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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scripture:  Luke 23:35, “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him…”

Devotional Thought:  Have you ever been misunderstood? Misjudged? Lied about? Most of us don’t need to think very far back to answer that. Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t what was said, it’s who said it. A parent. A friend. A co-worker. A church member.
And in those moments, the natural response is to fight back, defend yourself, and prove them wrong. But when Jesus was mocked, accused, and publicly humiliated, He didn’t fire back. He didn’t correct the record. He didn’t let their words define His worth.
When you allow their opinion to shape your identity, you hand over your story to someone who doesn’t even know the real you. But Jesus shows us a better way.

Reflection:

• Whose words have had too much power in your life lately?
• Have you been living to prove someone wrong, or to honor who God says you are?

Prayer:  Jesus, I admit that I’ve been trying to defend myself in ways that aren’t healthy. Help me to release the opinions of others, and let Your voice be the one that defines me.

Action Step:  Write down the name of someone whose words you’ve internalized too deeply. Say aloud to remind you, “Their story of me is not my story. Father, You define who I am.”

Scripture:  Luke 23:36, “The soldiers also came up and mocked Him…”

Devotional Thought:  Few things are more frustrating than not being able to explain yourself. When people have already made up their minds, it feels like you’re shouting into the wind. But Jesus, who had all power and all truth, remained silent. Why? Because His purpose mattered more than His reputation.
You don’t have to prove yourself to people who aren’t willing to hear. You don’t have to win every argument or correct every critic. That’s exhausting. Jesus shows us that the real strength is in self-control, not self-defense.

Reflection:

• Where have you been tempted to “set the record straight” at the expense of your peace?
• What’s one situation where you need to release your need to be understood?

Prayer:  Jesus, give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay silent. Help me follow Your lead and trust You to defend me when I feel misunderstood.

Action Step:  Stop rehearsing the imaginary argument in your head. Catch yourself and say: “Jesus, I release the need to be understood by them. You know the truth.”

Scripture:  Luke 23:34, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”

Devotional Thought:  This might be the most shocking prayer ever spoken. Jesus didn’t just forgive in private; He forgave out loud. In front of His enemies. While they were still mocking Him. While He was still bleeding.
And notice why He forgave them: “They don’t know what they’re doing.” He wasn’t excusing their actions. He was acknowledging their blindness. The truth is, people rarely see your whole story. They act out of their own pain, pride, and fear.
Jesus forgave not because it didn’t hurt, but because He refused to let their ignorance define His identity. You can do the same.

Reflection:  

• Who do you need to forgive for not knowing your whole story because of their blindness?
• Can you recognize that their actions may have come from their own brokenness?

Prayer:  Jesus, help me forgive like You did, even when it still hurts. Help me see people with grace, especially when they don’t understand me.

Action Step:  Write down this phrase and pray it over someone you’re struggling to forgive: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know, because of their blindness and brokenness, what they’re doing.”

Scripture:  Matthew 5:44, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Devotional Thought:  Jesus never commands something without also offering the power to live it out. Forgiveness is never easy, especially when the wounds are still fresh. But loving your enemies and praying for those who hurt you isn’t weakness, it’s spiritual strength.
When you choose forgiveness, you take back control of your peace. You stop letting their actions dictate your emotions. You let God be the One who tells your story, not them.

Reflection:  

• What would it look like to love someone who hurt you, not through words, but through prayer?
• What fears or resistance come up when you think about forgiving them?

Prayer:  Father, You know this feels impossible. But with You, all things are possible. Help me start the process of forgiveness, one prayer at a time.

Action Step:  Pray for the person who hurt you, even if you don’t feel like it. Ask God to bless them, soften their heart, and heal yours.

Scripture:  Matthew 5:45 – “…that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

Devotional Thought:  Forgiveness doesn’t just set you free; it reveals your identity. Every time you choose grace over revenge, peace over drama, and love over resentment, you show who your Father is.
You don’t have to carry bitterness anymore. You don’t need to prove your worth. You are not who they say you are; you are who God says you are: loved, forgiven, His.
Let forgiveness be the loudest thing about your story. Let grace be the mic drop that changes your life.

Reflection:  

• What would change if you started seeing forgiveness as part of your identity?
• What “better story” could your response begin to tell today?

Prayer:  Father, help me live like Your child; not shaped by accusation, but formed by grace. Let my response to hurt reveal the hope I have in You.

Action Step:  Write out this sentence as a reminder of who you are: “I am not who they say I am; I am a child of God, fully loved and fully known, seated at the table with Jesus.” Then read it out loud today every time a painful memory resurfaces.