...[W]hat is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church[.]

 Ephesians 1

...[W]hat is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church[.] Ephesians 1:19-22

Given I am complete with my study of Proverbs, I will return to my study of Isaiah, but for today, I pause to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion - which today focuses on God's omnipotence and how this helps us in our daily battle with sin. The devotion's core message is that we live confidently in light of knowing God's omnipotence. Paul is actually praying for this (v16).  Piper writes: '[t]he omnipotence of God means refuge for the people of God. And when you really believe that your refuge is the omnipotence of God Almighty, there is a joy and a freedom and a power that spills over in a life of radical obedience to Jesus Christ." In this sermon, Piper further explores these verses and shares how these verses enable us to live confidently in our daily battles with sin. I yearn to - with the help of the Holy Spirit - as fully as possible, appreciate God's omnipotence, such that I can live confidently in my battle with sin, and be radically obedient. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - Jesus - You are an awesome God and You provide believers with power through the Holy Spirit - for radical obedience, and to defeat sin - thank You Jesus for this gift and how You never leave or forsake us.  I am not deserving of such blessings, including my faith and salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he 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.

Matthew 9-11, 14, Mark 6, Luke 9

 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he 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. Ephesians 1:18-21

Day 302 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - focusing on Jesus' selection and sending out of the twelve apostles. My commentary* notes: '[i]nterestingly, Jesus does not appear to place particular emphasis on organization, methods of evangelism, or academic religious training. The 12 apostles are mostly of simple education, but the power of Christ is with them."

This morning's reading also includes Herod's act to behead John the Baptist.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Of note with regard to the sending of the twelve:

- Jesus gives the twelve authority (Matthew 10:1–4, Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1, 2)

- They are to proclaim the message and not focus on the outcome (Matthew 10:5–15, Mark 6:8–11, Luke 9:3–5)

- They will be opposed, just as Jesus was

Each of the above are noteworthy in and of itself, but for me this morning, how Jesus gave the twelve authority is key.  Just as Jesus gave the twelve authority, so it is with all believers.  We must understand that Jesus gave all believers that same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me the same power that raised You from the dead - You bless me beyond what I deserve.  I am grateful, but I do not deserve Your love and the many blessings You pour out on me.  Please forgive me for my worry, and my focus on the world.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength and energy.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.

Luke 17

We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty. v10

John Piper this morning helps us better understand how Jesus increases our faith through the messages of Luke 17:7-10.  

Piper explains how Jesus, in the previous verse (v6), Jesus emphasizes "that the crucial issue in accomplishing great things to advance the kingdom of God is not the quantity of our faith, but the power of God....By referring to the tiny mustard seed after being asked about increased faith, he deflects attention away from the quantity of faith to the object of faith. God moves mulberry trees. And it does not depend decisively on the quantity of our faith, but on his power and wisdom and love. In knowing this we are helped not to worry about our faith and are inspired to trust God’s free initiative and power."

In the following verses, Piper explains how, in v7-10, we are never deserving of thanks from God but instead we will always be a "debtor" to Him.  He then explains how "[w]e never move beyond the need for grace.

Our faith should be increased by our understanding that we are dependent on both God's power and His grace.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God - I have seen Your power in my life and in the lives of others...and I see Your grace daily!  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of what You have done in my life and for the grace You dispense daily.  I daily miss the mark with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” v20-21

The disciples, although at least Peter recognized Jesus as Messiah, have not yet grasped the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit has yet to manifest itself for the disciples.  For all of us believers at this point however, we SHOULD understand that we have the Holy Spirit - and this is the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.

Our faith should rest on the power available to us through Jesus Christ. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has made available to me an awesome power and You are with me always - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry, I am quick to anger, I gossip, etc. among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.

Psalm 18

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. v7

For believers, we know that God will never leave or forsake us - that He will be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).  Yet I am not sure we take the time to reflect on the extent to which God will go to protect us - if we call on Him.

This Psalm gives us a glimpse of God's power and how it comes to our aid in times of trouble.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he 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. Ephesians 1:18-21

 

For us to begin to appreciate this power, we need to be in relationship with God and to put on the "full armor of God".

Power indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has not only created the Heavens and the Universe and everything in them, but also rules over all.  You know everything about me, including my sin, yet You came to save me, dying on the cross.  Thank You Jesus for saving me...daily.  I am not worth such love...I worry and am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.

Judges 16

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes. v28

While we are led to believe that it was Samson's hair that gave him his strength, we must all understand that Samson's strength came only from the Lord - as it is true with all of us.  

We must also believe that we are provided with the same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he 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. Ephesians 1:18-21

Lord Jesus, please help understand use the great power available to me through You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has exercised incredible power in my life - as I have seen Your hand.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth how You have poured out Your blessings on me.  I worry far too much and I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Deuteronomy 34

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. v10-12

As I close the chapter of Deuteronomy and reflect on Moses - indeed Moses' greatness is surpassed only by Jesus.  The question in my mind becomes, what is to become of us?  God has a plan for all of us (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29).  God gives us the Holy Spirit - which is a mighty power indeed.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he 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.  Ephesians 1:18-21 

 

So if God has a plan for us and He gives us this mighty power - we should have confidence and aspire to do great and hard things - right? 

 

I believe so. 

 

Lord Jesus - help me understand the great power that You have given me and help me aspire to do great things in Your name.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has defeated sin and death on my behalf...and given me this same power so that I can glorify Your Name.  I am blown away by what You have done for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I am often harsh with my words. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. v18-19

The answer is Jesus Christ...God's one and only Son (John 3:16)...He is this great God who can do and did do everything for us.  Jesus is patient, compassionate and full of mercies.  Galatians 5:22 describes how we bear fruit when the Holy Spirit is with us and we fully surrender our lives to Jesus.   This post provides scripture examples of how we have a God who is slow to anger and abounding in love.  We have a God that has overcome the world and gives us the same power that raised Him from the dead.  WE have all of this and He FREELY gives Himself away...all we need to do is accept Him as our Lord and Savior and believe and trust in Him.

My Prayer: You ARE this God who can do all of this and who frees us from the sting of sin and death!  You gave Your life to us knowing everything about us, including our sin.  You came to save us...thank You Jesus.  You ARE a great God and we are undeserving of such a God.  I know for myself that I too often live for myself vs living for You and others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Psalm 94

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. v18-19

Jesus wants us to be His hands and feet so that we can spread the good news of Him to all parts of the world - see Matthew 28:16-20, John 15:12.

Through Him we have power.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

We also have freedom - freedom from sin...and we are given this power and freedom to accomplish His will for our lives.  We are to be bold.  When we are bold we may often feel like failures but when we truly trust in Him, we do not sink below the waves (Matthew 14)...our feet do not slip. 

My Prayer: Lord, You give us the ability to walk on water and if we have faith and trust in You we do not sink below the waves.  What a great God You are!  You are worthy of my worship and praise.  Yet often I do not fully trust and have faith in You - forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome my doubt and lack of faith.  Help me turn towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me be bold.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

God’s Influence in Us
Ephesians 1

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he 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. v18-21

God provides His children the Holy Spirit and I suspect many believers fail to grasp, myself included, the "incomparable great power" available to believers. It is easy to fall back into habits that focus on faith and trust in earthly powers but this is not only sinful but also fruitless as the powers of this world will come and go - God does not.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

...

In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Daniel 2:44

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a God that is worthy of my praise as Your power is incomparable and You make it available to me through the Holy Spirit.  And I have seen this power at work in my life and in the lives around me...You are an awesome God.  Thank You for coming to earth to save me and for the Holy Spirit...and so much more...I am not worth such love and blessing.  I continue to have faith in earthly powers that come and go.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.   Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me lover others as You do.  Help grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

Revelation 4

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. v11

God is praiseworthy as He has not only capable of all things, all knowing - but He is also full of love for His children, myself included.  He is patient, kind, compassionate, gentle, etc.  He is also merciful...all things for which I am not deserving!  I am DEEPLY grateful for You God and for what You have done for me Jesus but I am not deserving...I am NOT making every effort as You command me to.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me make every effort and to be in action.

Help me live with the end in mind and be Jesus to others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus what an AMAZING God You are...Thank You for all of the love You have poured for me already, what You continue to do, and what You will always do for me.  I know that Your love cannot be taken from me and that You will always be with me...awesome!  Thank You Jesus.  Yet once again I am not worth such love...I am not making every effort.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. v9-10

There have certainly been times recently where I have felt weak...almost assuredly I can say that I have also seen Christ's power, particularly with respect to the extent to which our brothers and sisters in Christ have so graciously supported Lisa and myself have experience prayers, love, and support as Lisa goes through cancer treatment.

1 Corinthians 12 and Paul's discussion of unity in the church.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God!  Lisa and I are overwhelmed in a positive way with all of the support and love our brothers and sisters in Christ have provided over the past month or so...You church works in amazing and awesome ways!  Thank You Jesus!  Forgive me for my laziness and disobedience.  I am weak.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please cure Lisa and give her comfort.  Help me serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”  But we have the mind of Christ. v15-16

For us to fully trust and have faith in Christ we must have an appreciation of the power of the Holy Spirit.  All believers have the Spirit and through the Spirit "we have the mind of Christ".  This is of course a power beyond imagination and one in which we "can do all things through Him who gives us strength" (Philippians 4:13)

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God that You provide such "assistance" for us...to guide us and to provide for us in all circumstances.  Yet this is no "mere" assistance...this is the essence and full power of Christ...in describable power.  Amazing!  I am not worthy of being a good steward of such power...but You trust me despite my weakness and sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my selfishness, my harsh thoughts, words, and actions, my pride, etc.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today.