2Jan2014 - Approaching God

How you doin? I've had enough of this recovery. I want the pins to come out. Please be praying for Stacey as she heads to work today in her attempt to compensate for my lost income. This is quite a test in depending on the Lord instead of the world. Depending on heaven's resources instead of the world's resources. Lord grant us strength, perseverance, and hope. Most of all give grace. Ephesians 3 today.

This chapter is still in the posture of sitting and receiving. I love it. It's so empowering, equipping, and edifying. Verses 4-5, "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets." There is power in knowledge. The knowledge of the mystery of Christ. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Verses 7-9, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things." I've come to depend on God's grace. If I don't have the grace to do something it's probably because I've step out in front of Jesus. I'm in His grace if I follow Him. When I speak or continue walking after He stops, that's when I'm in my own power instead of His. I love the language that Paul uses, "the boundless riches of Christ". COME ON!!!!!!! SO GOOD!!!!!!!

Here's my favorite, verse 12, "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." HOLY MAC A LOLY!!!!!!! I/we may approach God. Hard to imagine that my mind still sees me as "sinner". If I can start to believe that I'm truly a son of the Most High, I may be able to "approach God with freedom and confidence". This is a promise I want to receive. I'll just reach right out and grab that. COME ON!!!!!!! I believe every word in the Bible. They are all intended for me to believe. This verse is a good word. POWER-FULL!!!!!!!

Each of the first 3 chapters of Ephesians ends with a prayer. These prayers are where the receiving truly takes place. This one I'm going to copy into this email, because it's that good. Verses 14-21,  "For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." The power of grace and receiving the full measure of God makes it possible for me/us to "approach God with freedom and confidence".  WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!! Just receive that today.