A Year with Jesus

Note from Jesus

Dear Disciple,

The apostle Paul prayed a meaningful and moving prayer for the Christians in Asia Minor. Here is part of his prayer:

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He [Jesus] has given those He called - His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.
(Ephesians 1:18-20 NLT)

The power of My resurrection is also at work in you through the Holy Spirit Whom I "poured out" on you "in abundance" (Titus 3:3-7). While you still face the limits of your mortal physical body, you will one day have an immortal, indestructible body like the one I had after My resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:49-57; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2). This resurrection power is already at work in you in many ways. So over the next six weeks, I want to share with you some of the implications of the resurrection power that is at work in you through the Holy Spirit.

Verses to Live

Today, I want to share with you another passage that goes along with Paul's prayer from chapter 1 of Ephesians. Paul found himself in very difficult circumstances again and again. Once when he was in Asia Minor - the place the people lived for whom Paul prayed in the verses above, he faced a terrible, life-threatening situation that should have ended in his death. As he stated in the first part of today's Scripture, he recognized his dire situation. However, he experienced resurrection power first hand as We - Father, Son, and Spirit - miraculously delivered him from death. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last time that We did this for Paul. However, the words he used to describe his deliverance are powerful, and I know that they can be a great encouragement to you if you let them. Notice particularly the part in bold below. It's worth memorizing, especially if you are facing a trying ordeal of your own.

My brothers and sisters, we have to tell you that when we were in Asia the troubles we faced were nearly more than we could handle. The burdens we bore nearly crushed us. Our strength dwindled to nothing. For a while, we weren't sure we would make it through the whole ordeal. We thought we would have to serve out our death sentences right then and there. As a result, we realized that we could no longer rely on ourselves and that we must trust solely in God, Who possesses the power to raise the dead. Miraculously God Himself delivered us from the cold hands of death. We again place our hope in Him alone, and we know He will deliver us.
(2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

Response in Prayer

Almighty God - my loving Father, Immanuel, and Comforter - thank You for bringing life to what was dead, hope to those who are hopeless, and help to all who need You. I thank You for the apostle Paul's experiences and his words that give me powerful ways to see the implications of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Thank You for this grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.