Morning Everyone!!!! How is your day going? Seen our Great Father's hand at work yet? HE is there and working all the time! Even when we do not see HIM!
Today's Scripture Treasure is found in Ephesians 1:19 & 20...
And what is the exceeding greatness of HIS power toward us who believe, according to the working of HIS mighty power which HE worked in Christ when HE raised HIM from the dead and seated HIM at HIS right hand in the heavenly places,
The power of God working in us! Let's think about that a bit. Is the power of God evident in your life? Do you see the supernatural power of God unleashed in you? Shouldn't we be able to see HIM at work? The answer has to be a definitive YES, based upon today's treasure.
First, the power HE is speaking of is power that is NOT limited by any earthly limitations. HE describes it as the power that was unleashed in Christ when HE raised HIM from the dead and then carried HIM through the heavens into the 3rd heaven. It is this power that is to be working in us! Resurrection power pulsating through our veins!
Next, it is available only for those who believe in Christ (trust HIM to save them). You see there is a transaction that takes place at the moment a person trusts Jesus to save them. The moment they believe, HE seals their trust with the HOLY SPIRIT. HE moves into us to enable us to live the resurrected life. But this is all made possible by exercise of our faith in HIM!
Now here are a few things to consider if we do not see HIS supernatural power at work in us....WHY? This passage unveils Paul's prayer for the Ephesians. That God would open their eyes to HIS awesome work in them.
What areas will I see HIS power at work?
- Freedom from the guilt of sin! Christ has born our sin debt so we can be free!!!! Shall we say celebrate!!!!
- Freedom from the power of sin.....Sin shall no longer have dominion over us!!!!
- Freedom from habitual sin....We are transformed by changing our belief system!!!
- Freedom to follow Christ in simple obedience....By obeying HIS word, we trust HIM to bring it to pass!
- Freedom to love others as HE would have us to do even though they (and we) do not deserve it! It is called AGAPE for a reason! (aka..no strings attached)
- Freedom from the fear of man to worship and serve the Awesome God that HE IS!
Think on this a bit and ask youself, am I free to follow Christ? Am I living in the power of HIS resurrection? You can be and should be! Find out why not and make the necessary changes. Why settle for second best.... mediocre Christianity powerless Christianity! Get out of your comfort zone and let the power of God work in and through you!
Blessings
Bruce
MOOOOORRRRNNNNIIIIINNNGGGGG Everyone! How are you today? Rejoicing in the Wonder of Christ today??!! We should! HE loves you (and I thank the Lord) with an Everlasting Love! Aren't you glad!!!!??? Smile, HE loves you!
Today's verse is a short one to spur your thinking on personal responsibility. How many times have you heard someone say "its not my fault?" Now sometimes I will give in, it isn't but far more times than not it IS OUR FAULT but we just will not take the blame. Consider this next verse and the treasure it has for us....
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
The simple truth found in this powerful passage is that God's word, if properly handled can bring prosperity and success to your world. What are the vital truths found in this. I want us to consider a few things ....
1) God's Word is constantly part of the life.... It shall not depart from you. It is not just salt and pepper to spice up but is the main course. Is that true of you? Or are there seasons where we are absent without leave. Where we neglect to read and feed upon it. Here is a good indicator...are there times when you do not know where your Bible is? Where you cannot find it for perhaps days at a time? If so then it is NOT a constant in your life.
2) God's Word is consistently a part of the thinking process. It is the standard by which decisions are made. Meditation is the act of thinking through the scriptures and its truths and how application is made to our life. It is the light, the instruction book, the compass for all decisions. Is that true in your world?
3) God's Word is correctly applied in our lives by guiding our behavior. It is one thing to speak God's word, another to know it by still another to do it. It is amazing how many times people who speak truth, know truth but do not apply it to their lives.
I will never forget a man who came to me (from another church) with marital problems. After spending time with him pointing out several scriptures to help, I asked him how he was going to apply them. When he realized I was expecting him to DO TRUTH, He looked at me and said " you really believe this stuff don't you?" I laughed and said I sure do.
If I didn't believe God's Word to be truth then what would I stand on??? Human reasoning? Tradition? Secularism? Obamaism? Where has all that gotten us????? I know HIS word is truth and have seen HIM bless so many as they come to HIM through HIS word and reap the blessings.....read on!
Notice the remainder of the passage. Then we will see prosperity and success. Now, any of you not want prosperity and success???? I believe most all people want to be blessed and successful in life. Now here is the trigger point.....What does it all hinge on??? Who is responsible???? I will write it out for you again...
For then YOU (caps mine) will make YOUR way prosperous, and then YOU will have good success.
So if we don't see HIS blessing and success but rather burden and failure many times we can trace the problem back to...............OUR FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! It is our fault! We need to confess our unwillingness to follow God's plan for our lives!
Consider this today! Any changes need to be made in your world regarding time with HIM in HIS word? Any area where HE wants us to change things but we are resisting? May I suggest we humble ourselves and follow in simple obedience! Your blessing awaits!
Blessings
Bruce
