Do Not Depart

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A Fragrant Offering

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We are Christmas-a-holics at Chez Underwood.  Our attic is full of decorations and we’ve been known to have more than 10 trees decorated for the season.  In fact, last year, we decorated both our house in Georgia and “The Cottage” in Alabama.   I love all the twinkling lights, handpicked ornaments and especially each of our Nativity sets.   My daughter loves the outdoor decorations and putting lights up on the house.  And my husband … well, he loves all of it.  In fact, he loves it so much that our guest room is Christmas themed year round.   In order to keep the Christmas-y vibe alive during the blistering hot summers here in south Georgia, he has invested in scented candles.   The fragrances of Christmas draw you in when you are in that room … the thick evergreen scent melts into the warmth of cinnamon and you want to curl up in the Christmas throws and watch your favorite Christmas movie.

Photo by Teri Lynne Underwood

Scents affect us.   The fragrance of honeysuckle can take us back to childhood summers.  Walking into the kitchen with an apple pie in the oven reminds us of grandmother’s house.   And just the hint of chocolate chip cookies can bring a smile to almost any face.

Scents affect God as well.  Time and again in Exodus and Leviticus we are told that various offerings presented a “pleasing aroma to the Lord.”  Paul reminded the church at Ephesus that Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate fragrant offering:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

As we become more like Christ, our lives too become fragrant offerings to the Lord … pleasing aromas of the sacrifice of self.   Just as Paul gave clear instruction on what we were to “put off,”  he also offers us guidance about “putting on” the righteousness of Christ.

What are these traits that are fragrant to the Lord?

  • Gracious speech – As we put away our foolish speech, we replace it with kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
  • Discerning hearts – We lay aside the covetous desires of the old life and find instead wisdom and discernment about what is “good and right and true” (5:8-10).
  • Thankful attitudes – Pursuing Christ, we move beyond the bitterness and anger of the flesh and instead diligently live in gratitude for the work of the Lord in us and around us (5:19-20).
  • Personal sacrifice – The change is us is best seen as we give up our excess and instead live sacrificially, learning to submit to others and seek their best instead of our own (5:21).

You are probably thinking – much like I am – HOW is this accomplished?  These changes are not small and certainly not simple.   In fact, we are unable to make the leap into these traits on our own.    By the grace of God, we don’t have to do this on our own … He gives us instruction and direction about how to “put on” Christlikeness, how to become that pleasing aroma to Him.

Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV

It is the renewal of our minds that changes us!  Not our actions or thoughts or intentions but as Paul shares in Romans, we are transformed  through Him, through obedience to Him, through living for Him.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2 ESV

We are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices … Oh that the sacrifice of our lives would be a fragrant offering, a pleasing aroma to Him.

How has God worked in you to renew your mind, to bring you more into Christlikeness?

Don’t Live Carelessly!

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I remember {vaguely!} waking up  the first day of my senior year of high school and thinking May was forever away.  Thoughts of homecoming, senior pictures, prom, and graduation were merely exciting ideas that were yet to come.   I was looking forward to skipping class to go to the lake, being the “boss” of the high school, and enjoying the spontaneity of whatever the next 180 school days held.

My best friend and me at our 20th reunion in 2009.

Somehow, though, my careless attitude about the {very short} months ahead of me wasn’t always the wise course of action.   Decisions had to be made … college applications completed, acceptance letters received, scholarships sought, and I still had to go to class and work some to help offset the expenses of matriculating in 1989.

I have a letter my Daddy wrote me at the beginning of my senior  year:

The days of you living in our home are drawing rapidly to an end.  There never seems to be time enough to tell you all I want you to know.  I love you and I am proud of who you are becoming.  … Know this, there will always be opportunity for poor choices and careless decisions.  But the consequences for those types of things last long after the fun “in the moment” has passed.   My hope is that your life is full of experiences and opportunities you cannot begin to imagine right now.   But more than anything, I pray you live in close communion with Christ.

That’s a wise Daddy, huh?  I’m thankful for him and for my mom who have weathered many storms in my life and watched as I lived carelessly and faced the consequences of those choices.   Because I hear my Daddy’s voice even as I re-read his words written over twenty years ago, I think I hear Paul’s tone as he is writing to the believers at Ephesus:

And so I insist – and God backs me up on this – that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. … Watch your step.  Use your head.  Make the most of every chance you get.  These are desperate times!  Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly.  Make sure you understand what the Master wants.  {Ephesians 4:17, 5:17 MSG emphasis added}

Paul, as their spiritual father, longs for them to live in the fullness of God’s plan for their lives.   He gives them counsel about looking like Christ.   Today, we’re going to look at what we must leave behind, put away, as we pursue the imitation of Christ.

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.  Ephesians 4:22 ESV

What are these characteristics of the old self?

Foolish speech … Paul admonishes against lying (Eph 4:25), words spoken in anger (Eph 4:26), corrupting talk (Eph 4:29) and filthy talk,  crude joking (Eph 5:4)

Covetous hearts … Strong warning is offered against not just sexual impurity but also about idolatry (Eph 5:3) and even thievery which desires what someone else has (Eph 4:28).

Bitter attitudes … Specific mention is given to bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander (Eph 4:31) – all of which begin in our hearts and manifest in our attitude and treatment of others.

Personal excess … In Ephesians 5:18, Paul cautions against drunkenness and debauchery.   We must be mindful against the temptation of excess in all areas of our life.

Why must we put off these flesh-clothes?

And give no opportunity to the devil.  Ephesians 4:27 ESV

Remember, our enemy prowls about like a lion seeking that which he can devour (1 Peter 5:8)… we need to remove the bait from our hearts and minds and lifestyles.  We must not live carelessly!

Tomorrow, we’ll take some time to explore what we are to “put on” as we seek to become more like Christ.

How have you seen the effects of living carelessly in your life or in the lives of those you love?

The Oneness of Us

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Image from Photobucket, Text Added

It’s hard to examine the biblical call to oneness without first considering the Lord’s prayer for His followers found in John 17…

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21 (ESV) 

It was the cry of Christ’s heart that we would be one with Him and one with one another just as He and the Father are one. It’s an unmistakeable, unshakeable, unchangeable oneness that exists to resonate the reality of Christ to the world.

As you read through Ephesians 4:1-16, you find that Paul’s call to the Ephesian church echoes the very same heart of oneness.

In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul stresses the eminence of oneness inherent to the Christian faith as he stresses that part of God’s call to walk worthy is the consistent pursuit of unity.

Since there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father, then it only stands to reason that part of our DNA as Christians should be the obvious manifestation of the oneness of us.

The problem is we are all flawed and fallible people with different personalities and backgrounds. In fact, Paul’s call to oneness falls in context with his reminder that God’s “grace-gifts” were given to each of us according to His own choosing. Those varying gifts that make us unique are the very things God uses to demonstrate the oneness of His body.

When we are unified, yielded to and walking in the Spirit and fully functioning in our giftedness, the body of Christ becomes like a well-oiled machine producing Christlikeness as a testament to the world that we are His and He is Lord.

Ephesians 4:13-16 tells us that our unity develops and demonstrates the following:

♥ MATURITY – “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”

♥ STRENGTH & WISDOM – “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”

♥ LOVE – “Rather, speaking the truth in love” “when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love”

♥ SUBMISSION & TEAMWORK – “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly”

Unity is how we grow…it’s how we function as a body! We’re all on the same team. Not just the local church, but the church of God as a whole. We accomplish more when we work together hand-in-hand, side-by-side – cheering each other on and impacting a world for Christ.

Colossians 2:19 says we are knit together. As one body we are woven together like threads of a beautiful tapestry. Each strand holds its own unique color and texture, but when laced together with the others it becomes a stunning work of art. Our giftedness, our races, our cultural and even denominational backgrounds add beauty to the body of Christ. When the body of Christ is unified it’s like a beautiful work of art displayed in the museum of life.

Our unity – the oneness of us – validates our love for one another and communicates Christ in us to a lost a dying world. Our oneness is an answer to the Lord’s prayer!

As we examine the oneness of us today, I can’t help but wonder if anyone reading this is struggling in a relationship with a brother or sister in Christ. If that’s you, please get that thing right today.

What are some ways disunity can hurt the cause of Christ? 

Do you struggle with unity with other believers because of differences or difficulties?

What are some ways to deal with disunity in the body?

Walk Worthy

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photo by Teri Lynne Underwood

I watched her walk away … eleven years old and so sure she could do it on her own.  I remembered other times she had walked away – her first day of school, off to spend the night with a neighbor, across the parking lot to meet her friends.   Often I remind her as she’s going someplace, “Don’t forget who you represent.”  I want my daughter to realize that her life reflects on her, on us as her parents, and on Christ.  I want her to walk well … to walk worthy.

Paul wanted the same thing for his spiritual children in Ephesus:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.  Ephesians 4:1 ESV

What does this worthy walk entail?  How is it that we pursue this noble task of living lives that reflect the greatness of the sacrifice Christ gave for us?  As I instruct my daughter what I expect of her, so too Paul outlines what it is to walk worthy of this great calling in our lives.

Our Attitudes {Ephesians 4:2, 31-32}

Ultimately, our attitude should be the “same as that of Christ Jesus” … rooted in humility.  Paul instructs us to function “with all humility and gentleness” in Ephesians 4:2.   As believers we are expected to be filled with a humble spirit and called to repent from attitudes such as bitterness, wrath, anger, and slander (Ephesians 4:31)  Rather, our attitudes toward one another should be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving (v. 32).  Why?  Because “God in Christ forgave you” (v. 32).  Walking worthy demands a humble heart that is given to kindness and gentleness toward others.

Our Actions {Ephesians 4:2, 29, 5:21}

Behavior is the result of the attitudes of our heart.   We cannot claim a humble spirit and then live self-seeking lives.  Our actions will reflect what is inside us … what motivates us, what controls us.   If we are controlled by the Spirit, our behavior and actions will show it.   Paul gives specifics about these actions in his letter to Ephesus.  In verse two we find that we are to be patient, bearing with one another.   The idea here is “patient endurance even when others have inflicted pain or suffering” (Women’s Evangelical Commentary, 551).  This isn’t about not complaining when the line at WalMart moves slow, this is about extending grace when someone hurts you, not retaliating in kind.  Paul instructs later in chapter four that our speech must build up, “that it may give grace to those who hear” (v. 29).  Did you catch that?  Our words must give grace not just to whom they are spoken, but also to anyone who hears them.  And we are called to submit to one another (5:1).  This submission is rooted in “voluntarily giving up your own rights and bowing your own will to another (WEC, 561).  Our actions – including our speech – must be others-oriented if we are to walk worthy.

At this point, you may be asking the same question my daughter likes to ask, “Why?”   Why does it matter? 

Again we use Paul’s own words:

[Be] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Ephesians 4:3, 30 ESV

We walk worthy – in attitude and action – because it draws us  together, unifies us in the Spirit of God.   This “bond of peace” is found when we live out the words of Christ from John 13:34, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (ESV).

The best way we walk worthy is to live in unity … treating one another with grace, speaking to each other with kindness, loving each other as we have been greatly loved.

In what ways do you struggle to walk worthy? 

How have you seen your attitudes affect your actions in this area?

One in Christ

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As we approach Easter, our hearts and minds focus on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. There is no event in all of history that changed life as we know it as much as the death and resurrection of Christ. Suddenly, God’s people were not just the Jews. The early church struggled to find out what being in this new family of God meant, both for the Jews and the Gentiles. We know Christ’s death and resurrection brought salvation, but it also brought unity and peace. Let’s join Paul in the book of Ephesians as he explained it to the early church.

Paul starts out in Eph. 2:11-12 by reminding the Gentiles that they had been separated from Christ. They were uncircumcised, alienated, and strangers. Verse 13 says by the blood of Christ, they were brought near to Him.  Christ broke down the division between the Jews and Gentiles. Galatians 3:26 & 28 make the same point, “…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Before Christ death, there is no way you and I could inherit eternal life. In the tradition of the Old Testament, it was the oldest son who got the biggest inheritance. The rightful heir was a free Jewish male. But through Christ, we are one. I take on Christ’s identity and become neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. But you can imagine how the believers who had been “free Jewish males” would react to this sudden family growth! And you could imagine how those who had been uncircumcised alienated strangers would struggle to assimilate into this traditional, holy family.

That is why Paul wrote that Jesus had broken down the dividing wall of hostility, abolishing the law of commandments and had created “in himself, one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (v. 14-16). Paul goes on to write, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (2:19). One new man, fellow citizens, and members of the household! Praise God for the love and grace He extends to all people!

Once the early church knew they were supposed to be unified, they had to experience peace together. Paul was really an ambassador of this peace. He, of all people, would have been the first to exclude the new family member. He was a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (see Philippians 3:4-7). Paul wrote, “I am the very least of all the saints, yet this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things” (Eph. 3:8-9). Paul preached this peace, and set an example with his life for all those in the family of God to follow.

So how does the unity and peace Christ brings affect us today? Here are a few practical ways:

  • Be sensitive to visitors to your church, especially those who don’t feel like “part of the family.” Give grace and give up your seat (if necessary).
  • Be aware of the struggle new believers (or new church members) might have in the activities and ministries of your church. One thing I like to do when someone new is coming over for a Bible study or fellowship for the first time is to give that person a job. For example, I’ll call her and say, “I’m so excited you are coming over for our book club! Do you mind coming early to help me get the snacks ready?” That way the newcomer isn’t walking into a room full of ladies she doesn’t know, and I can introduce her to each person as they come in.
  • Be mindful of your life before you met Christ. You were “by nature, a child of wrath…. but God…” Remember salvation is a gift of God, and you didn’t do anything to deserve or earn it. Preach the gospel to yourself, often.

Praise God for the unifying work of Christ on the cross. Like Paul, look for opportunities to set an example of peace in your spiritual family.

Grace in the past-tense

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There are some things I’d prefer to not have in past-tense…

such as, “when I didn’t have gray hair and stretch marks.”

But in Jesus Christ, past-tense is a profound treasure. Past-tense is our hope.

And you weredead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work inthe sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, andwere by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

ButGod, beingrich in mercy,because of the great love with which he loved us,evenwhen we were dead in our trespasses,made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved…

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)

On our own, we were absolutely without hope.

We were dead in our sin – because of that fateful day in the Garden, we were born dead in our sins. And we chose to continue walking in our sin, day by day living in blind rebellion against God. We aligned ourselves with His enemy, we lived to gratify our desires. We were children of wrath, deserving His judgment and facing God’s certain wrath against each and every one of our many sins.

But God.

But God chose to extend His mercy to us. We could not earn it – He offered it to us when we were dead and rebellious.

But God loved us with a great and inexplicable love. We could not earn it – He lavished it upon us when we were far from loving Him.

But God took us out of our chosen darkness and brought us into His glorious light. We could not earn it – we were actively following the evil one.

But God took us when we were dead and brought us to life. We could not earn it – we were spiritually dead and could do nothing good in and of ourselves.

But God turned us from children of wrath to His own chosen heirs. We could not earn it – He simply chose to us as His own.

When we accept what is offered to us in Christ, our dark, ugly, painful, rebellious past is… past-tense.

This is grace, dear friends. We bring nothing to the table. Nothing that would make us acceptable, lovable, worthy of His affection. He chose to lavish us with His mercy and grace and love – and puts our past in the past-tense.

Praise Him for turning your life upside down! [If you’re reading via email or a reader and the video below does not appear, please click through! It’s two minutes well spent!]

More than a still life

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A “still life” is an artist’s rendering of inanimate objects, such as a painting of a bowl of fruit. These inactive, dormant objects do nothing but sit still. They are not active in the painting. The objects are not even active in real life.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul describes our salvation as a masterpiece of God. Forwe are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10, ESV).

From beginning to end, our salvation is a work of God. Solely God’s creation. The Greek word translated as “created” in Ephesians 2:10 is only used in Scripture to refer to an act of God. Our salvation is something only God can accomplish. We cannot save ourselves. From beginning to end our salvation is a gift from God. We don’t even seek after God (Romans 3:11). He must draw us to Himself (John 6:44). He alone takes the initiative in our salvation. (For more on this see Sandra’s post “Chosen by God.”)

Paul calls us God’s “workmanship.”

The Greek word translated as “workmanship” is poiema. The English word “poem” is derived from this word. We are God’s “poem,” His work of art, His masterpiece. But we were not created as a “still life.” God’s purpose for us is far greater than to be hung on a wall so the Artist’s work can be admired. We were created in Christ Jesus “to do good works.” Works that God determined and planned long before we were even born.

Good works testify to the reality of our salvation. James said that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17, ESV). True salvation will result in good works. Outward acts of obedience to God reveal our salvation. Obedience to God demonstrates we have been saved.

Even the good works we accomplish after salvation have their beginning in God. He has prepared them, ordained them. And we can’t carry them out without the indwelling presence of His Spirit. Our task is simply obedience, to walk the path He has laid out for us. Although God’s specific purpose looks different for each Christian, there are general “good works” God intends for every believer. Here are a few we see over and over in Scripture:

  • We will obey God’s commands (1 John 5:3).
  • We will love our Christian brothers and sisters (1 John 5:1).
  • We will share the truth of Jesus with those who don’t know Him (Matt 28:19-20).
  • We will give generously to those in need (Matt 25:34-36).
  • We will serve the church (1 Cor 12:7).
  • Our lives will progressively display the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).
  • We will work to live holy lives (1 John 3:3).

Both our salvation and the good works God calls us to are accomplished by Him and His power. We have no cause to boast. No reason to pat ourselves on the back. Only reason to praise Him. To give Him glory.

What works has God called you to? How are you doing with following the path He has ordained for you?

Man’s Sin Nature

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Our passage today is Ephesians 2:1-3. In these verses, Paul paints a serious picture of our relationship with a Holy God before we are saved. None of us can say like Switzerland in World War II, “I’m neutral.” We are sinners. As sinners, we have been drafted into the battle. And before you met Christ, you were on the wrong side.

Here is how Paul describes you before conversion: You were dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air. You were a son of disobedience who lived in the passions of the flesh. You were “by nature, children of wrath.”

The Bible is clear about our standing before our conversion. It’s hard to swallow though. Because of God’s holiness and our sin, it’s definitely a “if you’re not for me, you’re against me” scenario. In order to go from children of wrath to children of God’s, we must waive the white flag and surrender.
You probably have coworkers, friends, and family members who are still on the wrong side. I know the pain this causes. We must remember they are held captive by the prince of the power of the air! As we will study later in Ephesians, our battle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12), not against coworkers, friends or family members! Continue to pray for them. When they do something or sinful, remember they are being deceived. Focus your anger not on them, but against the enemy who holds them captive. My husband often reminds me, “You can’t expect lost people to act like saved people.”

Praise God He doesn’t leave us in our sin, as children of wrath! Come back tomorrow as Kristi picks up with verse four which starts, “But God….”

Authority of Christ

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Kristi explored Ephesians 1:16-20 last week. Our passage today expands on her thoughts. We will look at Ephesians 1:20-23.

“…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,and above every name that is is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is the body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

In this passage we see the supremacy of Christ. He has authority over all things. Sitting at the right hand of kings in past days was the highest position possible. What is Christ doing at God’s right hand? Hebrews 7:25 says He “always lives to make intercession for them,” for sinners like you and me!

He is superior to any other authority, power, or dominion because He is perfect. His motives are always pure. His actions are always holy. Have you heard the phrase, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”? That doesn’t apply to Christ. His absolute power does not corrupt, rather His power keeps the earth spinning and our lives conforming to His will.

This is not only true of the earth now, but the future age. During the thousand year reign after the end of the tribulation, Christ will reign and those who did not worship the antichrist will reign with Him (Revelation 20:4).

Christ is not only the ruler of the earth, but He is the head of the church. Ephesians 5:23 also gives this description, “Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its savior.” As the head, Christ leads and guides the church to fulfill the mission He has given her. All the decisions we make should be led by Christ’s example and His guidance.

In this passage we see Christ’s authority over earth, the future age, and the church. We can praise His name for His power and love, trusting that His authority is perfect and true!

The same mighty power

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Yesterday, Stephanie gave us a peek into the apostle Paul’s prayer life. Today, we’re going to focus in on one portion of his prayers for the Ephesian believers, listening at the door of his prayer closet and fixing our attention on Ephesians 1:19-20.

…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…

Now, as we study through this epistle (or letter), it is very important that we:

  1. Keep Paul’s statements in context – look at the verses before this short section. Paul is recounting how he constantly thanks God for these believers in Jesus, and prays that God would give them wisdom and deepen their understanding of Him.
  2. Understand what he is really saying. It’s easy to get lost in the many connecting phrases in Paul’s infamously long sentences! We need to look closely at what his main points are. One method of study that is always very helpful for me is a mechanical outline – spacing the phrases to show the  logical flow of thought. Like this:

From doing this, we see that Paul’s main request in this portion of the prayer he prays for these believers is – that they may know on a deep level

  • the hope God has called us to,
  • the glorious inheritance He has given us,
  • and the greatness of His power in our lives.

These verses struck me so much when I studied through this passage a few weeks ago. You see, I don’t doubt for a minute that my God is powerful. I sing with my children – “my God is so big, so strong and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do!” I believe it with all my heart. I believe that God made this whole beautiful, incredible world. I believe that He is completely sovereign and supreme over everything in the universe. I believe He holds this big world and my little life in His hands.

But… how often do I begin to think, deep down, that my problems and needs are too much for Him? That He cannot redeem the darkest nights of my soul? Wonder if He will be able to transform me – even on my worst days where my old sin nature shines through – into the image of His dear Son?

Notice what this verse says –

The power of His Holy Spirit in my life is the same awesome power that brought Jesus from broken death to glorious life. The power of God in my life is the same power that rolled that stone away and revealed a glorified Jesus walking out of his own grave.

The same power.

Oh, that we would know the hope and glorious inheritance we have in Jesus – and may He cause us to know, really know, that it is His same power that is at work in our lives! Notice Paul didn’t pray that God would give them power – He prayed that they would realize that they already had it in Jesus!

What is heavy on you today, friend? How impossible the problem, how staggering your sin?

May God open the eyes of your heart to see today how big our God really is – and that His power has never changed.

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:16-20, NLT

I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[g] 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

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