Thoughts for Life: #20 Opening the Door to Power

Andrew Murray- "I bow my knees unto the Father . . . that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (Ephesians 3:14, 16-17).

We see in this wonderful prayer the harmonious work of our triune God. The Father grants the Spirit of power. The Spirit reveals Christ in the heart. Through Christ and the Spirit, we are filled with all the fullness of God! As God dwells in heaven as the Three in One, even so He lives in our hearts. (Google image, Praying with Paul)

At the close of chapter one of Ephesians, we prayed for the Spirit of wisdom that we might know God in the greatness of His power to us who believe. (See #11 The Spirit of Wisdom). Here we have the prayer for the Spirit of power to strengthen us with His might.

The greatness of God's power is to be a permanent experience in our inner life. Let us bow with deep reverence as we gaze upon this mystery of love.

Notice first the expression, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory." Paul wants us to take time and think of God's glory and inconceivable riches.

Then, in faith, we can expect that God will do nothing less to us than according to the riches of that glory. Our inner man can experience the glory of God shining in our heart and manifesting His power in what He does within us.

Our faith cannot expect the fulfillment of the prayer until it enters into and claims that God will work in us according to the riches of His glory. Let us take time and see that nothing less than this is the measure of our faith.

"That he would grant you . . . to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." The Spirit is indeed the might power of God. As the Spirit of wisdom, He reveals the greatness of God's power in us who believe—the power that lifted Christ from the cross to the throne.

He teaches us to believe in the greatness of God's power in us. As the Spirit of power, He works in us, strengthening us in the inner man.

In His Word, God continually calls on His servants to be strong and courageous. God chooses the weak things of this world, but He wants them to be strong in faith and strong in the power of His might.

With strength of will, they can be ready to do all God says; and with strength of character, they will be bold for any sacrifice. In healthy body, strength is not something separated from the whole, but it fills the entire being and permeates every fiber.
(Chapter 10, pp.50-52, italics added)

Receiving Power from God

by Andrew Murray
Copyright © 1984

by Whitaker House

Used by permission

www.whitakerhouse.com.

Let's pray-

Father, it's You Who grants to us Your Spirit. You dwell in heaven, so we have the Holy Spirit living within us to reveal Christ in our hearts.
We have the Spirit of power to strengthen us with His might, to be a permanent experience in our inner life.
Help us expect the fulfillment of our prayers, to claim that You will work in us according to Your riches in glory, and to see nothing less than this as the measure of our faith.
Your Spirit is Your mighty power and Spirit of wisdom. He reveals Your greatness in us who believe, strengthening us in the inner man.
Your Word continually calls Your people to be strong and courageous. You choose those who are weak, to make us strong in faith and strong in Your power and might.
Father, we give our lives to You, trusting Your Holy Spirit will enable us to fulfill Your purpose for our living, so we will glorify You through Jesus, our Savior. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

Heb. 6:19, 20 (NKJV) "This hope we have as an

anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and

which enters the Presence behind the veil,

(v. 20) where the forerunner has entered for us,

even Jesus, having become High Priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek."

Gal. 3:13, 14 "Christ has redeemed us from the

curse of the law, having become a curse for us

(for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs

on a tree'). (v. 14) that the blessing of Abraham

might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we

might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Today's quote-

~ Mark Chironna-"Your way of being is more than how you carry yourself. It is your way of life and of knowing what you know. It is about your character, your lifestyle, and your mode of behavior. Still, it is not as much about doing as about being, and about the animating principle behind the manner in which you express who you are." (p. 100 of Life Quest, Navigating the Gap Between Your Current Reality and Your Future Destiny.

Words of wisdom-

~ As you think on God's word, you'll begin reacting accordingly.

~ We're not smart enough to run our own lives. God will help when we humble ourselves and ask Him to.

Today's popular post-

The Power of Love
By James H. Cagle

There's a law that cannot be broken
A prescription to God's moral plan:
It's "Whatever the heart is in love with,
Soon its virtue is seen in the man."

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)