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Posts Tagged ‘Ephesians 3:12’

(A personal praise-psalm)

You, Lord Jesus Christ, are our Source of everything—the salvation of our souls, the sustainer of our lives, the sufficiency in all our circumstances, the Supreme One over all (Colossians 1:16-18)!

For example:

As you, O Christ were raised from the dead . . .  we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4).

Our lives can be marked by wholeness, contentment, freedom, authentic fellowship with you and with each other. “It’s life as it was always meant to be”*—if we choose it.

In you, O Christ we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You give us new views, new desires, new motives, new principles to live by, new plans for our lives, new purpose. 

I praise you that over the decades you’ve been working these entities into my life slowly but surely. (I’ve been the slow part, you are the surely part!)

With you, O Christ, we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with you (Romans 8:17).

God is our Father and we are his. We’re under his care, privileged with access in his presence, blessed with his peace, joy, and more. He is our King, and one day we will live with you, Lord Jesus, in our Father’s kingdom of heaven.

Because of you, O Christ, we can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence (Ephesians 3:12 NLT).

You have made it possible for us to draw near–no matter how unworthy we may feel–into the safety, security, and warmth of God’s presence. There we can turn over our burdens to him and rest in his love.

Through you, O Christ, we can do all things which you call us to do (Philippians 4:13).

You provide the inner strength and power to fulfill God’s purpose for us; you make us ready for anything and equal to anything!

The converse is also true:

Apart from you, O Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Our Father God didn’t design us to be self-sufficient, independent creatures. Relationship was his key motivation for creating us. The greatest outcomes result from working together with you, Lord Jesus, and also the greatest joy.

For you, O Christ, we’ve been commissioned as ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV).

We’re your representatives, privileged to act and speak on your behalf. We get to invite those around us to receive your gift of eternal life and begin a life-changing relationship with you. 

No other gift is as desirable; no other privilege more thrilling.

From you, O Christ, we receive an anointing (1 John 2:20a) for our work as your ambassadors.

Just like the kings and prophets of Old Testament times, you set us apart for special purpose, giving us divine authority and blessing as your servants.

You provide the Holy Spirit—our Helper, Teacher, and Guide, who empowers, transforms, renews, and more.

On you, O Christ, we fix our thoughts (Hebrews 3:1), because . . . 

. . . “What we focus on is what we become” (Epictetus, Greek philosopher).

How glorious to become like you—loving, selfless, humble, and gracious—all those beautiful qualities you demonstrated when you lived on earth. 

Shalom is sure to follow.

To you, O Christ, be glory (2 Peter 3:18)!

You are the source of all blessings. From you and through you and to you are all things.

May all see the splendors of who you are and what you do; may all desire to know you and enjoy every benefit you graciously bestow.

Amen!

*https://thegracecommentary.com/romans-6/

Image credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.pexels.com (igovar igovar); http://www.needpix.com; http://www.canva.com; www. easy-peasy.ai.

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Each time before you intercede,

be quiet first and worship God in his glory.

Think of what he can do

And how he delights to hear the prayers

of his redeemed people.

Think of your place and privilege in Christ

and expect great things!

Andrew Murray

We can EXPECT great things?  That news gets my heart beating a little faster. How about you?

I also find Reverend Murray’s affirmations raising important questions–questions like:

How do I quiet myself?

My thoughts can jump from one thing to another until they’re on another continent from the subject of my prayer. What’s a scatterbrain like me to do?

I researched solutions for that problem a couple of years ago, and six suggestions became a blog post, “The Drift into Distractions.”

Since then I’ve encountered two more ways to still my mind:

1. One, shut the door.

Sounds a bit silly, I know. But that simple action can alter my mindset, reminding me that unimportant concerns and the ever-present to-do list can wait until later—outside the door.

2.  Two, breathe a breath prayer.

With a slow, deep inhale I might whisper, “My hope is in You, God.” On the exhale I can conclude with, “I am trusting you.”

A few repetitions help focus my mind on the Almighty One to whom I pray and the anticipation of serious, life-changing intercession.

How do I “worship God in his glory?”

First I need to understand that God’s glory includes all his splendorous attributes: his creativity and power, goodness and mercy, wisdom and love and more.   Taking a moment to remember who my God is, prepares my heart to pray with confidence.

One such prayer might be:

O Lord, the magnificence of your Personhood renders me speechless with wonder. You are all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful.

You perfectly attend to the immense totality of your creation, and with compassionate love you care for your children.

“Your splendor is above the earth and heavens” (Psalm 148:13b)!

Why is it beneficial to think about what God can do?

Reviewing God’s miracles and wonderful works of the past is like a warm-up before working out. It prepares our faith muscles to pray with conviction and endurance.

Does God really delight to hear our prayers?

Oh, yes!

“The Lord…delights in the prayers of his people” (Proverbs 15:8b NLT). Can’t get much clearer than that.

Why should I consider “my place and privilege in Christ” before praying?

First, I am in Christ because I accepted his offer to pay for all my wrong thoughts, attitudes and actions—a supreme, sacrificial payment he made on the cross. God the Father made that exchange possible so I might have the gift of eternal life with him in heaven.

Second, Jesus’ painful sacrifice also provided a place and privilege in God’s family, with access to his presence anytime, anywhere. (Ephesians 3:12).

Prayer is a precious privilege; I’d be foolish to ignore it.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Thank you, Lord Jesus my Advocate. Because of you I can approach our Father, the King of the universe, and receive his mercy and grace to help in my time of need and that of others.

I praise you for all your scripture promises assuring us that high expectations in you are not misplaced.

Help me to wait in patient confidence upon you, the only One who can accomplish great things—even above our expectations.  

 (Hebrews 4:16; I John 5:14-15; Ephesians 3:20)

(Art & photo credits: http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.scripture-images.com; http://www.dailyverses.net.)

What helps you expect great things as you pray?  Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Why do we say, “in Jesus’ name,” at the end of our prayers?

Several scriptures instruct us.  Let’s begin with John 14:6.

Jesus spoke very plainly and firmly that the only way for us to be welcomed into God’s presence is through him, our Savior and advocate.  Jesus made access possible by his death on the cross, paying the penalty for our sin.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Based on our own right-doing, we could never enter into God’s holy presence.  Our good deeds are as valuable as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), because they’re stained with sin.

But when we believe in Jesus and allow him full reign in our lives, he exchanges those filthy rags for a dazzling cloak of righteousness—his righteousness.  And dressed in this glorious finery, we may enter into the throne room of the King of the universe with our requests.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:21).

When we pray in Jesus’ name, we’re praying by his authority.

Years ago, Steve and I enjoyed a VIP tour of Cape Canaveral, thanks to our acquaintance with an engineer who worked there.  Had we walked into some of those buildings on our own, we would have been turned away.  Immediately.  No discussion.    But Steve and I had been given special badges.  We were accompanied by a certified tour guide, and so we were given access.

Now think of such a privilege on a cosmic scale:  We are able to walk into the ethereal presence of Almighty God because we know his Son, Jesus.

John 14:13 says that we may ask for anything in Jesus’ name, and he will do it.  At first glance, it might seem that Jesus is promising to fulfill our every wish for a home worthy of Architectural Digest, a car that causes heads to turn, and a vacation each year in an exotic location.  Make that twice a year.

But could I really ask for those things in Jesus’ name?  He left the perfect splendor of heaven and angels to live in the squalor of humanity.  He died an excruciating death, to rescue me from the consequences of my sin.  How dare I behave like a spoiled child and request frivolous things, when he sacrificed so much?

No, what I want to do is line up my prayers with what Jesus values, what he would desire.  And his main goal is to bring glory to the Father.   Jesus wants to highlight the magnificence of our God in the prayers he answers affirmatively.

And when our prayers are in agreement with Jesus’ agenda, we can pray with confidence that we will be heard and God will answer.

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12).

Perhaps it would be wise to begin our prayers with affirmations of these truths.  It might sound something like this:

Heavenly Father, I come to you as one of your forgiven children, saved by your Son, Jesus.  It is only by his authority that I kneel before you to bring these requests.

Teach me what it means to pray in the name of Jesus, to align my desires with yours.  Remind me to ask, even as I begin, “Will this request bring you glory?”

I don’t want to trivialize the horrific price Jesus paid for my life, by asking for frivolous things.  I want my prayers to reflect what you value.  It’s just another way I can live my love for you, O Lord, my God.  And that’s the deepest desire of my heart.

 

(photo credits:  www.bestronginthelord.com , www.camanocommunity.net , www.menupix.com , www.barnako.typepad.com , http://www.capresbytery.org  )

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