Trading Our Old Lives
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

“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.”

There is nothing in us, of ourselves, that turned to Jesus on our own. Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”

Get the picture, a loving merciful God created us, drew us to Himself by the Holy Spirit, sent His Son to die for our sins, just to bring us back in right relationship with Himself. Wow, what a loving God. We do not have to earn our way to heaven, it is a free gift. We do not have to beg, or strive in salvation; salvation has already been provided.

The people of this world make great efforts to achieve wealth and status only to find out in the end, they cannot take it with them. It is good to try and achieve and become successful, but in all of that striving remember why we are here, it is all for the glory of God.

This morning, love Him, worship Him, thank Him for all that He has done for us to bring us back to Himself. I know it sounds too easy, but what we in essence are doing is trading our old painful lives for a life of freedom, overcoming power, blessings untold, favor, healing, restoration, and strength.

Prayer:
Lord, we give all of our labor and efforts over to You, make something beautiful out of our lives. Make us vessels of honor for You to show the praises of God by the life we live. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!