Created in Christ to do good works

God I pray that you would revive my soul, my confidence, my purpose.

For you have said in Ephesians 2
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God I want to claim this promise that I am created by you in Christ Jesus to do good works, the ones you have prepared for me to do. 

God I repent of my heart that made me think it had to be something big or feel important, but I want to claim your good works. I want to love like Christ and live with purpose like Christ. Trusting that whether I see it or not, whether it seem big or important in the eyes of the world that it is a good important work for you and for the love of others. For I desire to love others. I desire for others to know the joy of your presence, the fullness of life following you, the clarity of obedience to your commands, and the hope in the grace to come when we will dwell in your house forever Lord. 

Memorization 

1. Read context 

We were dead. 

Ephesians 2 v 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

The works are not at all about salvation. And yet the good works are really part of who we are as born again. This distinction is essential. 

Ephesians 2 v 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Remember as we live this way that we are full. We have every spiritual blessing from God to us in Christ. 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 

What is this work? living like Christ, loving like Christ, serving like Christ, sharing the good news of the kingdom of God

Ephesians 4

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

2. What does the verse mean?  

God's work is creating spiritual people giving me life from death in Christ. . Our work is being like Christ, loving, serving, proclaiming, abiding in the Father. This is who we are. Like Genesis 2 paints the picture: God created man and gave us work. He created us for work. 

3. Read the verse several times 

We are the work of God.
Created in Christ
Its interesting the language of saved by grace through faith. Not by Works.
Instead it is a work of God this gift of remaking us in Christ.
But in fact we are created for good works

4. Discuss the verse with God 

a.  ask for God’s help
God why have you saved me? Why have you created me for good works? I don't think you need me, but why prepare work in advance for me to do? Is it for my good? What is good work?
It seems like Paul is really speaking against the idea of being saved by works, but he also really emphasizes we have good works to do.
The difference is that the good works are part of who we are as a new creation. Its not something we have to do to earn something. Its who we are, part of what we were made for

5. Say verse out loud a lot
God's work and good works
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

a. Learn topic & reference first
God's work - us
Good works for us

b. Start with the first phrase 

c. Add phrases 

6. Think about how the verse applies to me and my daily circumstances
I don't understand why - but God prepared works for me to do, and he made me again in Christ to do them. They are good and I can accomplish them, because he prepared them for me to do and he made me to do good works. Its part of who i am

7. Make it the goal to know the topic, reference and verse word perfect 

8. Write verse out 

9. Review frequently over the next few days
Ephesians 2:10
God's work - us- his workers
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God's work- us his workers

Principles for Meditating on a verse of scripture  

1 Pray
God I pray for understanding that you are the God of the universe and I am one of the miraculous works you made. In particular you have created me new in Christ Jesus, you have claimed me as a son. You have made me new, part of who I am is to be your worker doing your good works. 

2 Verse - memorization
God's work - us his workers
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

3 Paraphrase verse in as few words as you can
God's work is us. God created us in Christ to do good works. 

4 Ask questions
What are the good works?
Why did he create us to do good works?
What does it mean that God prepared good works for us to do? Are the works for us or for him or what?
Why did God create us to work?
Are these good works spiritual?
What does it mean that God created us in Christ Jesus?
We were something before, but now we have been created in Christ. What does that mean?
What am I supposed to take away from this.
Paul really emphasizes we are not save by works, but that we are created to do good works. Why does he write this verse? What does he want us to understand about work? 

5 Pray and ask God to help you understand his Word, that His Spirit would give you cross references and clarity so that you understand and can claim the promises and obey the commands
Promise: God prepared good works for me to do, he created me for doing good works.
God has saved me, he has remade me. The works are not something I do to earn salvation. Rather its a part of who I am as a new creation in Christ.
God I pray for a new picture of work.

John 5:

17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

Its good news that God is working. He created then rested, but it seems since then that God has been at his work. 

Praise God that he gave us a sabbath day of rest for now and that someday soon he will welcome us into his rest. 

Hebrews 4

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

It brings to mind the picture of the marathon, we must run the race to the end. We take breaks but we will not rest in this life. The end of the race is the end of our life on this earth. But until then we run with perseverance. Not sprinting. But running and resting. Our Work is to believe in Christ: 

John 6 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love in him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

Our work, our race is to believe to the end, to love him. And we will have joy in the struggle, joy in the pain, joy despite the suffering. We will weep knowing we will be comforted. We will weep and know that he wept and weeps with us now. Our work in knowing him is to live as Christ lived, to let his Spirit use his Word to transform us. To obey Christ's commands and to claim his promises. To continue to repent and believe God and God's better for us. 

So what then is evangelism and discipleship? Is it work? 

2 Corinthians 5 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Would you say an ambassadors work is to do paperwork? To travel? To be trained? To be in meetings? To win an argument? To get a certain way on a certain issue? Those are all things an ambassador does, but the work of an ambassador is to represent their King, their authority and to communicate the message and authority of the one they represent.

6 Emphasize parts of the verse or words focus.
We would say this is made by artist y in wood. Scripture says God is the artist, we are the art and Christ is the medium, the canvas the material that we are made from and in and on.  

7 Context -  What is this book in the bible about? What is this paragraph about? What is the context of the topics in the 

verses? How does this fit in with the rest of the bible? 

8 Cross references – that are relevant and help you understand  

John 15:5 I am the vine you are the branches, remain in me and I in you and you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. 

9 What truth is the Spirit speaking to me to help me understand and apply this to my life.  

10 Praise God! 

11 Live it out! How is God calling you to live this out in tangible ways this week

Since starting to think about this two of my good guy friends in Christ have encouraged me that I am doing good works. I thank you God for this encouragement and the gift of these guys in my life. I do tend to take things to the extreme, so its helpful to have others to help remind me of perspective

God I do desire to create space in my life to seek to grow my love for others and to step into the mission of your son Jesus Christ: loving the World and inviting them to be reconciled to him: to repent and believe. God I pray and ask that you teach me to love like your Son. To not be overwhelmed but to be intentional and purposeful and observant. To see people, to see their hearts and to step into those places.

Longing for a heavenly country

Hebrews 11
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

How do I long for a better country a heavenly one? 
In what ways do I turn my eyes back and think I want to settle for some earthly promises? 

In what ways is the heavenly country better? 

1. No more death
2. No more sin
3. No more twisted thinking because of my flesh
4. I will be able to see God clearly and be with him fully. 
5. We will dwell in a city that will last
6. No more pain
7. God will wipe away every tear
8. I will be fully who I was made to be
9. No more little deaths: no sickness, no disease
10. We will all have a new body
11. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Perfect work and perfect rest. 
12. I will receive an eternal inheritance: one that will never perish, fade or spoil
13. I will be fully saved from sin and death
14. Evil will be no more it will have been defeated
15. No more hatred
16. No more doubt, no more confusion
17. The fullness of love will be expressed and experienced
18. I will see God! 
19. I will know God truly and completely as he has always known me
20. I can truly rest for I will enter the real sabbath rest promised. 
21. Hebrews 11:  40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

How am I tempted to turn back for earthly things? 

1. Wanting to feel important
2. Wanting the rest now instead of waiting for the true sabbath rest
3. Not being willing to endure in love and faith
4. Getting overwhelmed by how little time I feel I have and how little of a difference I feel I can make
5. Not willing to be a slave to anyone even the Lord and even love - but not believing there are only two options; being a slave to sin or a slave to Christ
1. Its true though my selfish heart does not really in the end bring me joy. For I am a slave to my selfish sinful heart and that attitude means I can never be content. 
2. But In Christ his joy can be in me and my joy can be complete as I live for Christ!
6. Not wanting to dwell in tents but to be at rest. Its not about the place as much as the feeling of rest I long for. 

God I ask that you continue to teach me and help me claim the promise of your true sabbath rest: 

Hebrews 4

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Let me run the race with endurance for the joy set before me. That means both running and walking stopping to worship to experience a taste of sabbath. To be still and know and remember that you are God. That you will be exalted. That you have done the work of salvation for me and that my role is to endure to the end holding to your promises and hoping in you. Its just about finishing the race - I don't have to sprint or come in first, all I have to do is finish the race of faith. 

How great do I believe the salvation of God is?

​“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:10-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/1pe.1.10-12.niv

Though I have it and I know it am I aware of how great the mystery of God's salvation is? How aware am I of my need for this salvation? 

How precious do I count it? 

How satisfied am I with it? 

How well do I know it? 

How do I rest in God's salvation? 

Verse 1

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently with the greatest care

1 Peter Memorization /meditation steps blank form 

1. Read context

Salvation 

What salvation?

The salvation that is the end result of our faith

The salvation that when we are receiving it we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

The salvation that is connected to loving and believing in God

What is relation to salvation in vs 5

“who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/1pe.1.5.niv

Salvation that is to come in the end

2. What does the verse mean? 

The prophets literally searched for and looked intently perhaps as one of their lifes main missions. And I have it. I know it. I have experienced it. The grace of salvation. The Joy of knowing the Lord through what Christ has done for me the worst of sinners transformed into a brother of Christ a son of God. One who knows God. One who will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

The prophets ones specifically called by God and with unique Spirit gifting of speaking the word of God looked for something and did not have it in its fullness: They longed for something more. They longed for what God had promised. And its here. Its real. Its power is at work in my life! The prophets who suffered greatly for their faith and their witness they knew the preciousness of the salvation of God. For their hope was set not in this world. Their hope was set in God and their eyes were held up longing for a heavenly city a heavenly real home with their only hope: God. 

The prophets were among the cloud of witnesses remembered in Hebrews 11:

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a cityfor them.

These prophets knew God had something better to come: the salvation of our souls through Christ's life, death and resurection - this power at work in us bringing us from death and darkness without hope and without God to life, truth, grace, hope and intimate connection with the King of Kings. A place in his family and a space in his dwelling his kingdom. 

3. Read the verse several times

4. Discuss the verse with God

 5. ask for God’s help

6. Say verse out loud a lot

7. Learn topic & reference first

1 Peter 1:10 looking for This Salvation 

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you searched intel with the greatest care, 

Start with the first phrase

Add phrases

Think about how the verse applies to me and my daily circumstances

I have been struggling in thinking about time and how to not be controlling and demanding of time but instead give it to God and trust him and let him shape my perspective. Believing not only that he will provide but that its good to live this way and give my time away. 

God has saved me from this world. He has bought me at the cost of the precious blood of Christ. I was a slave to sin and the world. Jesus took my place in pain, in humility, in persecution. I am a free man. But I am also Christs. Instead of demanding something from me in return, he saved me for something better: to know him and to be who he made me to be. For I am made to be like Christ, when I become and more like Christ as I was made to be his joy will be in me and my joy will be complete. I am not a robot, I am the joyful servant of Christ. For he is a good master, he is also my friend, my Father, my brother. 

How precious do believe this salvation is, a little more. God help me see the treasure I have found. Lift my eyes to see what I have lost: nothing and what I have gained: a treasure a joy beyond cost to know the living God and to live for him and live in him: through his Son Jesus Christ. Amen!

Make it the goal to know the topic, reference and verse word perfect

Write verse out

Review frequently over the next few days

Faithfulness not Results

1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

God teach me your ways. Teach me what it means to be faithful to you and not setting my hope in results. How do I live as one entrusted with the mystery of the gospel and the secret of the kingdom revealed that all can know you God and be with you through Christ? How do I live with that joy and urgency of proclaiming the kingdom and not get stuck seeking results? How do I really press into faithfulness and endure when results don't come quickly? 

Hmm that's heavy - for I may spend some time in ministry, evangelism, etc but I know the motives of my heart are not 100%. I know I feel I deserve rest and getting to spend time my way. I know I feel injustice is done to me when more is demanded of me and more is asked of me at work and I have been struggling with in turn putting this burden and annoyance on my coworkers. 

Is the motive of my heart love or feeling important? 

Love not time. Love not obligation. Love not Results. 

Love is the pure power of the gospel: that God really loves us. That he loved us that much that he sent his only Son. 

Faithfulness means I am the servant of one only - that his perspective is the only one that matters. If my master my Lord my Father is pleased then nothing else matters. If I am not faithful but I am successful, efficient, productive, active in life, ministry then I gain nothing. 

1 Corinthians 1: 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Faithfulness is simply this: to love God - to truly love him and seek him and want to know him more and more. And to love others is his call to love deeply from the heart as Christ loved them. His commands are not complicated but simple. Faithfulness is simple obedience and trust that God will meet the rest of the needs: the fruit, the transformation, the provision we need. 

Its all fairly simple but incredibly hard. 

God train me in faithfulness. Train me to not seek results but to seek faithfulness to count only your praise. Let my hope be to be with you and to walk in the joy of obedience as I hear you say well done good and faithful servant. Praise be to God that though my record will not be 100% you will say to me just as you said to your son Jesus Christ: 

Matthew 3:17New International Version (NIV)

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

God I want to live to please you because I know its for my good, its the best possible life, its what I was made for and it will make my joy complete, but I am also so thankful that you gave me Christ's record and don't grade my record for salvation! I want to run the race of faith - faithfulness for the joy set before me to be with you forever. I will fix my eyes on Jesus. God help me consider Christ and his endurance and his hope so that I will not grow weary and lose hope. 

This is my prayer from Hebrews 12:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.