Today’s WORD (Text)               Ephesians 2:8-10

8/ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9/ not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10/ For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

 

Today’s Witness

God’s reconciling grace poured lavishly upon us ought to translate into grace-filled lives.  Such lives boldly acknowledge God’s handiworks in our lives.  We are recipients of grace who should show forth grace through loving service to others without claiming entitlement or boasting.  We have been shown grace that we might live forth the vocation of gracefulness.

Today’s Invitation

Are you ever tempted to boast of your own righteousness before others?  How might such boasting bring dishonor to God?

Today’s Prayer

God of grace and glory teach us to lead lives that are grace-filled.  Remind us that the world needs models of grace demonstrated by Christ’s followers who show others how to receive grace and how to be gracious toward others. Amen.

The Passionary Intention

Today, I choose to live my life with passion.  Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:

  • Where will I follow Christ today?
  • To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
  • How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?

 

The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday).  Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.

 

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