| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Savor the time” Our Bible verse for today: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) Our thought for today: “Fulfill your purpose” I love the way the New Living Translation uses the word “masterpiece” to describe those who have new life in Christ. When you placed your faith in Christ God created you anew, you became a new creation – a master creation of His. But there are two important things to note about that verse. First, the “masterpiece” reference is to your spiritual self, not your physical self. Good thing too. As I can attest, the older we get the less and less our physical selves resemble anything looking like a masterpiece (unless you’re into antiques). No, as amazing a creation as the human body is, the true masterpiece of God’s creation is that wonderful eternal spirit of yours, and that’s what Paul was referring to in that verse. Your spirit is contained within your body, but it’s the spirit that’s the new creation. The second thing to note is why God created you anew in Christ. Although the verse doesn’t specifically mention it, we know that the first and most important reason was so we can spend eternity with Him in heaven. But also, as the verse does say, it was “… so that we can do good things he planned for us long ago.” And that brings us to our theme for this month of savoring and fully enjoying the time on earth that the Lord has given us. We’re using our time well when we’re doing the good things He has planned for us to do. The great Christian writer C.S. Lewis once observed, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.” In my observation the happiest, most joyful, and most content Christians tend to be the ones who are fulfilling their God-given purpose as His masterpieces, doing the good works in this world that He has planned for them to do from the very beginning. It’s when you are serving others (especially those who are less fortunate than you or those who are hurting and in need), that you are fulfilling your purpose. That’s when you will feel most fully alive and most satisfied. The best thing you can do to make yourself feel better is to take your eyes off of yourself and do something for someone else. It’s what God created you for. It’s what He planned for you to do. You are God’s masterpiece, created by Him to do good works that He has planned for you from the very beginning. I encourage you to fulfill your purpose today. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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Oak Hill Baptist Church 
Beautiful. I love the antique reference lol. I read it to one of my younger daughters. Thanks and God bless!
Thank you. I am blessed by your devotionals each day as well. Thank you for your faithfulness to your writing ministry.
You’re welcome and thank you so much. That is very encouraging. God bless.