Working in Us

Scripture:
"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."
(Ephesians 3:20)

For years I have quoted this scripture verse and it has always been an encouragement to me knowing that God is so able to care for me. Even beyond what we can even ask or think.

This morning, as I was leaving to come to work, I saw someone parked behind me, sitting in the passenger seat with the car door open. I smiled and nodded as I opened my car to put my backpack in the back seat when a man stepped out of his car and began speaking to me. He told me he had run out of gas and did not have a gas can.

Of course, I was happy to oblige him, so we got my gasoline container and we went to get him some gas. (It was only a few blocks away.) As we chatted we found out that we were both believers and for the next 15 minutes we had a great time of fellowship.

Now what are the chances that a brother in Christ would run out of gas right behind my car and would be sitting there just at the time I was coming out to go to work? Is our God great or what!

At the same time, for years I never really noticed that last part of that verse that says, "according to His power that is at work within us." Now notice that it says according to His power "that is at work within us." I never thought about it before, but there are many, many Christians that just don't seem to be connected with God. Do you know what I mean? They are good people, they go to church, they seem Christian ok, but there life just does not seem to be all together?

I am not criticizing here, because this was my life for many years, even during the time I was a missionary in Spain. Yes, really, but I did not know it. I was a good Christian, I prayed, I read my bible, I gave out tracts, I witnessed and I left the results to God. Yet there seemed to be something missing, that is I did not see His power as much as I wanted or expected it to.

Very frankly, I had no idea how to get God's power to be at work within me and this is not to say that I have arrived or anything. It is just to say that it takes more then just having the head knowledge that God is able and that God will care for us, I think it takes a spiritual knowledge to keep focused on God and His Word in a way that His power works within us.

Let us continually remember that we are more then just people walking around on this earth, doing good deeds and taking care of our families, we are now spiritual beings, born of God, joint heirs with Jesus, citizens of the Kingdom with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that comforts us, guides us, fills us, teaches us and reminds us that is it Him who works in us to do His good pleasure. As an old favorite hymn says, "this world is not my own, I am just a passing through."

Request:
That you would pray for the following small towns in southern Spain that will be that target of an evangelism effort next month; Lora del Rio, Fuentes de Andalucia, Santaella, La Luisiana, La Lantejuela, Casariche, Herrera, Pedrera, El Campillo, El Rubio, Rute, Cero Perrera, La Puebla de los Infantes, Canada Rosal, La Montiela, Almodovar del Rio & Fuente Palmera. (Look them up on Google Earth :-)

Prayer:
Dear Lord God, Thank you for loving us so much, more then even we are capable of understanding. We rest in your care and surrender to your will. This world is not our home and we wait for the glorious day when we will be with you in our mansions, serving you and praising you forever. Amen