Psalms 31:1-3, 8:1, and 16:2

My Shepherd found me foraging about here and there in His green pastures and called me over to Ephesians, where He made me to lie down. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in verses 20-21:

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

I read chapter 3 with keen interest and was struck by the sense that verses 14-21 provide a wonderful prayer for the New Year. Along the still waters, I prayed:

I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to pray for you this morning (3:14).

May our Father draw from the infinite “riches of his glory” and grant that you will be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (3:16).

May Christ dwell in your hearts by your faith increased by His word (3:17a, Romans 17:17).

And you being rooted and grounded in His love, “may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” (3:18), “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” so that you “might be filled with all the fulness of God” (3:18-19).

And I commend you to Him that is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (3:20). Amazing; the “power” by which He can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, or even think, “worketh in us.” It made me think of the spirit that worketh in them (Ephesians 2:1-2) and the contrast: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Join me in the doxology: “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!” (3:21).

In the valley, I bowed in the shadow of His cross and received the instruction necessary to embrace the promise of Paul’s prayer: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil, filled my cup with His grace, and called goodness and mercy to follow us into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

“See you in church!”