Prayerfully Re-Center Around God
Ephesians 1:18c-21
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which [God] has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
The Apostle Paul is praying that his readers (and hearers) would have their hearts enlightened. Most everyone wants to have a heart that is enlightened rather than left in the dark. Paul’s desired insight for the heart relates specifically to our calling in Jesus Christ. He doesn’t want anyone to miss out on God’s gifts in Jesus both now and in eternity. Here’s what he wants you to know:
- The hope to which God has called you
- The riches of His inheritance, and
- His power for those who believe
But this is no ordinary, earthly power. No, this is an incomparably great power, none other than the one employed to raise Jesus Christ from the dead and place Him at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Paul wants us to know THIS power. He wants us to live under and through and by this power. In light of this life-giving power, let’s step into a prayerful re-centering around God.
Review
Do you know the power Paul describes in Ephesians 1:18-21 (located above)? Do you believe that you have access to the same power that brought Jesus back from the dead? Do you believe that, as a child of God, you have access to God’s riches in Christ? Does your life in God bring hope regardless of present circumstances? Have you been living according to this power of God or have you been living in your strength? How would you know the difference?
Repent (if necessary)
Repent of any living out of your own strength. Repent of failing to access the power and riches given you through Jesus. Repent of losing sight of your hope in God and letting that hope unnecessarily get overrun by lesser concerns and difficulties.
Return (as necessary)
by using a few agreements from God’s Word:
- I agree that I have access to the incomparably great power that brought Jesus Christ back from the dead.
- I agree that I have access to the riches of God’s glorious inheritance in Jesus Christ intended for all of God’s holy people.
- I agree that I have been called into a beautiful hope of life with God both now and into eternity through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Prayer for the Day
O God our Father, enlighten me (us!); Empower me (us!) by the strength used to raise Jesus from the dead, Unite us in Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.
John 17:11,21-23
The
Great Sending
Word of the Day
John 17:11,21-23
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
...
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.