ESOCS Devotional 17 April 2023
MEMORY VERSE:
TEXT: EPHESIANS 1:15-23
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 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. 18 I pray 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 his holy people,19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
In this passage, the Bible tells us about the Christians in the Ephesian church. From the account of St Paul, they had faith in Christ Jesus and loved the brethren. Thus, they were born again and lived in love. They were a part of the body of Christ and had received the Holy Ghost. But they obviously had not attained the ultimate Christian experience. And St Paul indicates that as where Christians should be. In this passage of scripture, he shows that there is need for believers to understand our relationship with Christ, to know Him personally, have a daily experience of His divine power and live the life God has called us to live in Him. For one may be a Christian and yet live sub-optimally, experiencing defeats in carnal and spiritual things.
The ingredients of this prayer are a pointer to what believers should press towards. He prayed:
“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. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in other that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 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 that is to come.”(NIV)
This prayer sums up the great life that God has called believers to live, the extent of spiritual height the believer can reach, and the spiritual greatness that can be his. This great life in Christ Jesus is available to all Christians. A few things will be needful to attain this level of Christian living:
- A life of daily study of the word of God.
- A life that is devoted to Him and to doing His good pleasure.
- Daily coming into His presence.
- A daily life of praise, worship, and prayers.
- What is your assessment of your closeness to God?
- Write down what you consider as draw backs to your Christian life.
- Father, grant that we may know you as we should and that we may become all we should in you. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Lamentations 2:11-17; Mark 11:11-19; John 14:12-end
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ESOCS Devotional 17 April 2023
