Carry on…in Wisdom
and Revelation
The Ability to See
As believers, our hope is in Christ, not our
circumstances. - #Word Writers
In Paul’s prayer for the
Ephesians, he prays for the eyes of their hearts to be opened.
Read Ephesians 1:18-23
Paul prays specifically for the believers to see three
things: the hope, riches, and power they have in Christ Jesus. First, he prays
they would know the hope to which they, the Ephesians, have been called. The circumstances
that currently surround them would in the dim light of the eternal hope they
possess in Christ. Second, he prays they would know the riches of God’s
glorious inheritance. These riches are far greater than mere earthly riches;
the riches of His mercy and grace are eternal. Third, Paul prays they would
know the power that lives inside them. The same power that raise Jesus from the
dead now lives in those who believe.
The same is true for us. As believers our hope is in
Christ, not our current circumstances. We’ve also inherited riches: The
forgiveness we’ve received and the new life we’ve been given will never be
taken back. The gift of His mercy and grace is ours in Christ. Paul describes
the power of the Holy Spirit as immeasurable greatness. Because of the Spirit’s
immeasurable greatness, we’ve become new creations, filled with hope.
Diving Deeper
What does Paul mean in verse 18 when he says “the eyes of
your heart” in the NIV, or in the HCSB, “the perception of your mind”?
How does Paul describe the power that raised Christ from
the dead?
When have you struggled to see or acknowledge a gift
inside you? Has someone in your life been an encouragement to you in the area
of your gifting? Who can you be an encouragement to today?
How is Pauls’ prayer, from verses 15-23, similar to or
different from your own prayers?
Write it out – Write
out Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23. And, make these words your own prayer
by praying them out loud.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for the
gifts You’ve given me. Help me to walk in the hope to which You have called me.
Help me to grasp the amazing riches of Your mercy and grace. Help me to know
Your power that lives inside me. Open the eyes of my heart that I may see You
more clearly. Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Warren Wiersbe, “Be Rich:
Gaining the Things That Money Can’t Buy”- New
Testament Commentary: Ephesians.
Denise J. Hughes, “Word
Writes: Ephesians”
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