08/21/2026
We have a devotion for our school families from Mr. Hochmuth. Always make sure to grow together in faith, not only at school, but at home as well! Take some time to share this devotion with your family:
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them.
Oftentimes in a classroom, one might hear a teacher say to the students, “Try harder,” or “You need to concentrate better,” or “Take your time,” or “Show your work,” or anything to that effect. The idea is that the child needs to do something better in order to achieve better results. As adults, we think the same thing-we need to work harder or do better to see better results. Our world tells us it is up to us, we can do it, we need to do this better or do that better in order to succeed.
But what about our salvation? Is it up to us? Jesus says in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” How are you doing on that one? Are you perfect? I know we all try. But that is not what the verse says. The answer is no, I am not perfect, you are not perfect, none of us are perfect. So how will we be saved if we are not perfect?
Look at verse 8, “it is by grace you have been saved.” What is grace? Undeserved love. Who’s undeserved love? It is God’s undeserved love towards us fallen, sinful people. His love wipes out all of our sins because he sent his son, Jesus, to die the death that we deserve. Jesus died for us. It is a gift that we do not deserve. And what do you do when someone gives you a gift? We say, “Thank you!” Now what do you do when someone gives you a gift that you feel is perfect or a gift beyond your wildest dreams? You say, “Thank you!” for sure, but I imagine you also will go out of your way to show your thanks with your words, actions, etc. Guess what? That is the same thing that we should do for Jesus. Live our lives out of thanks for all he has done. We will never be able to repay him, not even close. But we can live our lives serving him in all we think, say, and do. These are not things we HAVE TO do, but things we WANT TO do. We are saved, we know we are saved-the bible tells us so, so therefore we are filled with joy to show our thanks.
So today, find ways to be happy and serve Jesus for all he has done. Be thankful for all of the gifts he has given. Remind yourself that he has given you today, and that he has a plan for you today.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to show my thanks for you today in all that I think, say, and do. Help me to be happy to serve in whatever ways you have planned for me to serve. You have saved me and I know that one day, I will be with you forever in heaven because of it. AMEN.
