and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:19-20 NKJV)
I’ll never forget that warm autumn day when I got that text. I held my phone as if it might leap out of my hands. After eight painful years, I had heard from my daughter. Joy, unbelief, and astonishment blended together in my heart as crimson leaves fell to the ground.
I’d prayed for this every day since she left us. I knew this would be the beginning of a difficult rebuilding process, but I accepted that challenge just to hear from her again.
Our focal verses come from Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church. Paul didn’t pray for God to fill them with power. We have all received His power at salvation. Instead, Paul wanted the Ephesians and us to realize His power flows through us by the Holy Spirit.
Look at the language Paul uses to describe God’s power: Exceeding greatness, and mighty power. We get our English word dynamite from the Greek word for power in this verse. In our flesh, we are as weak as newborns, but His power enables us to live by the Spirit. We can walk in victory and not defeat.
Yet, we live powerless lives. We pray powerless prayers, and we dream powerless dreams. Like the Ephesians, we can’t grasp the explosive power living within us.
Friend, often I don’t feel powerful, but we can’t believe our feelings. The truth of God’s Word tells us the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead abides within us. We must believe that truth, because we live in a world that seeks to diminish our power.
As green shoots of lilies spring up and tulips open their buds, let spring remind us of God’s resurrection power. Power to restore marriages, power to rebuild relationships, power to bring prodigals home, and power to walk in our calling. During this Easter season, may the resurrection speak to us of the power we possess. Power to make dead things live again, and dead dreams can revive and blossom. It encourages me to know it’s based on His power and not my own. Does that excite you?
What areas in your life need that mighty resurrection power of Jesus Christ? It dwells deep within you. As heirs of the King, we should stop living like paupers. Will you join me in praying for those dead areas to come alive again? That power rests within you, my sister.
Lord Jesus, as we celebrate Your resurrection, help us seek to resurrect the deadness of our lives. Thank You that You died for me, rose again, and will return. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
What are the dead areas of your life? Is there a dream you’ve given up on, but God never said, “No?” During this season of new beginnings, revisit those dead areas and ask God to do a resurrection.
RELATED RESOURCE
Have you ever wondered how we should use the armor of God? I sure have. I know what it is, but how do we actually dress in it? I decided to follow up my question with a study into the armor, and based on my studies, I have developed a Free 7-day prayer guide to help you put on each piece of armor. Get yours here!
Originally posted on April 15, 2022 @ 3:00 am