
Monday: The story we rarely tell...
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…”
Devotional Thought: When you tell your story, where do you usually begin? Most of us start with how others hurt us, the betrayal, rejection, or pain we’ve experienced. But the Apostle Paul reminds us of a forgotten chapter: we were spiritually dead in transgressions and sins. Not injured. Not limping. Dead in sin!
It’s uncomfortable to admit, but necessary to remember: before Jesus, we weren’t just victims of sin, we were participants in it. Our story didn’t start with someone else’s wrong, but with our rebellion. And that’s not shameful, it’s powerful. Because until we remember how lost we were, we won’t truly grasp how far He came to rescue us.
Reflection:
•When you think of your story, how often do you consider your spiritual state before Christ?
•Why do you think we often skip this part of the story?
Prayer: Jesus, help me to be honest about the part of my story I tend to forget. Remind me of how far You brought me. Help me see myself clearly, not to feel shame, but to feel awe at the extent of Your love and grace.
Action Step: Write out a short version of your story, beginning with Ephesians 2:1. Don’t just focus on what was done to you; include what you’ve done (yes, do a moral inventory, name your sins big and small).
Devotional Thought: When you tell your story, where do you usually begin? Most of us start with how others hurt us, the betrayal, rejection, or pain we’ve experienced. But the Apostle Paul reminds us of a forgotten chapter: we were spiritually dead in transgressions and sins. Not injured. Not limping. Dead in sin!
It’s uncomfortable to admit, but necessary to remember: before Jesus, we weren’t just victims of sin, we were participants in it. Our story didn’t start with someone else’s wrong, but with our rebellion. And that’s not shameful, it’s powerful. Because until we remember how lost we were, we won’t truly grasp how far He came to rescue us.
Reflection:
•When you think of your story, how often do you consider your spiritual state before Christ?
•Why do you think we often skip this part of the story?
Prayer: Jesus, help me to be honest about the part of my story I tend to forget. Remind me of how far You brought me. Help me see myself clearly, not to feel shame, but to feel awe at the extent of Your love and grace.
Action Step: Write out a short version of your story, beginning with Ephesians 2:1. Don’t just focus on what was done to you; include what you’ve done (yes, do a moral inventory, name your sins big and small).
Tuesday: But God...
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love for us…”
Devotional Thought: Two of the most powerful words in Scripture: But God. Your story was broken, messy, even hopeless. But God… stepped in.
He didn’t love you because you cleaned yourself up. He loved you because He is love. He didn’t wait until you apologized. He didn’t ask you to meet Him halfway. He met you right in the mess. That’s what mercy looks like, not giving you the punishment you deserved. That’s what grace looks like, blessing you with forgiveness and a relationship you could never earn.
Reflection:
•What’s your “But God” moment?
•How does remembering God’s mercy and grace affect how you view your current relationships?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for not leaving me where You found me. Thank You for stepping into my story when I didn’t deserve it. Help me understand “But God” as more than theology, let it be my identity.
Action Step: Share your “But God” moment with someone today, a friend, or maybe a small group member. Be honest about your past and point clearly to God’s grace.
Devotional Thought: Two of the most powerful words in Scripture: But God. Your story was broken, messy, even hopeless. But God… stepped in.
He didn’t love you because you cleaned yourself up. He loved you because He is love. He didn’t wait until you apologized. He didn’t ask you to meet Him halfway. He met you right in the mess. That’s what mercy looks like, not giving you the punishment you deserved. That’s what grace looks like, blessing you with forgiveness and a relationship you could never earn.
Reflection:
•What’s your “But God” moment?
•How does remembering God’s mercy and grace affect how you view your current relationships?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for not leaving me where You found me. Thank You for stepping into my story when I didn’t deserve it. Help me understand “But God” as more than theology, let it be my identity.
Action Step: Share your “But God” moment with someone today, a friend, or maybe a small group member. Be honest about your past and point clearly to God’s grace.
Wednesday: I deserved wrath but received grace.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…”
Devotional Thought: We often think we deserve better in life. Better treatment. More respect. Fairer outcomes. But the Apostle Paul flips the script. The truth? What we deserved was wrath. What we received was grace.
Until we remember what God could have given us, we won’t appreciate what He chose to give instead. Grace isn’t just a concept; it’s a daily miracle. And when you’re anchored in grace, you start offering it more freely to others, not because they deserve it, but because you didn’t either.
Reflection:
•Do you struggle to extend grace to others? Why or why not?
•What helps you stay rooted in the grace God has shown you?
Prayer: Jesus, help me remember the grace You poured out over my life. Let it shape how I respond to those who frustrate, hurt, or disappoint me. I want to live as someone who’s been forgiven much.
Action Step: Make a list of people who are hard for you to extend grace to. Next to each name, write “But I have been shown grace.” Pray for each person today, not from a place of bitterness, but of mercy.
Devotional Thought: We often think we deserve better in life. Better treatment. More respect. Fairer outcomes. But the Apostle Paul flips the script. The truth? What we deserved was wrath. What we received was grace.
Until we remember what God could have given us, we won’t appreciate what He chose to give instead. Grace isn’t just a concept; it’s a daily miracle. And when you’re anchored in grace, you start offering it more freely to others, not because they deserve it, but because you didn’t either.
Reflection:
•Do you struggle to extend grace to others? Why or why not?
•What helps you stay rooted in the grace God has shown you?
Prayer: Jesus, help me remember the grace You poured out over my life. Let it shape how I respond to those who frustrate, hurt, or disappoint me. I want to live as someone who’s been forgiven much.
Action Step: Make a list of people who are hard for you to extend grace to. Next to each name, write “But I have been shown grace.” Pray for each person today, not from a place of bitterness, but of mercy.
Thursday: A seat at the table.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:6, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms…”
Devotional Thought: You don’t just get access to God, you get a seat next to Him. The Apostle Paul says God has seated us with Christ, not in the back row, not on probation, but at the table. Like a good Father, He welcomes us with open arms.
This isn’t just good theology, it’s good news for your identity. You’re not overlooked. You’re not forgotten. And you don’t have to earn your place. You’ve been seated, not because of your story, but because of His.
Reflection:
•Do you live like someone who has a seat at God’s table?
•What would change in your confidence or perspective if you fully embraced this truth?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that I don’t have to fight for a place with You. You’ve already given it. Help me live like I belong, because of what Jesus has done, not what I do.
Action Step: Take five minutes today to sit in silence with Jesus. No requests. No distractions. Just rest in the truth: you are seated with Christ.
Devotional Thought: You don’t just get access to God, you get a seat next to Him. The Apostle Paul says God has seated us with Christ, not in the back row, not on probation, but at the table. Like a good Father, He welcomes us with open arms.
This isn’t just good theology, it’s good news for your identity. You’re not overlooked. You’re not forgotten. And you don’t have to earn your place. You’ve been seated, not because of your story, but because of His.
Reflection:
•Do you live like someone who has a seat at God’s table?
•What would change in your confidence or perspective if you fully embraced this truth?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that I don’t have to fight for a place with You. You’ve already given it. Help me live like I belong, because of what Jesus has done, not what I do.
Action Step: Take five minutes today to sit in silence with Jesus. No requests. No distractions. Just rest in the truth: you are seated with Christ.
Friday: A story still being written.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Devotional Thought: Your story didn’t end at salvation; it started there. God isn’t just saving you from something, He’s saving you for something. You’re His workmanship, His masterpiece, created with intentional purpose.
Even the painful chapters of your past don’t disqualify you. They prepare you. God has already written good works into the script of your life, things only you can do, in the way you do them, through the grace He provides.
Reflection:
•What good works might God be inviting you into right now?
•How can your past painful experiences become fuel for purpose?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that I’m not an accident or a mess-up. I’m Your workmanship. Show me the good works You’ve written into my story. Help me to walk in them with boldness and grace.
Action Step: Write down one practical way you can live out your purpose of loving others like Jesus loved you this week, whether it's serving someone, reaching out to a hurting friend, or taking a step of obedience. Commit to doing it.
Devotional Thought: Your story didn’t end at salvation; it started there. God isn’t just saving you from something, He’s saving you for something. You’re His workmanship, His masterpiece, created with intentional purpose.
Even the painful chapters of your past don’t disqualify you. They prepare you. God has already written good works into the script of your life, things only you can do, in the way you do them, through the grace He provides.
Reflection:
•What good works might God be inviting you into right now?
•How can your past painful experiences become fuel for purpose?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that I’m not an accident or a mess-up. I’m Your workmanship. Show me the good works You’ve written into my story. Help me to walk in them with boldness and grace.
Action Step: Write down one practical way you can live out your purpose of loving others like Jesus loved you this week, whether it's serving someone, reaching out to a hurting friend, or taking a step of obedience. Commit to doing it.

