Jesus, thank you for this opportunity to read the written expression of your work and words to us. Thank you that you are so eager for us to know your plans and understand your ways. I thank you that each day we draw closer to you and that our faith and wisdom increase. ~Amen
1:26 "...the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints."
The word of God in its fullness--Jesus, the mystery kept hidden for ages and generations. The truth of Jesus has been revealed...the word of the God...the beginning of all things and the end of all things...we have the mystery of God living in us in fullness.
1:27 "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
I am so grateful that I am privy to this mystery...that the One who created me and the entire world has chosen to make His home in me. This indeed is hope. That everything I need...His power, His peace, and every other gift of His Spirit has taken up residence within me. I really don't know what more I can say. I am nearly speechless at this simple and outstanding truth!
1:28 "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."
I want to teach with all wisdom! Paul says EVERYONE! This is God's heart. God wants that no one will be separated from Him. And isn't it interesting that Paul says he will present them perfect in Christ. Does this mean he presents them to God? to Jesus? This is like what they say about Jesus interceding on our behalf...presenting us to God through the blood.
1:29 "To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."
I love that Paul struggles with all of God's energy. I never want to struggle again outside of God's energy! I am eager to see how God works in me in the coming months, as I know He is honing and giving more clarity about the destiny I will walk in, the ministry I will do in days to come, and the ministry I'm already doing. I pray that I will never forget to lean into Him and gather my strength and courage only from Him. I've suffered enough by struggling in my own power, and I'm seriously so done with that!
Father God, I ask that you would reveal to us the true mystery of Christ dwelling within us. I pray that we would both receive revelation of what it means to have the hope of glory dwelling within us, empowering us and encouraging us in every moment of our lives. I pray that you would continue to increase our discernment in hearing the difference between our voice, your voice, and the voice of the accuser. I pray that you would cement within us a certainty of your favor and affection toward us, that we would begin to experience what it means to admonish and teach with all wisdom! I thank you for Paul's example and for the clear and true message of your sovereignty, your hope, and your great gift of salvation and all that it entails for each of us.
I continue to lift up Tina and Mark and their family. I pray that with each day would come greater clarity about priorities, work, and destiny. I pray for a breakthrough in Mark, that he would begin to hear your gentle voice of encouragement that would be calling him out of depression into certainty of your love for him and your call on his life. Break through the lies and the fears and the disappointments and discouragements. Bring your balm of comfort and peace to the wounds in his heart and give him your perspective on the events that took place at his last church. Wherever he is agreeing with someone or something other than you, I ask that you would bring moments of clarity and truth to diffuse the lies. Wherever he is hearing your truth, but is doubting it I ask that you would speak louder and bring more confirmation of your truth to his heart. Bring people who will encourage him in unlikely places. Give him the hope and trust and faith to begin to dream once again. And seal the promises you've given Tina in the dreams she had just before they moved to Florida.
In your Name, Amen.
Think it is funny that you mentioned the "dreams" because I was thinking about that very same thing yesterday. I was remembering the dreams about the waves coming and taking Echo and Kiah. I believe the waves are here. Echo went through such a rough patch during the earlier part of the school year, being the hospital, starting new school, ect.. She is doing much better now that she has started college, she is being accepted and is slowly making friends. Kiah is in the middle of the waves, acting out, getting into mischief at school. I have been trying to shower her with positive attention rather than negative attention. I think a lot of her issues were driven out of a need for attention. When Echo is at her lowest point we can't help but turn our attentions and minds to her issues. I am afraid that I have let the other children slip out of the radar. It is funny how it just came to me yesterday that the dream had come to fruition. <>< tina
ReplyDeleteDid Kiah tell you that she and I had a little chat on Facebook. It was an echo of everything you and I have been talking about. I smiled when I was telling her some of the same things you mentioned you had shared with the kids you ministered to. God is really good! He has it all in His hands, and His plans are perfect. I love you. ~Angela
ReplyDelete