For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 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. Eph 3:14-21 (NKJV)
The chorus started with the following declaration, "My strength is in You Lord..." It is a good thing that my strength is in the Lord, because it certainly is not found in and of myself. I recently strained my back--and I continue to strain said back every-time I pick up my two year old grandson--who weighs in at just over 30 pounds. In other words--in spite of my work-out regiment--I'm just not that strong. I guess that the same measure could be applied to all areas of my life. (Self-Discipline--not strong. Emotional Stability--not that tested. Spiritual Tenacity--timidity. Intellectual Prowess--weak. General Health--compromised) "OK, I'll admit the truth...on my own merit, I'm not very strong!"
The chorus started with the following declaration, "My strength is in You Lord..." It is a good thing that my strength is in the Lord, because it certainly is not found in and of myself. I recently strained my back--and I continue to strain said back every-time I pick up my two year old grandson--who weighs in at just over 30 pounds. In other words--in spite of my work-out regiment--I'm just not that strong. I guess that the same measure could be applied to all areas of my life. (Self-Discipline--not strong. Emotional Stability--not that tested. Spiritual Tenacity--timidity. Intellectual Prowess--weak. General Health--compromised) "OK, I'll admit the truth...on my own merit, I'm not very strong!"
"But--wait a minute--my strength is in the Lord!" Humans are weak by nature. Almost every Bible hero was hampered by character flaws and personal failures, and yet, they are heroes by any definition. The difference maker was always God. Empowered by God, Moses stretched his rod over the Red Sea and the waters parted. Empowered by God, Joshua led the Children of Israel to shout and the wall of Jericho fell down. Empowered by God, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. Empowered by God, David slew the giant Goliath.
This was the type of strength that Paul was referring to when he prayed that we would, "Be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man!" God can and will bring His strength into you, if you let Him in. The cry of Jesus to the churches listed in the early chapters of John's Revelation was and is to open the door and let Him in. Jesus is knocking at the door of the heart--the inner man--waiting to come in. The very moment we let Him in, is the very same moment that our inner man is strengthened and our possibilities are exponentially greater.
Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your Word tells me,'That in my weakness, You are made strong.' I accept that premise. I used to foolishly believe that I could make great things happen in my own strength, but have found only the ability to make great messes. Lord, please hear me--I need You! I cannot make it without You...I cannot do anything of value without You...all my hopes and dreams are empty without You. You are my Rock, my Shield, my Fortress...my Strength. Amen"
This was the type of strength that Paul was referring to when he prayed that we would, "Be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man!" God can and will bring His strength into you, if you let Him in. The cry of Jesus to the churches listed in the early chapters of John's Revelation was and is to open the door and let Him in. Jesus is knocking at the door of the heart--the inner man--waiting to come in. The very moment we let Him in, is the very same moment that our inner man is strengthened and our possibilities are exponentially greater.
Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your Word tells me,'That in my weakness, You are made strong.' I accept that premise. I used to foolishly believe that I could make great things happen in my own strength, but have found only the ability to make great messes. Lord, please hear me--I need You! I cannot make it without You...I cannot do anything of value without You...all my hopes and dreams are empty without You. You are my Rock, my Shield, my Fortress...my Strength. Amen"
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