Reflecting Greatness

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”  (Ephesians 1: 22-23 NIV)

Do you ever wonder why so few ever accomplish anything close to their dreams?  I mean most people start out with a vision of their future that’s frankly astounding.  Ask kids what they want to be when they grow up and their thoughts often are inspiring.

But somewhere between those years and adulthood something happens.  The dreams disappear. [Read more…]

Living In Unconquerable Power

“Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”  (Ephesians 1:21 NIV)

We live in a pretty oppressive world don’t we?  I mean just watch the news for five minutes.  It’s filled with scary stuff.

Terrorists bombing civilians.

Governments targeting groups.

Corruption, crime, hatred.

And then add to that the pressures we face at work from a boss on an ego trip or a colleague clawing his way to the top.

And for some the fear of evil spirits running amok. [Read more…]

Seeing Unimaginable Power

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”  (Ephesians 1: 19-20  NLT)

All of us at times face seemingly unsolvable problems.  Tough nuts that just won’t crack.

Our careers careen off track.

Our marriages stress out?

We struggle with health issues we just can’t resolve.

And money?  Or sometimes what’s left of it? [Read more…]

Seeing the Miraculous

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”  (Ephesians 1: 18-19a, NIV)

Do you ever wonder why we see so little of God’s miraculous power?

I mean we sing and hear about it in Church.  We pray for it.  We read about other people experiencing it.  Yet, how often do we see God’s miraculous intervention in our lives?

And you know, sometimes we really need it. [Read more…]

When We Need Answers Now

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”  (Ephesians 1: 17 NIV)

I find life gets pretty confusing at times.  Relationship stresses, unexpected challenges, setbacks, worries.

So many questions we’d love for God to answer but the connection keeps dropping.

So we turn to the church and if your experience in anything like mine at times you come out even more confused. [Read more…]

Twin Steps for Igniting Spiritual Power

“That is why since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people.”  (Ephesians 1:15 NCV)

I believe we want spiritual power ignited in our lives.  Otherwise frankly you wouldn’t be reading this and I wouldn’t be writing it.

Yet, we struggle with that day to day.  Sometimes we see evidence of it and unfortunately often we don’t. [Read more…]

Unlimited Power Now!

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”  (Ephesians 1: 13  NIV)

We have amazing spiritual power available to us.  Real miracle working power.  Yet, most of us experience very little of it.  We talk about God’s power yet rarely see it.

I think one of the traps we fall into is a “performance mentality.”  We think, “If I just do enough right things.  Give a little more money.  Go to church more regularly.  Volunteer more.  Then God will unleash his power in my life.”

But you know, as good as those activities may be, they can actually keep us from seeing God’s miracle power. [Read more…]

One Tactic That Unlocks Spiritual Power

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”  (Ephesians 1: 13 NIV)

Let’s be real.  I think most of have doubts sometimes about God, heaven, our salvation and the whole laundry list of other things we’re supposed to believe in.

Deep inside we wonder at times, “Is it all true?  If it is true am I saved?  Am I going to make it?” [Read more…]

Seeing a Christmas Miracle

“He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”  (John 1:14 NLT)

Christmas is a fascinating time.  So many contrasts.

As at the original one, all of us see the same things yet respond so differently. [Read more…]

The Mystery That Changes Everything

“So the Word became human and made his home among us.”  (John 1:14 NLT)

The Christmas story is a tough nut to crack.  I would guess most of us have struggled at times with believing God would somehow come to the earth he made and inhabit a human being so he could live here with us.

We wonder, “But how?  How does God become a human?  How can a person fully human and fully God inhabit the same body?  And what difference does it make anyway?” [Read more…]