"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen"


      What can God do? What limits does God have? Our usual answer would be God can do all things, he has no limits. The question isn't really what God can or can't do, but what is God willing to do in your life. Paul's answer would be that God can do more than we can imagine. He told the Philippian church, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." So the question then becomes how much am I willing for God to do in my life?

      When back in his hometown of Nazareth Jesus didn't do many miracles. Was it that his power was somehow less at home? Were there no problems, sickness for him to cure? I'm sure the answer was no on both accounts. Jesus hadn't lost any of his power and there were needs all around. But the home folk wouldn't let him because they couldn't see Jesus as any more than just the carpenter's son. The limits were placed on Jesus by others. 

       The same is true today. Any limits we feel towards God aren't due to his limits, but the limits we place on him. God wants to reveal himself to us. He wants us to know and believe the mystery that is his Son and the gospel message. He desires that we share that message with others. And to that end he is willing to give us anything and everything we need to accomplish his will. The limits come when we don't really believe that. Yes God can do miracles, just not in my life. Sure God uses people and empowers them, but it's always the other guy.


             Don't limit abundant power of God with our limited view. 
       

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with Gods people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."


           A few of you may be old enough to remember Shirley Temple movies. Of course you always had Shirley Temple being cute, and then some tragedy would happen and then a nice couple would make it all right in the end. A common scene, especially during the depression, was that of the waif child, nose against the window, staring into a toy shop or restaurant at all the kids playing with toys or eating a hot meal. That is the image that Paul paints of us before Christ's death on the cross. We were outsiders who could only press our noses to the window of God's grace and promises, but all the while separated from him. 


                       The world at that time was just as segregated as it is today. The rich didn't care for the poor, men had the advantage in all situations over women, slaves had no voice before their masters. Yet above all these prejudices was that of the Jew and Gentile. The enmity between these two groups was legendary. There was no greater prejudice then the hatred these two groups felt for one another. And yet somehow in the grace of God given us through the cross of Christ, these two found common ground. As Paul would tell us in Romans, we are all sinners, and we are all justified freely through faith in Christ. 


                         When we look at others, and make judgement's about their worth to God, just remember in Christ we are all members of the same family, parts of the same body. We are one in the Spirit.
                        

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved." 


          Have you ever been overshadowed by a sibling? My older brother was great at science and band. I managed to get by in science and didn't stay with band past 6th grade. That's not to say it was Carl's fault I did those things, but I just couldn't compete in those areas. Sometimes you may feel that people over look what you can do because they focus on the other sibling. 

        Ephesians 2:4,5 may feel that way. Verse 8 is usually the one quoted when we mention this section or talk about being saved by grace. But, Paul begins his discussion here after reminding us where we are without God's love and grace. We are victims of our own desires and sin. We are disobedient rebels, lost. Two of the most powerful words in Scripture are, "but God". I know they don't appear beside each other here, but that is what Paul is saying, "But, God, who loved us and is rich in mercy, changed everything.

         This is a great verse to remind us where we have come from, nothing, and where we are now, we are alive. When sharing the gospel with someone that is a go to kind of verse, especially when you bring in the first part of chapter 2. We are all lost without Jesus, even the ones who think they have it. We can't earn God's favor, but neither do we have to. It isn't our riches that save us, but God's. And the only way to have access to that storehouse of love and mercy is through faith. 

                                           Memorize this and then find someone to share it with. 

" I pray also 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 the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."


          I am often asked to pray for people. Usually there is a specific reason such as healing or a particular need they wish God to step in and correct. I understand, if I am sick the number one thing on my mind is to feel better, to be well. But what is the number one thing that God would want me to pray for that person? Is there something even more important than receiving our immediate want or need?

          Paul answers this question in Ephesians 1:15-23. This was his prayer for his readers. First of all he was thankful for them, their faith and their love. How would it make you feel to know the apostle Paul was thankful for you? He goes on to mention some petitions, requests to God. His petitions wasn't for them all to be well, or to have all their problems solved. His main petition for them was that they might know God. He prayed they might have the Spirit of wisdom to know him better and that the eyes of their hearts might be opened. Paul specifically asks that they would know the hope of His calling, know the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and know the greatness of His power.

          Why is knowing God better such an important prayer? Our knowledge and vision is so limited. What seems good one moment turns out to be the worst thing that could have happened to us. And what seemed so terrible, in retrospect was a great blessing. We really don't know how to pray as we ought until we see things as God does. 

                   Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you!
         

 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ


        Two of Paul's letters seem to be written not so much as letters, but as statements of faith. In Romans, Paul gives his theology of salvation. In Ephesians he discusses our unity with God through Jesus Christ and then how we need to live out our unity with God in our relationships here and now. He begins this with reminding us about all the blessings we have from God through Jesus.  Verse three begins this section and continues through verse 14.

      Often when we think of being blessed we want it to be in a material form such as extra money that unexpectedly comes in the mail or physical healing and recovery. We may apply it to our relationships here and now, making a new friend, finding the love of our life. But Paul begins with pointing us upward. Our greatest blessings are spiritual. What God has done for us in establishing our relationship with him as far more important, much more a blessing then just putting an extra hundred dollars in our checking account. 

       Why is that? We have to consider what is real. We are wrapped in flesh, this world is what we see and experience. Physical blessings are things that we see now. Yet the spiritual world is the one that will outlast the here and now. Spiritual reality is more real than physical. So a spiritual blessing is one that stays with us always. We receive extra money today and by tomorrow we have spent it and by the next day after that we are wishing for more. We recover from one illness only to come down with something else later on. Spiritual blessings, our life with God, is for eternity. Now that is a blessing worth having. 

" You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,"declares the Lord."

         A few weeks ago I shared verse 11 just before this. Each one is a beautiful promise, but a promise that comes not from seeking what we want but from trusting God. I mentioned before that Jeremiah had the difficult task of speaking God's truth to the kingdom of Judah as it fell. Chapter 29 is actually a letter that God had Jeremiah write to the exiles in Babylon. In the letter he tells them to settle in where they are taken, go on with life and when the time is right God would bring the people back out of exile.

         The path back seems to always begin with soul searching repentance. We see that with the Prodigal son as he is feeding pigs in a foreign land. We see it when Jacob decides it is time to return home and face the wrath of his brother Esau. We see Peter restored by Jesus after his heart check of feed my sheep. We need to feel our need, to know that we need to come back. 

         The promise that when we are ready, so is God. Jesus said seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. The Prodigal son found the father waiting for him. Jacob found Esau with arms wide open. Peter went on to preach the gospel to the very people he had coward before earlier. Are you lost? Do you know if you are lost or found. If you are lost seek God. And in finding God you will find that he has found you.

" For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. "


              When I was thinking about what verse to use with the message today this verse jumped out at me. I then realized I hadn't used it yet for a Key Verse. What a shame on my part, this is such a fundamental verse for us to build our lives on. 

               Ephesians may have been more of a sermon Paul wrote down then just a letter. Much like the letter to the Romans there are fewer personal references to individuals and more of a flow, following an outline. The message of Ephesians is that of unity. Chapters 1-3 our unity with God through Christ. Chapters 4-6 our unity then with one another, built on what God has done for us through the cross of Christ.

                 These three verses are as simple and profound a statement you will find on our salvation. We don't earn it, we don't deserve it, but we receive it through faith, and even that we are allowed such faith is by grace as a gift from God. We can't brag or boast to others of how special we are that God just had to save us. We are his workmanship, we are immersed in his grace, we have been prepared by him for him.

                   Paul would elsewhere say where is the boasting? I can't expect for this one thing, Christ died for me. Of that I can boast, but not in myself., but boast in Christ. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11


This is a popular verse these days. You see it on coffee mugs and key chains everywhere you turn. But as often happens with verses that become trendy, they are often used out of context. Some seem to mean with the verse that it’s all good, that as Christians everything should be constantly going our way.  After all God wouldn't have a bad plan for you, would he?

The context of Jeremiah is not a happy one. Jeremiah Is often referred to as the "Weeping Prophet' for his message was particularly difficult. He prophesied to the last days of the kingdom of Judah and into its fall. He may have been taken to Egypt in exile, where popular theory says he died a martyr’s death.

Yet always in the gloom and doom of a prophet's message God would point to a time of restoration. Chapter 29 points to such a time, a time of return and promise, but also a time of repentance on the part of Israel. God's plan for them Included this time of exile, but he also knew that through this they would learn to look to him again, and trust him. When they were ready God would also restore his blessings and promises to them.

Jeremiah 29:11 isn't about God approving our plans or even making life easy. It is about God being faithful to his purpose and plan. When we learn to trust God's plan and to follow him, then yes, those plans will prosper us and lead to a hope and a future.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6