40 Favorite Scriptures

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 FAVORITE Scriptures
Day 15 | OUR POWERFUL GOD
OUR POWERFUL GOD
 
Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”
 (NKJV)

I offer a benediction at the end of each of my church services.  There are many in the Bible, but this is one of my favorites.

Here, Paul was telling the church in Ephesus – and us too – of the greatness and power of God and that God could work that power IN us.

I like the KJV and NKJV versions which say that HE can do "exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we could ask or think."

Now stop there.  I don't know about you, but I can THINK of many things, but no matter how much I can think or dream up, God can do WAY MORE.

IN 1952, JB Philipps – the same clergyman who wrote a translation of the New Testament – wrote a book entitled: Your God Is Too Small: A Guide to Believers and Skeptics Alike.

Sometimes I think we scale down our prayers because we are concerned that they are too BIG or too audacious or maybe they will be turned down by God.  Many today don't pray much because they have become discouraged or disappointed by the lack of answers to their "prayers" to God.

Of course, God is not answering EVERY prayer we pray – even the good ones that seem essentially good and proper – because He's God and we're not.  He KNOWS what is ultimately best because he is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.  In His providence, He runs EVERYTHING everywhere and has a plan for you, me, and everyone.

Yet that should not cause us to retreat from praising, thanking, and asking or requesting of Him.  But first, we need to review these two verses and remind ourselves NOT to get a mental image of a tiny weak "God" – when through Christ, we are children of the MOST HIGH!

Prayer: LORD, forgive me for ever seeing you as anything but almighty.  I worship You, Almighty God; there is none like You.  Amen.