Skip to main content

Be Persistent


Discover Hope and Power...




“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. 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” Ephesians 1:17-19

The verses found in Ephesians 1:15-23 are so powerful. 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.

Here are a few things that stood out to me in verses 17-19: “I keep asking” – Paul was persistent in asking God; “glorious Father” – speaks of relationship.” Embrace our true identity in the Father; “so that you may know Him better” – finding a deeper reason to get to know (truly know) Him; and lastly, “His incomparably great power” – we are empowered as we discover the Hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

As Christ Followers, we are beneficiaries of every spiritual blessings as children of the One True God. We have assurance of eternal life; the Holy Spirit resides in us as our guide. As believers, God has called us as His own people.

Write out Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23. And, make these words your own prayer by praying them out loud. 

Here's a Verse Mapping tool to help you get started.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Canva

Created 2 Create Twitter Cover Image Design Canva - One of My Favorite Design Programs and Apps With Canva , you don’t have to be a design pro, it makes designing easy. You can use your own photos or you can you upload images from sites like Unsplash or Pexels  and download them on your computer totally FREE. Canva also offers an app for you phone. Canva lets you Create designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook & social media covers, flyers, posters, invitations and many more.  The design options are endless, and the site is very user-friendly – you can modify one the their designs or create your own using one of the templates. Unsplash offers professional images that you can modify, edit and use as you desire. Again, totally free! Pexels ’ site is just like Upsplash , these are royalty-free photographs for you to use as you wish. These are some of the designs I created using Canva … Click on links belo
7 comments
Read more

Good Friday

  Happy Good Friday   This is the day that we remember what Jesus did for us --- enduring beating, mocking, and being crucified.   I imagine his disciples did not consider it to be a “good” Friday at the time. But what makes it GOOD is what happened on Sunday --- when Jesus did the impossible and rose from the dead.    Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  ~ 1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV   One of the best ways of celebrating Jesus and His Resurrection…is through family traditions.    Family traditions can be as simple as attending  ️  church and having lunch or brunch together.    Jesus was a story-teller. I believe he knew the power of a story to capture hearts and bring joy while effectively delivering a specific message. He often used parables to teach.  Do you have a favorite Bible Story or family tradition? A G
Post a Comment
Read more

Why God Wants to Bless You!

  Why God Wants to Bless You!   “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29, ESV). Do you know that God wants to bless you? He wants you to have abundance, lacking no good thing. But He doesn’t want that for you and me so we can merely enjoy our lives. He wants us to steward our resources so we can be better able to reach out to others and bless them in His name. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 (ESV),   “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”   The goal is fruitfulness. The goal is God’s Kingdom. The goal is for God’s blessing to flow through us so we might be a blessing to others, to the glory of His name!
Post a Comment
Read more