Who's God the Power #270

Ephesians 3:14-21                                                                                 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.                                                                                                 

The Bible is rich with illustrations of prayer. Often these are the recorded prayers of God’s greatest leaders and servants. In this case the Apostle Paul is writing to the Ephesian church and expresses his prayer for them.  As in all our prayers he appeals to the “Father” as the father of all of mankind. His prayer is specific. He prays for the Ephesian church to be strengthened with God’s power. The source of the power is God the Holy Spirit. The place of the power is in their inner being. He also prays that they will be aware that Christ dwells in their hearts by faith. The need to be rooted and grounded in love permeates his prayer. So much so that he calls for their deepest understanding of God’s love to them; its breadth, length, height, and depth. The love that transcends the ability to even know completely. The last part of his prayer is that they be filled with the fullness of God. It is the power in the inner being, where the Holy Spirit dwells, that becomes Paul’s main emphasis for prayer.  

He finishes with a praise to the God who provides the power, strength and love. Ultimately his desire is that God be glorified.

Paul’s prayer is a prayer for you. You need the power, strength and love of God in your life. Whether it is your individual life, the life of your family, or your church; you need a renewal of your dependence on the God who provides all things. Ask and you shall receive.    

___________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Yes we are finally home. I spent a rewarding 11 days in Missouri and Arkansas. The revival at Second Baptist Church in Lebanon proved to be a great blessing to me and I believe also the church. I spent the week preaching on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit from the Book of Ephesians. It was good to spend time with my friends there. 

The wedding in Arkansas was like a family reunion. The only problem many family members were not able to attend. Sandy, Mandy and I were entertained and delighted with Justin. He is 10 months old and so much fun. He was the hit of the festive occasion. It was good for Sandy's side of the family to spend some time with him, and maybe the rest of us too.


We certainly enjoyed all of them. Casey and Shannon are officially married. They will moving into their new home this week. A sidelight; the weather all week had been beautiful (85 days-68 nights and lots of sunshine.) The day of the wedding it rained almost all day. By 4PM, wedding time, the rain had let up but it was 45 degrees and the wedding was outside. These Arizona bones were freezing. I have included a picture of Sandy and her brother, the wedding couple, her brother, her nephew and Justin. I enjoyed playing with Justin before we boarded the plane too.

Please continue to pray for me and Sandy as we have opportunity to preach and teach God's Word. Sandy continues her Young Mom's Bible study on the Book of Ruth, Tuesday mornings at First Baptist Church of Tempe. I will be preaching there on Sunday October 13th at 9:30 AM. The following week-end we will be camping with Grace Community Church at Roosevelt Lake in Arizona. I will be leading the Sunday worship at the campground. 

You are such a blessing to me. Thank you for taking the time to drop me an email from time to time. If you are new to The Encourager you can get all the ones from the past at <www.dgtheencourager.blogspot.com> 

If you have a friend or family member, or maybe a Sunday School class that would like to receive The Encourager please send me names and email addresses. I will be glad to include them on the list. 

May God bless you this week with His strength in your inner being.  ~ DGW