The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Saturday, 17 November 2018 "The Ever-present Source" by Carol Dunn (Saint Andrew, Jamaica)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Saturday, 17 November 2018 "The Ever-present Source" by Carol Dunn (Saint Andrew, Jamaica)

(Image: Pixabay)

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, [the Father] may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16 (NRSV))
I looked on helplessly for more than three hours as a hummingbird that had flown into our office building tried desperately to get back out again. It was eventually able to escape through a window, but during the ordeal it seemed to have used up nearly all of its strength by its fast-paced wing flapping. The bird had grown progressively weaker because no food source was available to replenish its expended energy.
At times we are like that hummingbird. We find ourselves in sticky situations and flutter around frantically trying to find a way out. The frenetic activity saps our mental and emotional energy. Thankfully, we have a source of strength that is available to us, and we can tap in to it to refuel our weary spirits and enable us to go on. God is that source, and in today’s verse, Paul prayed for the people of the church in Ephesus that God’s power would strengthen them.
In times of failing strength we, like Paul, can continually draw from God’s ever-present and unlimited supply to keep our lives spiritually refreshed.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear God, help us to rely on your power that revives us when we become weary. Amen.

TODAY'S READING: Ephesians 3:14-19

Ephesians 3:14 This is why I kneel before the Father. 15 Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16 I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17 I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18 I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19 I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God. (Common English Bible).

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character. 16 I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, 17 so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, 18 so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love, 19 yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God. (Complete Jewish Bible).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

God’s supply of strength is always within reach.

PRAYER FOCUS

Those who feel disconnected 
from God

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