Scripture Passage: Ephesians 1:3-14 & Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional Thought:
Grace is God’s unmerited favor freely given through Jesus Christ. Before time began, God chose us in Christ and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Him. We were predestined for adoption, redeemed by His blood, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t earned through our goodness—it flows from God’s character, from His delight in rescuing sinners.
Ephesians 2 paints the before-and-after picture clearly: we were once spiritually dead, following the ways of this world. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ—not because of anything we did, but by grace through faith alone.
Grace changes everything about who we are. It transforms us from death to life, from objects of wrath to recipients of mercy. We become God’s workmanship, created for good works He prepared long ago. Grace doesn’t just forgive our past—it reorients our present and future. We get to walk in newness of life, not striving to earn God’s acceptance but responding to the love that already covers us.
Because we didn’t earn this favor, our confidence rests completely on Christ. Grace reshapes how we relate to God—we approach His throne boldly—and how we treat others—we extend the same forgiveness and mercy we’ve received. Grace is both gift and guide, freeing us to live not for ourselves but for the One who loved us first.
As we begin this week, we’re preparing our hearts for a day of fasting on Wednesday. Fasting is a grace-filled practice—not a way to earn God’s favor, but a response to the favor we’ve already received. It’s a way of saying, “You are enough.” As you consider fasting this week, let grace be your foundation. You’re not fasting to impress God or prove your spirituality. You’re fasting because His grace has already made you His beloved child.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what area of your life do you find it hardest to receive God’s grace instead of striving for approval?
2. How does understanding that you were spiritually dead before Christ change how you view who you are today?
3. How might fasting this week help you lean into God’s grace rather than your own strength?
Application: Write down three specific ways God’s grace has changed your past or present. Thank Him in prayer for each one. Begin praying about Wednesday’s fast—ask God to prepare your heart for this time of focused dependence on Him.