Devotions
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The Best Deal
“Do you guys have any deals?” I heard this question a lot this past week while working the fireworks tent. Because who doesn’t like a good deal? I love getting a good deal on something. I really don’t like to spend full price on anything if I can help it, and I am sure I’m not the only one. There is something appealing to us when we are able to get something for less than what it’s perceived worth is. It makes us feel good, almost like we won some sort of game by waiting to purchase that item when it was on sale instead of getting it at full price. But you know what you can never get a “deal” on?... Salvation. Salvation comes at a cost. And it’s not negotiable. It will cost you everything, and at the same time nothing at all. What do I mean by that? God asks us to give Him our all. No matter how hard we try to do differently, every aspect of who you are needs to be turned over to God because we cannot achieve salvation on our own. Ephesians 2:1-3 tells us what our lives are without God. Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. If we are trying to earn Salvation on our own we are really following our sinful desires. Satan becomes our lord and we are spiritually dead. We are separated from God and we are no longer living the way we are created to live. Living this way subjects us to God’s anger. However there is good news. Earlier I said Salvation will cost you everything. Remember, it will also cost you absolutely nothing. Ephesians 2:4-9 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 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. God has given us salvation through His Mercy, Love, and Grace. This grace is a gift from God. It is not something we can “buy”. It is a gift. We don’t deserve Salvation. Our sinful nature makes sure of that. It separates us from God. But God wants us to be with Him so much he made a way for that to happen. It’s not some kind of deal we make with God. It’s a gift. All we have to do is accept it. Pastor Blake
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AuthorNotes from the Staff @The Woods Archives
March 2023
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