September 24, 2023
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT). The apostle Paul closed his prayer at the end
September 24, 2022
A PRAYER FOR INNER STRENGTH The apostle Paul prayed that the Lord would empower the believers in Ephesus with “inner strength” from the Holy Spirit, whose power is glorious and unlimited. Literally, he prayed for strength for their “inner man,” which is the human soul. We seem to know more about how to find strength
September 24, 2021
WHAT MIGHT GOD DO THROUGH ONE WHO GIVES HIM ALL THE GLORY? The apostle Paul closed his prayer at the end of chapter three with a beautiful benediction. He reminds us that all the glory (credit, thanks, honor, worship) belong to our omnipotent God. When we are able to rightly give God all the glory,
September 24, 2019
WHAT MIGHT GOD DO THROUGH ONE WHO GIVES HIM ALL THE GLORY? The apostle Paul closed his prayer at the end of chapter three with a beautiful benediction. He reminds us that all the glory (credit, thanks, honor, worship) belong to our omnipotent God. When we are able to rightly give God all the glory,
September 24, 2017
Americans may point to the First Amendment as the protection of free speech in our country. But it was revealed to the apostle Paul that it is actually those who are in Christ Jesus who have been given freedom of speech with God the Father. For those who are in Christ Jesus have been given both “boldness and access” to God. “Access” means that the curtain of separation between sinful man and holy God has been removed. Christ has opened up the “way” to God. We may enter into the very presence of God in Christ. Not only have we been granted an unlimited audience with God, we have been given freedom to speak all that we have on our hearts to Him. Yet, as Albert Barnes’s has noted, this “boldness is not rashness” and this confident access “is not presumption.” But we are able to approach God the Father with the freedom of being His children without fear of rejection.
September 24, 2013
The apostle Paul believed that God had not only saved him by the gospel, but He had called him to be its servant, declaring it to all. This is not a call unique to Paul, or even to “ministers,” but to all who believe and are saved by the gospel’s power. We are all “made ministers” of the gospel when we receive it!
September 24, 2012
Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know the fulness of the Godhead, that Father, Son and Spirit would give them inner power, assurance and strong love. We can learn from Paul how to pray Trinitarian prayers that move us to deeper understanding.