Tag: strengthened with power
Immeasurably more!
Scripture reading for August 27th: Ephesians 3
“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:7-11)
As a preacher called by God, Paul knew his purpose and the task at hand. He would make know the ‘unsearchable riches of Christ’ to the Gentiles! This “mystery” had been hidden throughout the ages, but was now to be made known by the Christ’s church and her preachers and members! God’s eternal purpose was that Jew and Gentile all be reconciled to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
To this end, Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus and for Christ’s church in the coming ages! “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints , to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-20) Because of the unsearchable riches of Christ, Paul knew that God could and would do ‘immeasurably more’ than they could as or imagine!
Filled with a knowledge of His will!
Scripture reading for October 4th: Colossians 1:1-19
The Colossian Church was under attack by false teachers. These teachers were promoting religious rituals and were using mystical techniques to move the church members away from Christ and His holiness. It all seemed good on the surface, but it was not of God or Christ or from the Holy Spirit!
“To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossi: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints–the faith and love that spring from hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the Gospel that has come to you.” (Colossians 1:2-6a) Paul addressed the ‘holy and faithful brothers’ at Colossi. There was evidently a faithful remnant who were truly saved and filled with the love of Christ. Paul told them that he was praying for them with thanksgiving for the work of Christ in them. The Gospel of Christ always produces fruit of love and faith in those that receive it.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord, and may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you might have great endurance and patience. . .” (Colossians 1:9-11)
I love Paul’s prayers and have often prayed this prayer for myself and others. Paul knew that the best way to love these believers was through prayer. God would give them knowledge of His will as he prayed for them. Paul’s goal was to have them please God, living a life of good works that would bear fruit. The best way to keep them from the false teachers was to pray that the Truth would flood their souls! Why not take time today to pray this prayer for yourself or a loved one? It’s a good way to stay ‘holy and faithful’!