He Is Able - Examining Ephesians – September 12 Readings: Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians: A Worthy Walk 

Background: For the next month, we will be studying the Book of Ephesians, a letter Paul wrote while he was in jail in Rome, awaiting his first trial. Ephesus was one of his best churches, and he spent a lot of time there on his missionary journeys. The church likely planted the other churches of Asia Minor that Jesus referenced in Revelation 2-3. 

Ephesians is easily outlined. Chapters 1-3 speak of the great salvation we have in Christ, which comes by grace through faith alone. Then, 4:1 is the turning point, where Paul admonishes them to "walk worthy of the calling you have received." We cannot be worthy of Christ's salvation - it is a gift of grace. But having received it, we can then, by the Spirit's power, WALK worthy. Chapters 4-6 describe the worthy walk. This is a favorite template for Paul. He develops a doctrine then applies it practically. 

As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage. 

Today's Reading:  Ephesians 1-6    Focus Passage - Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah 36-37, 1 Corinthians 14:1–25, Psalm 105:37–45, Proverbs 22:22–24

 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  He Is Able  

When time is over and we stand before God, our chief regret may be our failure to pray more. The mysteries of God's sovereignty and the power of prayer are beyond the ability of our intelligence to sort, but James tells us that we have not because we ask not. God is able to do more than we can even imagine. Look at Ephesians 3:20-21, the final doxology of the doctrinal section of Ephesians.

Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

What are you asking God for? Does your prayer life demonstrate that you believe in a God who is big and powerful and loving - one who can and will answer your prayers? Or do your prayers show that you do not really believe God can do much? Do you pray in faith? Look at what this verse says about our God.

He is able!

He is able to do anything you might ever ask him to do. That doesn't mean he will, because we have to ask according to God's will, and for the glory of God and the good of the kingdom - there are several limits on prayer. But there is nothing God cannot do. You have never prayed a prayer that God could not answer. His power is limitless. But it doesn't stop there.

He is able to do more than I could THINK (or imagine) to ask. Whatever my mind could, in it's wildest imagination, think to ask God to do, God can do that! He is able. No, he's not my genie in a bottle - my prayers must conform to God's character, but anything I can imagine to ask God, he is able to do. But that isn't all.

He is able to do ABOVE and BEYOND all that we could ask or imagine to ask. He is not limited by my ability to imagine what to ask - he is more powerful than my imagination. His power at work in us goes so far beyond that.

So, my friend, pray. God can. He is able. He does not get weary, so pray! Go to him. Seek him. Demonstrate your faith by asking him for that which only he can do. And praise him!

Thank you, Lord, for your amazing, inexhaustible, and glorious power. Help me to pray daily and faithfully, demonstrating that I believe that you are able!

Think and Pray:

Does your prayer life demonstrate that you believe God is able to do "above and beyond all that aske or think according to the power that works in us?"
What are you praying for that only such a powerful God can do?