Image from generation.church
Listen to the narration here: https://bit.ly/35A7W48
15 That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the Christians, 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. 17 But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, 19 oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength! 20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. 22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. 23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. (Ephesians 1: 15-23 The Message)
Happy Tuesday, blessed ConCafe Family! And may God's full and rich blessings be yours, dear Friend! As we pray, I ask continued prayers for Gina Zapata, whose condition as of Monday afternoon was very critical. I also ask prayers for Ms. Linnea Cowan, who undergoes knee replacement surgery tomorrow and should be home on Thursday. Pray for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
Solid trust. Outpouring of love. To all the Christians. Quite an opening from Paul to the church in Ephesus. Can it be said of us that we have those three qualities, and that we are indeed doing as they did? To find that in people among whom he had ministered prompted Paul to be in constant prayer of thanksgiving and intercession asking that their work for the Lord would continue. What was his prayer request to the Lord? Paul prayed, Lord, make these believers be intelligent and discerning in knowing You personally, with their eyes focused and clear, so that they can see exactly what it is You are calling them to do, and grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life You have for Christians, and Paul adds his own words, "oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him - endless energy, boundless strength!"
Can you imagine being on the "ground floor" of Apple Computer Company back in the day? It wasn't a smooth ride for all, but just the experience of tapping into the mind of Steve Jobs surely left an imprint on all those who started soon after Jobs and Wozniak moved out of that small garage. It has become the first corporation in history to be worth a trillion dollars. Then, Bill Gates, add to it the name of Jeff Bezos, who probably has profited more than any one individual during this pandemic. It took him several years to make the billions he made, then matched that in a matter of months thanks to people staying indoors and buying most things online. And of course, this is not about money, but what their drive and insight shared with those around them. Then, look at Jesus and the first twelve who shared their lives with Him; their lives were never the same; add to that number Paul the Apostle, and those whom Paul impacted with his life and zeal and love for Jesus. Lydia, the first European Christian convert, and others. That's why we read those above words, which we can paraphrase as "The more you know Jesus, the more you will love Jesus, and the more you love Jesus, the more you will get done on His behalf." Add to that, the power God used to raise Jesus from the dead; and the way God placed Jesus "on a throne in deep heaven," who is "in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to government, no name and no power exempt from His rule." Are we hearing the true description of a King? Yes! And, like a true king, Jesus "has the final word on everything." Christ is at the center of all things, where He rules the church, which is Christ's body, in which Christ speaks and acts, by which He fills everything with His presence.
As we find ourselves in Christ's presence, we find ourselves at His disposal, and our attitude should be, "Speak, Lord, for we, your servants, hear and will obey whatever it is You would have us do."
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we are blessed to be Your church; and we are more blessed when we seek to do Your will in the church as we try to fill Your kingom with Your love and peace. We want to seek the lost and bring about the coming of Your kingdom here on the earth. We will do as You ask. We pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Share your joy in the Lord with at least two people today.
Receive my blessings of joy and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde.
