Time for Grace-August 13, 2024

Time for Grace-August 13, 2024

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. In him, the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you, too, are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We have places to live, but those houses may not always feel like home. Moreover, we can feel alone and like strangers, even with those we know; this is especially true when disagreements and arguments arise between others and us, leaving us feeling even more alone and isolated.

However, we are not alone; as your believers, we are part of your kingdom, connected to everyone who believes in you and to all the saints who are now home with you in heaven. We are not foreigners anymore; we are heavenly citizens with you. Each of us is a part of something far more significant than ourselves, and that is, we are a part of your holy temple and your family.

As Paul wrote, Jesus is the Cornerstone; we are all fashioned to be part of your kingdom throughout this life. Jesus paid the eternal price with his lifeblood to free us from sin’s bondage; he bought us out of hell’s condemnation, and faith delivers his gift of forgiveness, making us a part of your holy temple, and Jesus is the Cornerstone. We pray that your Holy Spirit continues to fashion us through your word—which was sent to us through the prophets and apostles, and creates faith in each believer. So that by faith, we are each fashioned into the perfect building block for your temple.

Please allow us to share this good news with those who do not know you or whose faith is weak so that they may also be fashioned into being a part of your eternal temple, being heirs of heaven’s household and eternally connected with all the saints. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

Know that you are not alone! God loves you so much that he sent his Son to suffer and die in your place so that by faith in Jesus, you are made part of his heavenly kingdom and a member of his household.