Thoughts for Life: #22 Assured of God's Mighty Power

Andrew Murray- This doxology, [Assured of God's Mighty Power], gives a revelation of what lies at the root of Paul's standard of prayer and expectation.
He was confident that his prayer that believers be strengthened with might in the inner man, according to the riches of God's glory, would be granted. (Google image, Clip art-woman praying)

Many say this was meant to be an ideal to stir our desires, but that its actual fulfillment in life in this world is beyond our reach. This thought cuts away the root of the faith in the supernatural power of God in our lives. Since it is absolutely secured in the promise, it is therefore possible in experience.

Paul dares any reader to say that what he asks for out of the riches of God's glory is too high and beyond what we dare think of ask. He knew what the greatness of God's power had done in his own life.

He knew God was ready to do a miracle in anyone who would give himself up with his whole heart and life to trust God. He answers every doubt and encourages every sincere soul who is willing to trust God for the fulfillment of the prayer to say with him,

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen" (Ephesians 3:20).

Here is Paul's standard of the New Testament life. Is it ours? Do I believe it with my whole heart and soul? Does it inspire my private devotion in the prayer closet? Does it make me realize that my life's devotion is the best and the happiest thing there is in the world?

Who will yield himself, like Paul, to be an intercessor? Who will plead not only with but also for the believers around him, that they may learn to expect the almighty power of God to work in them?

What has previously appeared beyond their reach may become the object of their longing desire and their confident assurance—a life of faith in which Christ reigns in their hearts.
Chapter 11, pp. 54, 55, italics added)

Receiving Power from God

by Andrew Murray
Copyright © 1984

by Whitaker House

Used by permission

www.whitakerhouse.com.

Let's pray-

Father, Paul's standard of prayer and expectation shows us that his prayers were that believers be strengthened with might in their inner man, according to the riches of Your glory.

It is thought by many, that this is an ideal to stir our desires, but that its actual fulfillment in life is beyond our reach. This belief cuts away the root of the faith in Your supernatural power. We need to know that it is absolutely secured in the promise, and therefore possible in experience, and that we are to ask for Your power to work in us, as You did in Paul.

He knew You were ready to do a miracle in anyone who would give himself up with his whole heart and life to trust You. His standard of the New Testament life is ours, if we dare to believe it with our whole heart and soul. Let it inspire our private devotion in our prayer closets, inspiring us to realize that our life's devotion is the best and happiest thing there is in the world.

May we yield ourselves to be intercessors who will plead not only for ourselves, but also for the believers around us to expect Your almighty power to work in them.

We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; He

turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out

of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set

my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to

stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn

of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the

Lord and put their trust in Him.”

Exodus 15:13 “In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed. In your strength you
will guide them to your holy dwelling.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Let petitions and praises shape
your worries into prayers, letting God know your
concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s
wholeness, everything coming together for good,
will come and settle you down.”

Today's quote-

~ Wesley Duewel- "Christmas speaks of love—the love of God the Father who gave, the love of Christ who came, and the love of Christ's people who share. Christmas is such a beautiful time because it is a time of expressing love. Even those who are not within Christ's family feel the warmth of the Christmas season and often they, too, manifest more love than at other times of the year. It is the love of God that kindles love in us and others. We love Him because He first loved us (John 4:19).

(Quoted from "Christmas is for You . . . and the World, by Wesley L. Duewel. Used by permission o f Duewel Literature Trust, Ind., Greenwood, IN.")

(To order the booklet, and to see all of his books available, use their website: www.duewelliteraturetrust.org)

Words of wisdom-

~ Our giving to God becomes supernaturally effective, as it is placed into His Hands as a gift.

~ We have the important expression of how we acknowledge and honor the lordship of Jesus in our lives through our giving.

Today's popular post-

#17 God's Power in the Ministry of Duncan Campell

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: "My dear friend, the Rev. Duncan Campbell, minister of the United Free Church of Scotland, was mightily used in the Hebrides revival which began in December 1949 and continued in several waves in succeeding years."

I quoted from this post about Duncan Campell, something I'd written concerning "one of our pastors" in the Question that was asked:

"One of our pastors visited some place recently with his family. When he returned a few days later, the owner asked if he was the one who was there with all of his children recently. He answered, 'Yes'. The man then said words to this effect: 'Whatever you're doing, keep it up!' "

Today's question-

Can the above be said about us?

Today's sermon spotlight-

Live to Give Series

The Heart of a Giver

By Ben Levendusky

Madrid, NY Dec. 1, 2019

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam NY church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)