February 15, Ephesians 2:4-5

Jeffrey was so excited that he could hardly open his birthday gift. He was pretty sure it was a puppet – something he’d been wanting ever since he’d seen a missionary perform with one at church. He tore off the wrappings and opened the box. Sure enough, there was a puppet inside. His little sister, Debbie, looked on with wide-eyed wonder. “A doll?” she asked. “You’re going to play with dolls?”

“No way!” responded Jeffrey. “This is a puppet like the one the missionary had at church. Remember? I’m a boy and boys don’t play with dolls!” “His puppet was alive,” said Debbie. “It could move and talk, but yours just lies there. I still think it’s a doll.”

“Mine will come to life, too,” declared Jeffrey. “I’m going to learn to be a ventriloquist like that missionary. I’m naming my puppet ‘Andy.’” And starting that very day, Jeffrey worked hard at learning how to make his puppet move and speak. “Andy is alive now.” declared Debbie several weeks later. Jeffrey beamed. He figured he was truly getting good enough to perform as a ventriloquist.

During their family devotion one evening, Dad turned to the second chapter of Ephesians (see today’s Scripture reading). “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;)” read Dad.

“Dead!” exclaimed Debbie. “Who’s dead?”

“God says everybody is a sinner, spiritually dead, and bound for hell” Dad told her. He looked at Jeffrey. “We’re like Andy – Jeffrey’s puppet. Andy is entirely limp and lifeless except when Jeffrey slips his hand inside him, operates the controls, and speaks for him. Andy needs Jeffrey to have any kind of life, and sinners need to trust Jesus as their personal Saviour to receive spiritual life. When we trust Him, He makes us alive and we will go to heaven one day.”

Thought: If you believe in the Lord Jesus, you will be made spiritually alive and you will be in heaven one day.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making me spiritually alive through the Lord Jesus. Thank You also for the hope of heaven that awaits me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.