We're going to keep peeking into what Paul prayed for the people of Ephesus and take it on as a prayer for ourselves. Yesterday, we look at the prayer to Know Him. Above all and before all is the prayer that we will Know God Better! (caps make it more poignant)
There are plenty of other things Paul wants his reader to know.
Verse 18: He prays the they (read, we) will have their hearts enlightened to know the hope to which God has called them...
to know the riches of God glorious inheritance in the saints
and to know God's incomparably great power for us who believe.
Here's where this gets dad-gum amazing!
That power Paul is referring to is described as the working of His mighty strength that God exerted in Jesus when He raised Him from the dead! That power is at work IN US and FOR US and THROUGH US! I cannot get over this truth when I really let it set in for a minute.
The power the rolled away the stone.
The power that raised Jesus up.
The power that conquered death.
The power that defeated sin.
The power that touched Mary and told her to go tell everyone He was alive.
The power that caused Him to open His eyes, sit up, and walk out of death's jaws.
That is the same power has been given to us in Christ.
Is there anything, ANYTHING in your life that sits above that kind of power? Do you ever doubt God to be big enough? Do you ever feel like something is more than you can handle? Do you ever feel over-powered? Do you have anything that can be more powerful than that kind of power we just read about?
There is nothing that can touch that kind of power good...or bad.
No depression.
No insecurity.
No pride.
No perfect family.
No independence.
No boss.
Nothing is more powerful than the love it took to raise Christ from the dead.
His power is what gives us life through His Holy Spirit. His power is what is made perfect in our weakness. His power is what lives and moves in us to cause us to follow Him. His power is what transforms our minds in Christ Jesus. His power is what over comes the enemy. His power is what brings you peace. His power is what keeps our chests moving in and out to live. His power is what keeps our earth from collapsing on itself. His power is what draws us in and holds us close.
And it is His power that sets Him up as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The is no greater power....and it is ours. It is the working of His mighty and marvelous strength.
And it is good.
2 comments:
Great stuff! Man! I'm loving this book! :)
I like the Message with this portion of scripture:
I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
Wow!
I am playing catch up but I have started reading the book and I am taking notes from here to refresh my boggled mind this week. This is so good.
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