Daily Devotionals

Get in the Game Week 1: Friday

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Throughout His ministry, Jesus reached out to unlikely people. He reached out to outcasts, the sick, and those who people often avoided. As He reached out to these unlikely people, He demonstrated something critical: no person is too far gone to be changed by His power. You see, God's power is greater than we could possibly imagine. That means that even those whom we least expect to come to know Him are not beyond the reach of His power.

The apostle Paul teaches us in Ephesians 3 that God does the impossible. He does things that are far greater than we could imagine. In this passage of Scripture, Paul writes about God's great love for His people. He writes a prayer in Ephesians 3, praying that his readers would grasp and comprehend the depth of God's love. As he wraps up this chapter in Ephesians, he breaks out into praise. He says, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" (verse 20). God's power is infinite, and it is at work in us. He does even greater things than we could even think to ask for. Nothing is outside the grasp of God's power, even the salvation of the person you would never expect to place their faith in Him. 

Do you believe in the power of God to change lives, even the lives of people who seem so far from Christ that you would never imagine placing their faith in Him? How would you live if you truly believed in God's power to change every life? Would you be more vocal about your faith? Would you invite that person to church who you would never expect to say "yes" to your invitation? It is time that we believe the words of Paul in Ephesians 3:20 when it comes to sharing our faith. God…is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think," especially in the lives of those who need the hope that only He offers.

Moving toward action

Who is that person who you least expect to give their life to Christ? Reach out to them today. Send them a coffee, invite them to lunch, or offer to help them with something they need help with. As you reach out to this person, look for opportunities to share your faith with them. Don't forget to pray for God's power to be revealed in that person's life so they can have a relationship with Him.

Going Deeper

Going Deeper - Ephesians 3:1-21

"When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

6 And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. 13 So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."