Daily Worship (June 15)
Devotional 1: Restoring Our Relationship with God
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
Devotional Thought
Romans 5:1-2 highlights the profound gift that comes with faith in Jesus Christ—a restored relationship with God. In the sermon, we learned how the disobedience of Adam and Eve created a chasm between humanity and God. Sin brought shame, fear, and separation from our Creator. However, Paul's letter to the Romans reminds us that through Jesus, the barrier is broken, and we are justified. Being justified means that we are declared right before God, not because of anything we have done, but because of our faith in Jesus. This restoration brings profound peace—a peace that assures us of God's presence and love despite our imperfections.
Living with this newfound peace means we can approach life’s challenges with hope. No longer hiding like Adam and Eve, we can walk confidently with God, knowing He is for us. In daily life, this peace invites us to trust God fully, to lean not on our understanding but on His promises. The assurance of being reconciled with God empowers us to pursue a life that honors Him, knowing that our relationship with Him is secure through faith in Jesus Christ.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Gracious God, thank You for justifying us through faith in Jesus, for bringing peace where there was once separation. Help us to live daily in the fullness of this restored relationship, trusting You and seeking Your will. May the peace we have with You transform our hearts and our relationships with others. In Jesus' name, amen.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
Devotional Thought
Romans 5:1-2 highlights the profound gift that comes with faith in Jesus Christ—a restored relationship with God. In the sermon, we learned how the disobedience of Adam and Eve created a chasm between humanity and God. Sin brought shame, fear, and separation from our Creator. However, Paul's letter to the Romans reminds us that through Jesus, the barrier is broken, and we are justified. Being justified means that we are declared right before God, not because of anything we have done, but because of our faith in Jesus. This restoration brings profound peace—a peace that assures us of God's presence and love despite our imperfections.
Living with this newfound peace means we can approach life’s challenges with hope. No longer hiding like Adam and Eve, we can walk confidently with God, knowing He is for us. In daily life, this peace invites us to trust God fully, to lean not on our understanding but on His promises. The assurance of being reconciled with God empowers us to pursue a life that honors Him, knowing that our relationship with Him is secure through faith in Jesus Christ.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does Romans 4 lead into the truths found in Romans 5:1-2?
- Observation: What do the words "justified through faith" mean in this context?
- Meaning: How does having "peace with God" change our daily lives and perspectives?
- Main Idea: Why is faith in Jesus essential for gaining access to God's grace according to Paul?
- Application: How can we live out the peace and hope described in this passage today?
Prayer
Gracious God, thank You for justifying us through faith in Jesus, for bringing peace where there was once separation. Help us to live daily in the fullness of this restored relationship, trusting You and seeking Your will. May the peace we have with You transform our hearts and our relationships with others. In Jesus' name, amen.
Devotional 2: Unity Despite Distinction
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Devotional Thought
In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul emphasizes the qualities that foster unity within the body of Christ: humility, gentleness, patience, and love. The sermon spoke of broken relationships due to sin—first with God, then with each other. In contrast, this passage paints a picture of what relationships can be when grounded in Christ. The "unity of the Spirit" calls us to prioritize peace over conflict, recognizing that we are all part of one body despite our differences.
Living this out means actively choosing to be patient and gentle, understanding that everyone struggles with their fallen nature. It means forgiving quickly and loving deeply, valuing each person as a beloved part of God's creation. In a world that often promotes division, practicing these virtues is a powerful testimony to the transforming power of Jesus in our lives. By committing to these principles, we reflect the unity that pleases God and strengthens His church.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Father, help us to be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with each other in love as we strive for unity in Your Spirit. Let our relationships be a testament to Your peace and love, pointing others to the grace we have found in You. Unite our hearts as one, reflecting Your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus' name, amen.
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Devotional Thought
In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul emphasizes the qualities that foster unity within the body of Christ: humility, gentleness, patience, and love. The sermon spoke of broken relationships due to sin—first with God, then with each other. In contrast, this passage paints a picture of what relationships can be when grounded in Christ. The "unity of the Spirit" calls us to prioritize peace over conflict, recognizing that we are all part of one body despite our differences.
Living this out means actively choosing to be patient and gentle, understanding that everyone struggles with their fallen nature. It means forgiving quickly and loving deeply, valuing each person as a beloved part of God's creation. In a world that often promotes division, practicing these virtues is a powerful testimony to the transforming power of Jesus in our lives. By committing to these principles, we reflect the unity that pleases God and strengthens His church.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How do Ephesians 3 and the early verses of chapter 4 set the stage for Paul's call to unity?
- Observation: What do humility, gentleness, and patience look like in everyday interactions?
- Meaning: Why is maintaining unity a critical aspect of our spiritual walk according to Paul?
- Main Idea: How does bearing with one another in love contribute to peace within a community?
- Application: What steps can we take today to embody the unity of the Spirit in our relationships?
Prayer
Father, help us to be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with each other in love as we strive for unity in Your Spirit. Let our relationships be a testament to Your peace and love, pointing others to the grace we have found in You. Unite our hearts as one, reflecting Your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus' name, amen.
Devotional 3: The Purpose and Joy of Work
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Devotional Thought
Colossians 3:23-24 transforms how we approach work by redirecting our focus from earthly bosses to our heavenly Lord. The sermon reminded us that sin distorted the joy and purpose of work, turning what was meant to be fruitful into toil. However, in Christ, our labor takes on new meaning. Paul urges believers to put their heart into whatever they do, recognizing that ultimately, their service is to the Lord.
Applying this perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship. Whether at school, home, or a job, every bit of effort becomes meaningful when done for Jesus. This shifts our motivation from seeking human approval to pleasing God, infusing even the most routine tasks with profound purpose. Knowing our true inheritance is from God encourages us to persevere, assures us our labor is not in vain, and invites us to work with joy, trusting that God sees and rewards our efforts.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Lord, teach us to work with all our hearts, serving You in everything we do. May our efforts glorify You and demonstrate the transformation You have worked in us. Help us to find joy and purpose in our tasks, knowing we serve a greater purpose and look forward to Your eternal reward. In Jesus' name, amen.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Devotional Thought
Colossians 3:23-24 transforms how we approach work by redirecting our focus from earthly bosses to our heavenly Lord. The sermon reminded us that sin distorted the joy and purpose of work, turning what was meant to be fruitful into toil. However, in Christ, our labor takes on new meaning. Paul urges believers to put their heart into whatever they do, recognizing that ultimately, their service is to the Lord.
Applying this perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship. Whether at school, home, or a job, every bit of effort becomes meaningful when done for Jesus. This shifts our motivation from seeking human approval to pleasing God, infusing even the most routine tasks with profound purpose. Knowing our true inheritance is from God encourages us to persevere, assures us our labor is not in vain, and invites us to work with joy, trusting that God sees and rewards our efforts.
COMMA Questions
- Context: What insights from earlier in Colossians 3 reflect on the attitudes discussed in verses 23-24?
- Observation: What does "work at it with all your heart" suggest about our approach to responsibilities?
- Meaning: How does shifting our focus from human masters to Christ change our work ethic?
- Main Idea: Why is the promise of an inheritance important in motivating us to serve the Lord?
- Application: In what areas of your life can you more intentionally work as though serving the Lord?
Prayer
Lord, teach us to work with all our hearts, serving You in everything we do. May our efforts glorify You and demonstrate the transformation You have worked in us. Help us to find joy and purpose in our tasks, knowing we serve a greater purpose and look forward to Your eternal reward. In Jesus' name, amen.
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