Tag: Good Works

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God’s Poem

Daily Reading

Ephesians 1-3

Daily Thought

I was a kid taking guitar lessons, and Jack was my teacher. Jack was a master on the classical guitar. Torroba’s Sonatina, Etude #5 by Villa-Lobos, Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie, I practiced and I played as best I could. Then I would hand the guitar to my teacher. Jack would perform the same music–full of plunks and scratches when I played–in his hands something beautiful, heavenly. The guitar was in the hands of the master now.

Paul, in verse 10 of Ephesians 2, calls us God’s workmanship, which is in the Greek, poiema. You can hear our English word, poem. God the poet, and “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). In the hands of the Master now.

Notice it does not say “you” or “I,” but “we,” we together, and not merely by being human, it is the work of Jesus Christ in us. We must be placed in the hands of the Master, and then, we together, the body of Christ, his church, become something beautiful, heavenly, the majesty of God. Every artist has their masterpiece, and God is an artist, and we are his poem, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, You are wonderful. Truly wonderful. What a world. What a creation. The heavens, the oceans, the mountains. Fabulous. And me, too. Fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image.

As I return myself to Your hands, making You master of my life, may I respond to Your leading and reflect Your wisdom and truth and love. Mold me again into a vessel for Your glory. Make my life count because it is lived for You.

Amen

Daily Question

How has God made you better?

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The Applause of God

Daily Reading

Isaiah 31-35

Daily Thought

“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 33:14). Isaiah calls out against the godless, announcing judgment upon the nations. God is a consuming fire; his way is “the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it” (Isaiah 35:8). Isaiah appears a prophet of doom, but his question, “Who among us,” has an answer.  

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
who despises the gain of oppressions,
who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe,
who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed
and shuts his eyes from looking on evil (Isaiah 33:15). 

Isaiah, prophet of doom, is a proclaimer of hope, “For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us” (Isaiah 33:22). He speaks of a people who walk with God, fight oppression, pursue righteousness. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Isaiah summons a people of God to reflect God’s glory. 

There was a concert at the shopping plaza down the street. The band played songs by Journey. Remember Journey? “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Any Way You Want,” “Wheel in the Sky.” I closed my eyes and could hear Steve Perry on lead vocals. Except it was not Steve Perry. It was a guy imitating Steve Perry, and he sounded a lot like him. A LOT like him. They were reflecting Journey’s glory and they were good. I thought to myself, what if the real Journey band was in the audience listening to their songs being performed by this band? I bet they would have loved them. I bet they would have clapped. I bet they would have said, “Well done!” (Matthew 25:23).

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). 

When we reflect the glory of God, we perform and God is applauded. 

Daily Prayer

Father God, when I think of Your Son, how He lived and how He died and how He rose again, I see a picture of You. He is the image, the perfect image of the invisible God. When we see Jesus, we see the Father, we see You. Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

May I be an imitator of You, as well, so that when people see me, they see what You are like. I won’t be perfect, but I will aim for it. You began the work in me, and I trust You will continue it daily. May I love like You love, forgive as You forgive, seek Your righteousness and Your ways, and follow Your steps wherever You lead. And may I live in such a way that You are forever and always praised.

Amen

Daily Question

What are some examples of God’s glory being displayed in your actions?