"Knowing What God Wants You To Know" (Ephesians 1:19-21)

Apostle Paul is praying that the Christ follower would know what God wants us to know. He says, "And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." What is it that God wants you to know? He wants you to be informed about His awesome power! The power of God is so awesome that apostle Paul said it goes beyond and transcends great! Paul gathers together seven different words in describing the awesome power of God. He says, "working, strength, might, rule and authority and power and dominion." However, we must be reminded that God's mighty power is tied to His eternal purposes! God's power brings confidence and assurance that what He's promised, He's more than able to bring it to pass. Therefore, the faith we place in Him is certain. There are many in the church who want to use the power of God for self-serving reasons! They believe that you can "put a demand" on God and require Him to do whatever you desire. There are promises in the Word of God, but they are not there to give us a handle so we can "work" God according to our understanding of what God desires to do! God's promises are for our trust and submission to His will! Many in the church have twisted and distorted the biblical truth of God's power and prayer. They talk and teach about "the power of prayer," a phrase that's not sanctioned in the Scriptures. It's not our prayers that are powerful, but the object of the prayer, Almighty God, who's powerful! In prayer, God's power is restricted to whatever His will happens to be, and is not subject to the desires of our flesh. Apostle James reminds us, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives" (James 4:3). Let's be reminded to look to God who freely uses His awesome power to bring to pass His purposes, for our good and His honor and glory! Your move. Be encouraged!