Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 21, 2024
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 This is why I kneel before the Father. 15 Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16 I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17 I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18 I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19 I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God. 20 Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; 21 glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen.
Good Morning! It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
18 I ask that you, together with all believers, have the power to grasp love’s width, length, height, and depth.
What is this power of God for which Paul asks? This power enters believers as the Holy Spirit fills us through our baptism. This power is the energy source that lives within us. It is up to us whether we allow the power to sit dormant, waiting for some external event to ignite it or we stir the embers to activate it.
Experiencing the power of God the Holy Spirit is not an exceptional, rare, or sporadic phenomenon. God intends it to be the routine, ordinary, daily reality in the life of every believer, regardless of their education, social standing, financial status, or role in the church. This power isn’t merely available to us this week or next year. God intends for us to live in it and draw from it every moment of every day.
Baptism isn’t a specific moment in time; it is a lifetime. God’s power: this potential energy lies within all believers awaiting movement as we step out in faith. With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
Loving God, Thank you for creating us. Sometimes, we let the fire within us sit and smolder. Help us to stoke the fire and release the power within. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God provides for us in unexpected ways.
Stir the embers! Pastor Liz
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