Daily Worship (March 16)

Ephesians 2:1–10, NIV
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Devotional Thought
This passage reminds us that before Jesus saved us, our souls were like people sleeping in total darkness. We had no way to wake ourselves up or fix our broken hearts. The Bible says we were “dead” in our sins, which means we were completely stuck without Jesus. Even though we did nothing to deserve it, God stepped in with mercy and love. He gave us new life through Christ. This ties closely to the theme of “Amazing Grace” in Saul’s story from Acts 9: we see how God can rescue anyone, no matter how far from Him they seem.
This is also where we see the truth of what’s called “total depravity.” Our good deeds can’t save us; no amount of effort can wash away our wrongs. We are saved only by God’s grace. That’s why we should never brag about our own goodness. God not only forgives us, but He also reshapes us into people who can do good for His glory. Just like He changed Saul into Paul, the Lord can transform us too. When we truly believe that God’s grace has the power to change hearts, we find hope and courage. We remember that He can breathe new life into anyone—even you and me—because Jesus makes dead hearts alive.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Paul’s wider argument in Ephesians help us understand why we needed God’s intervention?
• Observation: What words or phrases in this passage show our hopeless condition before Christ?
• Meaning: What does it mean to be “made alive with Christ,” and how does it connect to grace?
• Main Idea: How would you phrase the central question this passage is asking about our need for God’s grace?
• Application: In what areas of life do you need to remember God’s grace rather than trusting in your own efforts?

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for rescuing me from my sin when I was powerless. Remind me that my salvation is all about Your love and kindness, not about my goodness. Just as You changed Saul’s heart, change my heart every day to love and follow You. Help me live out the good works You have planned for me, always pointing back to Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Romans 8:28–39, NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Devotional Thought
Paul tells us here that God’s love will never fail. If we trust in Christ, we are forever safe in His arms. The apostle Paul was once Saul, a persecutor who hated believers. Yet God chose him, turned his life around, and filled him with a deep passion for the gospel. This same God works all things for the good of those who love Him. It doesn’t mean everything in life will be perfect or easy, but it means He will weave every event into His plan. Even when life seems scary, uncertain, or out of control, we can be sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
This passage also points to the doctrine of perseverance: those whom God calls, He keeps. In Acts 9, Saul discovered that God’s grace is unstoppable. Once God set His love on Saul, nothing would keep Saul from becoming the man God intended him to be. It’s the same for us today. No hardship or heartbreak—no outside trouble—can tear us away from Him. If you feel weak or afraid, remember that Jesus holds you in His hands. Your failures don’t change His unwavering promise. His grace is not a fragile gift; it’s an unbreakable bond that lasts forever.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How do the earlier chapters in Romans set the stage for God’s plan of salvation and for this promise of unbreakable love?
• Observation: What words describe how God works in our lives (e.g., “predestined,” “justified”) and what do they suggest about our security in Him?
• Meaning: Why is it important that Christ is “interceding for us,” and how does this connect to the idea of grace?
• Main Idea: What question does the passage ask about who can separate us from God’s love, and how would you answer it?
• Application: When you feel distant from God, how can you hold onto the truth that “nothing can separate us” from His love?

Prayer
Dear Father, thank You that nothing can ever come between me and Your love. Help me trust in Your power and Your promise to use all things for good in my life. Remind me that I am safe in Your hands and that Your grace never fails. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Titus 3:3–7, NIV
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Devotional Thought
This passage offers a simple but powerful reminder: we are saved by God’s mercy, not by our own good deeds. When we think about Saul in Acts 9, we realize how strongly he opposed Jesus. He was determined to destroy the church, and yet God chose him anyway. In our own lives, we might think we’re beyond hope or that certain sins are too great to be forgiven. This Scripture says otherwise. We were once trapped in foolishness and controlled by our own cravings, but God stepped in. He washed us clean by sending His Son to die for our sins and then gave us the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts.
It’s God who pursues us when we’re running away from Him. It’s God who calls us by name. And just like Saul, we are not chosen because of our good works. We are chosen because the Lord is kind and loves to show mercy. This truth sets us free from feeling that we have to earn God’s favor. It also humbles us, reminding us to treat others with the same grace God gave us. If He can save and transform Saul, if He can forgive our sins, He can rescue anyone who turns to Him in faith.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How do the earlier verses in Titus 3 talk about the behavior of believers, and why is that important before we get to verse 3?
• Observation: What words does this passage use to describe our life before Christ and the transformation God brings?
• Meaning: What does it mean that God saved us “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy”?
• Main Idea: How would you turn the idea of God’s mercy and our rebirth into a central question about salvation?
• Application: How can you show the same kindness and mercy to others that God has shown you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me by Your mercy and not by my own works. Help me remember that all my hope rests in Your kindness. Make me a person who reflects Your grace to those around me, just like You transformed Saul into a faithful servant. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.