Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”
Imagine what you could do with unlimited resources. It is hard for our human brains to truly fathom resources that never run out. We often think of resources in terms of money, food, time, supplies, and the like. But it can also seem like our supply of patience, forgiveness, even love feels tapped out at times. While earthly resources may run dry, the riches of God’s glory are unlimited.
We may feel like we have completely run out of patience, we are done forgiving, or that there is nothing left in us to love the unlovable. But it’s moments like these that can point us to back to Christ. For while we were intolerable, unforgivable, and unlovable, Christ died for us. On our own we have nothing, but because of the riches of God’s glory, through Christ we are able to love others and bring God glory.
On these days when we feel like there is nothing left in us to give, we can echo the prayer Paul prayed for us for spiritual strength in Ephesians 3:14-21; that from God’s very own unlimited resources, we would be strengthened with His power through His Spirit in us. Notice that we are not part of the supply source. We are merely the vessel that all of this takes place after we have invited Christ to take up residence in our heart.
The secular world claims we can find peace, strength, and power within our human self, yet what an empty lifeline! Would we go to the dead to resuscitate the living? Jesus is our life source, and the wellspring of Living Water which overflows into every area of our life. Loving others is not a matter of doing better next time, it’s about heart change today.
God’s strength and power have no end. Likewise, when we find ourself out of patience, out of love, out of forgiveness, we need to turn our focus off of human resources and back on to the riches of God’s glory-His unlimited resources. It is only there that we will find that we are not empty, but well-watered and growing with healthy roots that can spread.
As Christ dwells in your heart and mine, God’s Holy Spirit keeps us going, keeps us thriving, keeps us loving, keeps us serving. Paul reiterated this divinely inspired message in Philippians 4:13 when he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God has unlimited resources through which to work in us and through us. Will you let God fill you with His strength and might to do the impossible today?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, teach me to love people like you do. On my own human efforts, I run dry every time. I cry out today for your unending supply of love, forgiveness, and patience that I may love others and bring you glory. May these words of scripture be part of my prayer today: “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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.