My Prayer for You (Ephesians 3:13-19)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 3:13-19

This is my prayer for my family and friends today.

I pray, as Paul did, that each of you might be “strengthened with power through His spirit.” We live in difficult, turbulent times. So many of those I love are struggling with health issues. They’re valiantly searching for jobs, wondering how they’ll pay next month’s bills. They’re grieving over the loss of loved ones. And so I pray for a supernatural strength that comes only from our Lord.

I pray that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Faith is the foundation of our relationships with God—Father, Son, and Spirit. It is the “handle on what we can’t see” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith comes from having complete trust in God, knowing He is working all things for His glory and our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

I pray that you will truly, deeply know God’s love, the love that “surpasses knowledge.” A love that is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). A love that will never forsake (Hebrews 13:5). A love that was willing to sacrifice God’s only Son for us (John 3:16).

Those of us who know God are blessed, just by being His children. And yet He gives us so much more. No matter what is happening in this world and in our lives, God is in loving control. He will strengthen us with a love that is beyond comprehension.

Amen and amen.

Live By Faith (Galatians 3:11-12)

Today’s scripture: Galatians 3:11-12

The Webster-Webster’s Dictionary defines faith as “allegiance to duty or a person” or “belief and trust in and loyalty to God” or “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.”

The first definition is relatively easy. I can be faithful to my husband because I see him and talk with him. I know his history of loyalty and integrity. I have friends I share my secrets with because they’ve proven themselves to be trustworthy.  

That last definition of faith can be difficult. We can’t touch Jesus with our hands or see Him with our eyes. No definite, absolute, tangible proof exists that God exists. Yet countless people have faith in Him.

And countless others don’t believe in God because they want every “I” dotted and every “T” crossed. They say they can’t believe in Him unless He appears in their very presence. They want to know everything about Him.

But a god that can be fully known by our human, finite minds isn’t much of a god at all. I believe in the God who remains a mystery. I’ve seen the results of His work in creation. I’ve experienced His intervention and His miracles.

And even though I’ve never seen Him or touched Him or audibly heard His voice, I know He is. I know He loves me and blesses me and walks alongside me. He heals. He provides. He gives peace.

I have faith in “something for which there is no proof”—for my mind, at least. But my heart trusts completely.

A Firm Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

When my husband and I bought our current home over 12 years ago, we had the privilege of watching it be built from the ground up. Every weekend or so, we’d drive out from Anaheim to Corona (now Eastvale) to see what was new and different.

Of course, the first thing the builders did was to lay the foundation. They poured the slab, and then it took a while before they began to frame the house. They had to make certain the foundation was sound in order to make certain the house would be sound.

Once the foundation was as solid as a rock, they framed the house, using the right materials and making careful measurements. Bit by bit, a house was built. And it stands, solid and strong.

It’s the same with our Christian lives. First, we have to make certain our foundation is sound, and for believers, our foundation is our faith in Jesus Christ. But even with a sound foundation, our “houses” may not be as solidly built as they might be.

If we’re building our faith with regular time in God’s word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, then our faith grows strong and vibrant. If, however, we’re not really even building our faith at all, then it stagnates.While we can never lose a sincerely-sought salvation, we may miss out on what God truly desires to do in and through us.

So first, what’s your foundation? Have you sincerely committed your life to Christ?

Second, how are you “building” your spiritual “house”? Serving God? Serving others? Meditating on His word?

Lay the right foundation, and build a solid house. One that will live on and will leave a legacy.

The Foundation of Our Faith (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The foundation of our faith is the cross: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We who follow the God of the Bible believe in a triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit. One God. Three Persons.

When Adam and Eve decided to disobey God’s command to not eat of one single tree in the garden (Genesis 2:16-17), sin entered the world, and man was separated from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “the wages of sin is death”—eternal separation from God (Romans 3:23;6:23). The Son came to earth to pay that penalty, and it is through His death and resurrection that we find salvation.

It’s that simple. And that complex.

So many so-called preachers stand at pulpits speaking with eloquence and “persuasive words of wisdom,” yet their words are empty. They speak of how we can feel good. How we can prosper. How we can be successful.

Yet they fail to share the most important thing: “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

Measure the words of those who claim to be preachers of the gospel. What are they really saying? Are they proclaiming truth? That one thing?

If not, keep looking until you find someone who is.