“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, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

He Who is more than able will do what He has promised.  Do you understand that our Lord, who created all things, is more than able to do what He says He will do?  Our hope is not based upon what we can think up, but upon the One through whom all things have their being.  Do not be led by your strength, but rest in the strength of the One who has come to lead the way.  In Him is all life, hope, and the promise of a good future.

Lord, move me away from looking to myself or even others for the comfort that only You can give.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would now and forever abide in You knowing that You are the source of all goodness.  Let me not be hindered by the lies of this world but be transformed by the renewing of my mind to rest in You, Your will, and Your ways.  In You alone is all hope.

Lord Jesus, You are the way.  Only in walking with You will I find all that I desire.  Only in listening to You will I hear the words I need to hear.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life so that I would follow the narrow path You have established.  Lead me, O Lord, now and forever to be guided by You alone.  Teach me this day and fill my heart with the love and hope You know I need.  Amen.

“May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3).

Are you exploring?  Or are you one who thinks that they have it all figured out?  This life is complex, deep, broad, and high.  The depth of God will not be understood after a million years.  Never tire of seeking knowledge of the Lord, His ways, and all that He has shown You.  In Him is all life and all life reflects His mercy and goodness.  Do You pursue the things of the Lord?

Lord, grant that I may never tire of learning of Your goodness.  Guide me daily to learn new things and grow in my understanding of You and all that You have made.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I would now and forever seek after wisdom.  In You alone is life and its meaning.  In You is all knowledge.  Guide me, O Lord, to be one who pursues all that is right and good.    

Lord Jesus, You have come and taught us the way, truth, and life.  Yet, I have only begun to understand what these things mean.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I would forever abide in You and the hope You have given me by grace.  Lead me, O Lord, to know that with You all things are possible.  Encourage me to be hungry for truth and to be willing learn what You teach.  Amen.

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:16-17)

Christ the Firstborn, who set the standard, is the pattern and we should be conformed to His image.  This is the hope and promise that Scripture speaks of.  We are strengthened to walk humbly in the way He established and are called to always follow Him in that way.  Be strengthened in the power of the Holy Spirit to humbly walk with the Lord, being rooted and grounded in His love.

Lord, there are the longings of my heart, but You know where I often get off track and wander in a different direction.  Lead me, Lord, in the right way so that I would simply and humbly walk with You.  Help me now and forever to live into the life for which You have called me.  Help me to not wander astray, but follow You in all of Your ways until that day when I stand before You face to face.

Lord Jesus, You know all that is needed.  You know where I am, where I am going, and all that needs to happen.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of salvation and let nothing hinder me from following You.  Ground me in Your love so that I may learn from You how to love my neighbor as myself.  Teach me all that You know I need to learn and grow in me the eternal way of life.  Amen.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15)

The source of our being is God.  Such a simple thought, which is so profound, is revealed.  We often act as though we are our own beings when we are really creatures created by the One who created all things.  We all ought to bend the knee and humble ourselves before the One through whom all things exist.  Come then and live into the hope and promise He alone can and does give.

Lord, I act as though I am my own person.  Yes, You have given me the ability to think this way, but this cannot be all that I am.   Lead me in the right direction so that I would look to You for all things.  In You alone is the source of life.  In You alone is all meaning.  Guide me, Lord, in the right way of thinking and being.  Guide me to live life as You have created it to be lived.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me in the way You have established by grace in order that I may walk humbly with You and live into the life that You have created for me to live.  In the way You alone know I need to walk, help me follow You so that I would continue as the Father’s new creation, becoming what You have planned from the beginning.  Amen.

“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory” (Ephesians 3:13).

We know that there are those in this world who hate the Gospel.  We also know that the Lord knows all things and has planned beforehand for our salvation.  Therefore, what happens as we suffer for the sake of the Gospel must have a purpose that is fulfilled in God’s plan.  This is why we are told to rejoice that we are included in suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

Lord, this is a mystery that I do not fully understand.  Help me Lord, to see that in You is hope and a future.  Guide me in the way of life that You have established so that I may now and always be led by You in the hope You give.  Let me not be discouraged by my suffering that will happen, knowing that all things are in Your hands and that You have promised to work them together for good.

Lord Jesus, You were no stranger to suffering.  All along the way there were those who were literally out to get You and we know where it ended: at the cross.  Help me through my times of struggle knowing that all things have always been in Your hands.  Guide me according to Your goodness and mercy to live through all that comes my way trusting in Your purpose for all things.  Amen.   

“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:11-12).

The purpose fulfilled in Christ was determined at the beginning.  Do not believe those who deceive when they tell you these things were made up along the way.  The Lord is purposeful and has accomplished your salvation according to His eternal promise.  Trust Him and have confidence in what He has done for you.  Through Jesus You have gained salvation.

Lord, the world has been fighting against You from the beginning, but You knew they would.  There are those who try to deceive and lead people astray, but You knew that too.  Help me Lord, to see through the fog of this world and live in the hope You give me through Christ.  Guide me in Your goodness to look to You in confidence.  You have already done all that needs to be done.

Lord Jesus, in so many places in the Gospels you said, “My time is not yet.”  You knew what the time would be and how the world would press in on You.  In those simple words You express the truth that Your eternal purpose is of old.  You know what You are doing and You know what is needed.  Help me to trust You Lord so that I may now and always be led by You in the hope given by Your grace.  Amen.

“So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:10).

The church is to reflect the wisdom of God.  Because of sin and the world’s ways, the church often also reflects the foolishness of God’s people.  In both cases, the reality of God’s presence is made known.  It is amazing how the world tries so hard to shut down the Lord and His Gospel, but each time this is done there is a new place where the Gospel reaches out into the world.  The Gospel is real and all else is the illusion.

Lord, help me to see through the fog of this age so that I might live into the hope You have given me through the Gospel.  Whether others see it or not, that is Your business, but You have called for me to be faithful.  Teach me, Lord, what this means so that, walking in Your Spirit, I may be a witness of Your presence in the world.  Let me hold fast to the Gospel and stand firm in the truth You have revealed through Christ my Savior.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for as many as would follow You.  Let me be counted among those who are trusting in Your grace and mercy.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see the path before me and chose the way of righteousness.  Lead me, O Lord, with eyes to see, ears to hear, and a willingness to obey all that You command.  Only in You do I have eternal hope.  Amen.

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things” (Ephesians 3:8-9)

Who are the saints?  They are those who have overcome sin and death in this world through the grace of Christ.  In other words, they trust Christ, for Christ has overcome for us.  All who believe are given the power to become as Paul was.  In this mystery, the faith is established and it grows.  Live into the life you have been given through Christ and come into His grace and mercy.  Know that in Jesus is all hope.

Lord, it is so simple, but this world makes it so complex.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of life by Your grace which You have purchased from the cross.  Bring to light all that needs to be seen in order that in the revelation of You who are the light of the world, I may walk humbly and learn the mysteries of the faith.  Your gift of grace is beyond all that this world has to offer.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that all who believe may have life and have it abundantly.  You went to the cross doing for each one of us what none of us could do.  In You is the hope for all ages.  Lead me, O Lord, today and every day to abide in the truth of the revelation You have made.  Guide me to learn to be like You and to conform my life to Yours.  Through all things, lift me up to be with You now and forever.  Amen.