June 11 – Strengthen with Power

“…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,…” Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)

We sometimes select a verse that comes from a long sentence written by the Apostle Paul as is the case today. Much of our Bible in the New Testament was written by God's apostles through letters to the first century Christians to encourage them. It is a prayer that begins with v. 14 where Paul says he bows his knees before the Father. Paul often wrote about how he prayed for his Christian friends. Today's verse comes from one of those letters he wrote to the Ephesian believers. But not only to the church in Ephesus. His letters were circulated among all the churches. Also, these words were inspired by God for us too. God is able and ready to strengthen us with power in our inner being. Whatever you are facing today if the Holy Spirit is present in your life He will strengthen you and bring you through it. And, there is no limit to what God can do for each of us. It all comes, out of God's glorious riches. Do you sense the need for strength and power? Don't hesitate to trust God for whatever you need today, even right now.

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April 16 – Rooted In Love

“He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,” – Ephesians 3:16 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul often wrote long complex sentences and this verse is a bit from one of those times. Though the prayer for the Ephesian believers begins in verse 14 and ends in verse 19, Paul’s request is in verse 16. In this prayer he asked for only one thing: His petition in this prayer is that we be strengthened in the inner man. The result of this is that through faith Christ dwells in our hearts. “Dwell” is not a word used frequently in our day but in this passage Paul is praying for our faith to be dwelling in our hearts and permeating our whole being (personalities). “Dwell” refers not to the beginning of Christ’s indwelling at the moment of salvation. Instead it denotes the desire that Christ may, literally, “be at home in,” our lives. That is, dwelling at the very center of and deeply rooted within our being. It is a promise, if we let Him, that Christ becomes the dominating factor in our thought (attitudes), words (speech), and deeds (conduct). Being rooted and grounded in love is for our understanding the awesome extent of Christ’s love.

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November 23 – Gratitude's Source

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

We are considering another passage from the letter to the believers in Colossae.  This is for all who have believed and received the gift of salvation and eternal life whether new in the faith, or one who has walked for a long time with God.  In Paul's time most believers in Jesus were new to the faith.  Paul was eager that they understand how Christians should live.  So, we have what is a good picture of what a Christian life should be starting with accepting Jesus as Savior, living in Him by faith believing, establishing roots and growing in Christ.  Then notice our result is that we are strengthened in the faith as we are taught and learn. Thankfulness begins to overflow in our lives.  When we understand and grasp this promise, gratitude become a significant part of our lives. We can be thankful instead of critical or judgmental of others.  We can live with a thankful heart and forgive others and enjoy the peace of God  that guards our hearts and minds from worry and anxiety.   

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July 24 – No Wavering

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”  Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

Each day on this blog we look at verses which give us promises from God.  Today's verse specifically addresses one person's faith and belief in a promise God made to him.  This verse is about Abraham's response to the promise of a son even though he and his wife Sarah were well past child bearing age.  Abraham held firm to his belief in God's Word and promise to him even though all circumstances indicated the impossibility that the promise could be fulfilled.   We also face times when we are temped by circumstances to waver in our hope.  What a wonderful attitude Abraham had toward God's promise. He did not waver in unbelief, wondering if God would keep His promise.  His reaction was not unbelief but faith.  He was fully persuaded that God was able to deliver on His promise to him.  We too, can experience a strengthening of our faith when we hold firmly to our belief in God's promises.  God wants to persuade us too, and it is through allowing the Holy Spirit to convince us as He convinced Abraham that what God has said, He will accomplish without fail. 

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August 29 – Fully Persuaded

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”  Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

Abraham is an example of faith that persuades. The Bible presents Abraham as a man of faith in both the Old and New Testaments. Today's verse from the letter Paul wrote to the church in Rome set out that example. But we do not share these words to encourage us to admire Abraham but to follow his example because we have the same God the he had and that he believed in. God has not changed. He had power to do what he had promised for Abraham and He did it for him when it seem impossible. He'll do the same for us. So my friends, think of some promise God has given to you, then hold fast to it – do not waver or wonder, instead trust and be fully persuaded God will do what He has promised.