#4 Ephesians 2:10 – For We Are God’s Handiwork
On January 31, 2021 by Amy BurginJoy:
Episode#4 Ephesians 2:10
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin
Amy:
This podcast is for those of us who long for God’s presence and holy direction in the midst of our own wrong-thinking, unpredictable relationships with people we long to love well and calendars and circumstances that breathe down our necks and masquerade as our boss. This podcast is also for you if you don’t really know who Jesus is. We make room for you to put aside what the world or religion has taught you so you might see for yourself who he truly is.
Here, we create space for Christgazing, the act of gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. We do it by gazing on one biblical passage as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider what it is God wants us to know. As we focus on his word, we find ourselves gazing upon his personality, his desires, his intentions., his power. In this, we make room for a living conversation with God under the great expectation that together, we will see him, hear his voice and know him more.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before Joy brings us today’s Word, take the next 30 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be joy or sorrow, thanksgiving or heartache, worry or peace. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 30 seconds.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
I’m going to ready today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, “What does this passage say about God?” What is his desire, What is his intention and purpose?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God?”
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?” What do people think? What do people need? What do people want?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?”
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?
Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good shepherd and he desires to lead and guide you to green pastures and living waters. God wants you to know him better. He is a gentle and kind shepherd. He never condemns or belittles but rather, he is the builds us up.
Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you see his shining face turned toward you and be utterly convinced that you are his handiwork. May you become acutely aware that you were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God himself prepared in advance for you to do all according to his desire as written in Numbers 6:26 – 27 and Ephesians 2:10.
One Response
Amy:
I memorized this verse about four years ago. While I worked to commit to my memory, it was days before it actually made it into my heart. I distinctly remember when that happened. I was dusting my bedroom. I had just recited the verse and then immediately began to pray a prayer I had been praying for weeks on end, “Lord, please please please give me purpose. Please please give me a job in your kingdom. More than anything I want to work with you. Is that even possible for a woman like me?” On and on I went talking to God about this.
Finally, I paused my talking and God immediately used the pause to speak, “Amy, what does that verse you are memorizing say? Are you even listening to it?”
I stopped cleaning the bedroom and heard the verse directly from God to me, “Amy, you were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which I myself prepared in advance for you.”
I laughed out loud.
God was telling me that he not only wanted to answer my prayer, but that he actually wants the same thing. It was his idea in the first place. God is saying, “Yes, I have purpose for you. I have a job in my kingdom for you. I want to work with you!” This was one of my first discoveries of many in realizing that the things we really want, God actually wants for us and has even already set a plan in motion to bring it about.
Closing
Amy:
We will be back next week and again, I leave you paraphrasing James Bryan Smith, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a very child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.
It blesses me to hear from you! Please leave a reply here.