wonder-working power

Over the past several weeks, I have repeatedly stumbled across a series of scriptures found in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. It seemed like these scriptures were everywhere: in a book I was flipping through, on my local Christian radio station, within an online Joyce Meyer program, etc. Most recently, I heard these same scriptures at church. In fact, I remember leaning over to My Hubs and whispering, "These is that scripture again!" LOL Eventually I caught on and no longer saw it as a coincidence but rather a message ... You need to "get this". Really "get this".

Paul writes in Chapter 1:

¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ 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, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ 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.

The Amplified Bible translation of verse 19 reads " ... [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, ..."

Whooooa. Let's just let that settle a bit, shall we? There's a whole lot goin' on in those verses.

Basically, Paul explains that not only is he thankful for the church as he's lifting them up in prayer, but he also is praying that God would grant them (us) "a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him." {Amplified Bible}. Paul doesn't petition that our physical seeing eyes be opened, but rather that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened or, as the Amplified Bible translates, "flooded with light." (Enlightened literally means "to shed light upon" as opposed to being confused or mystified.) We've sung the song in church many times: ♫"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord ... I want to see you."♫

Paul also wants us to understand the hope that God has called us to and how magnificent the inheritance is coming to those who believe. He stresses that not only is this the power extended to believers, but it is the very same power that rose Christ Jesus from the grave. This power, this INcomparable ... IMmeasurable ... UNlimited ... UNconfined ... UNending ... boundLESS power is FOR US. And FREE at that! Just as His love. ♥ Mind blowing! This powerful description alone should cover us in goosebumps and set us on fire for the Lord. I mean, we can do anything with that type of power!

But do we really believe this? Because if I am to be completely honest, as much as I try, I still struggle wrapping my brain around it. Maybe that is the point ... I can't comprehend the depth of this power Paul speaks of. But it doesn't make this supernatural power any less real, any less available, does it? Perhaps I have a difficult time feeling this power because of my insecurities. I tell my girls they were created for greatness, but do I believe I was? Does my life reflect a heart that believes she has the power of The Living God inside of her? Am I using this power to further His Kingdom? Sadly, not always. Why??? This power is available to me. It is not tucked away in some hidden place waiting to be discovered. I can't earn it. It was freely given to me they day I invited Christ into my heart.

I don't think I'm the only one that wrestles with completely accepting this gift. Would it be to bold of me to confess I don't believe The Church has taken ahold of this power with both hands either? Craig Groeschel writes in The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as If He Doesn't Exist, "Imagine what's possible if we stop going to church and start being the church!" God chooses to display his power to the world through His people, His Chosen Ones. Therefore, it's not enough for me to go to church, sing a few songs, say a few prayers, study a few scriptures and return to my life as usual for the remaining week. I need to be the church. And the only way that is possible is if I use this supernatural power made readily available to me.

Friends, The Enemy will use whatever means necessary to keep us from fully realizing that God has empowered us! However, once we tap into that power, we will be unstoppable and the world will begin to transform before our very eyes. And boy, is hell gonna be ANGRY. ;o)

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♫ "The same power that conquered the grave lives in me, lives in me.

Your love that rescued the earth, lives in me, lives in me. ♫


Sing it with me, my friends. And let's BELIEVE it. ♥