Today I am thinking about Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16).
One of my goals for 2013 is to grow spiritually, to become stronger in the Spirit. One way I am doing that is by working through the Psalms–reading, studying, analyzing, thinking about applications, and writing a prayer that corresponds to each psalm. During the first few days of the new year, I have posted those studies as blogs, but I want to return to other blogging topics. A link to the devotionals based on the Psalms will be available near the bottom of the Devotional Index Page.
Today, the first Sunday of the New Year provides a good opportunity to think about how we might find greater spiritual strength. Paul writes that God strengthens us inwardly through his Spirit. How do we find and accept that strengthening? Surely it is not automatic! How do we cooperate with God in the effort? Each must find his or her own answer, but for me it involves being more in tune with and aware of God’s presence in my life. This involves listening to God, praying, daily communing with him. I want to meditate on his word, contemplate his glory and majesty, become like him as I focus on him.
Time spent with God’s people is a part of that process. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to lift hearts together in worship today. May the glory be yours now and forever in the church, and may we know the power that gloriously energizes and works within us!