Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:17-19
15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-20
14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
What’s it all about?
It sounds really spiritual to say that you’re going to trust God to overcome all your sins and shortcomings, doesn’t it? Matthew 11:28-30 talks about giving all our burdens to Jesus, and in other places in the Bible, God is always saying not to worry or be afraid. But when it comes down to you and your bad temper, your runaway sex drive or your addiction to gambling, where do you find the strength to say no?
It might seem like an impossible situation that you’re facing. You might feel that you just don’t have it in you to beat your own personal demons – but the truth is, God has given us the strength and the tools and the power that we need to overcome every situation. As you begin facing your toughest challenges, you have weapons at your disposal: prayer, Bible truths (reading specific verses for specific situations can be really helpful), worship, thanksgiving, and having accountability with other Christians. You’ll find that you can see the deception of sin at work, and gradually, you’ll be able to turn your back on the habits that you’ve built up over the years.
Sometimes, it’s just a matter of Stepping Out in faith!