Good morning, beloved friends, this last weekend we celebrated the birth of our country, the 4th of July. For me, I was walking the halls of the hospital, and on a holiday, we work with less case managers, so I had more units. Yes, the day was challenging, there were more opportunities to share God’s love.
Teaching
In Romans 15:4, scripture brings hope and comfort, I certainly experienced that this weekend as I worked as a case manager. I was able to share my hope with many this last weekend and I felt the Holy Spirit give me strength.
As I continue to read Dr. David Jeremiah’s, The Holy Spirit You May Not Know, in Chapter 9 he covers that we receive our strength from The Holy Spirit.
Read with me the main passage that Dr. Jeremiah cover in this chapter.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Just as I faced the challenge of a large case load on the holiday, many of us have daily challenges. Some of you are facing health crisis, perhaps you are separated and recently you were locked out of your home, or perhaps you are estranged from an adult child. Maybe you are a worrier, and anxiety plaques you. So many times, we forget to go to the Lord in prayer.
Dr, David Jeremiah in his book points out the apostle Paul’s position as this prayer begins, he was kneeling. He shares that Jesus knelt in prayer at the garden of Gethsemane and that someday every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. Paul was emphasizing the importance of this prayer of daily asking for strength. He writes, ” When you kneel before Him, you are saying, “God, You’re in control.” He shared that he wrote in his journal, “Lord, we’re counting on You.”
I have often heard and maybe you have heard this too, “All we have left to do is pray!” Many thinks of prayer as a last resort. However, what if we prayed first. Paul shows reverence by bowing and addressing his prayer to the Father.
Dr, David Jeremiah then goes into the possibilities of Paul’s prayer. In verses 16-19, Paul prays that from God’s love we are strengthened, Christ will dwell in our hearts, we will be rooted and established, grasp how wide and deep God’s love is for us, and we will be filled with Christ. What jammed packed three verses that we should pray over our loved ones.
Strengthen, dwell, rooted, established, grasp, beloved friends–what more could we ask.
Oh, but let us not forget the last two verses of this prayer,
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Do you see it sweet friend, to him be the glory, the one who is at work in you and is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask of imagine. We have not because we haven’t asked. What miracle do you need in your life? This is the potential of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians. He is in the business of answering our prayers.
Dusty Road
During my travels on the 4th of July, I met a special patient, her name is Anita. I ask that you join me in praying for her. She is on a special journey, but the disease will not win, you see the victory is in knowing Jesus. Now on the dusty road, the deer are plentiful, but the baby goats still remain my favorites.
Our inner strength is from the Holy Spirit. Our Hope and comfort come for the gift of the Holy Spirit however, none of that is possible if you do not know Jesus as your savior.
Conclusion
To God be the glory great things has He done. He gives us comfort, hope, and inner strength.
He answers our prayers even when the answer doesn’t seem to be what we prayed.
Father God, you alone are worthy of our praise. We ask for healing for the many that are in need of healing, we ask for provision for those who are suffering. I ask for that inner strength to keep going. May we grow in your likeness. Thank you for providing health and healing to many. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
How will you apply this post.
