Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)”
Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
These verses describe us as failures, perfected in sinning, rotten and corrupted, living under the dominion of the devil, living out the drives of the flesh, and being by nature children of wrath, even as the rest of mankind.
Then verses 4-5 say, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses . . .”
Even when we were in that situation, God loved us.
Here again is God loving people who are failures, perfected in their failure, and who are spoiled and corrupted to the uttermost.
And verses 5-6 show God demonstrating His love: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
This unveils the nature of God’s love toward us.
We usually live in the realm and on the level of our worthiness and our condition.
In this realm, whether God loves us depends very much on whether we feel we are lovable.
If we think we have “measured up” a little bit–we have had a better week, or have done a few extra good things–then we feel that we can receive the love of God.
Many times our perception of God’s attitude toward us is based on our own feelings about ourself.
God’s love is far beyond our human concept or idea.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
Thursday’s Prayer Requests
Linda Alexander
Joel Bateman – Hospice
Ethel Proudfit – Hospice
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Ashton Bateman
Brandon’s Dad
Charlene Palmer
Darlene Thaxton
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Dr. Don Davis
Easton Fielder
Erik Magusson
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Jim Mabe
June Cronan’s Sister
John Austin
John McClain
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Michael Stanley
Mike Ferus
Ricky Gipson – Ashley’s Brother
Rose Fuller
Sandra Graham
Scott Nix
Terrell Loyd
Tom Witcher
James Garner’s Friend
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lonzo Christin
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Stubbs
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier
Sheila Simmon’s Cousin