes. Having done this, we must then be on guard and protect the “sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit.”

Prayer: Lord, sincerely I ask you, create in me a clean heart. I want to walk worthy of my calling. I want to be pleasing in your sight. I pray that the love I find in you flows through me so I might walk in love with my brothers and sisters in Christ. We serve the same purpose and have the same goal – to know you and to make you known, and so we work together to see your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Commitment: I will make every effort to stay in unity with the Spirit of God, to preserve the unity of His spiritual community, and to walk in sweet harmony with Christ and other believers.