BOW Team Member Virginia Grounds shares the message on God’s handiwork that she presented last weekend.
Virginia Grounds at Highland Baptist Church
It was a beautiful Spring day in April for the annual ladies brunch as Highland Baptist Church in Dallas.
Ladies and guests came to fellowship, connect with one another, and hear a word from God. The theme was “God’s Handiwork” from Ephesians 2:10, and each lady received a cross-stitch pattern to create something representing their own creativity as a reminder of God’s workmanship.
I absolutely loved being with this group of ladies! What a warm and friendly group.
In the message I presented to them, I explained the theme verse of Ephesians 2:10 phrase by phrase. The group participated in discussing a few verses about how to serve. I used the NIV translation which says; “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
God created us to do good works following our salvation experience, but it is not by good works that we gain a personal relationship with Christ. The good works in this verse are deeds of righteousness and holiness to serve and glorify God for the benefit of others. In addition, these deeds edify others so that they may know and grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus.
Created for a purpose
Ladies, we have been created for a purpose. That purpose is to know and love the Lord our God with all that is in us. Out of that love comes the desire to serve Him by doing the good works He prepared in advance and brought us into His Kingdom to do.
Ephesians 6:7 tells us that we are to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. That means we are to serve with all that we are and all that is within us in agreement with God in the task. But, in order to be effective in our service, we must know Him first and out of the knowing comes the desire to serve as love for Jesus builds within us. When we love Him, it makes our motives right for serving Him.
Love before service results in a servant who is satisfied and fulfilled. She exemplifies Christ in us. We are God’s handiwork.
I was blessed to serve the women of Highland Baptist Church.
Other resources by Virginia Grounds:
Persevering in Ministry Through Hard Times
Three Steps to Great Leadership
