The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
(for Frances, the greatest example of the the theme of this message I know, or ever will know)
"Exceeding, Abundantly Above"
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen" (Ephesians 3:20).
Find the most seemingly weakened and broken born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps lying in a bed from which he will never arise, but from which he will soon pass. In that brother works the power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ "exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think." "My strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Corinthians 12:9).
Find the most fallen believer, the one presently and inexcusably distrusting and disobeying his Lord to the most sordid degree. In that brother works the power of the risen Christ "exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think." "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1).
Find ourselves in times when the next step of life seems to lie ahead of us as a journey of a thousand miles through thorns, briers, and impassable thickets that will rend and tear us as we make our difficult way. In us works the power of the risen Christ "exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think." "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
The presence and involvement of our Lord ever abides within His people. We may or may not avail ourselves of it and can become like those of whom it was long ago said, "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:58). No greater tragedy can be imagined than to be a temple of the living God who created and sustains all things, but to live as if by ourselves and apart from His power affirmed as "exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think." Scripturally, the Corinthian church serves as the saddest example, a company of believers affirmed by the Apostle Paul as temples of the Holy Spirit and greatly blessed by God, but living in an inexcusable carnality expressed in numerous and perverse ways (Corinthians 3:16; 1:1-9; 3:3).
Wherever we may be along the path of righteousness, we find ourselves the scene of a Presence that teems with untold energy, light, and life. Be it the simplest task, or some monumental endeavor to which our Father calls us, He has made provision for our heart, mind, hands, and feet. The believer mentioned who lies upon a bed of stillness may offer prayers such as never prayed before, or his attitude of peace may greatly inspire others. The fallen brother may arise through the abundant forgiveness and cleansing of the Lord Jesus to find himself more faithful than ever (see II Corinthians). We may feel overwhelmed in the moment, only to remember that "the power of an endless life" moves within us so that we take the next step, and then another, and another, and another (Hebrews 7:16).
The power and the life works in us as a gift of grace in the Lord Jesus. It ever abides within is because He ever abides within us. We may, through unbelief and disobedience, stifle its expression in our lives. We do not and cannot, however, terminate its essence and existence. May we arise in faith to avail ourselves of so great an enabling, provided through so glorious an Enabler. Yes, whatever this day holds for us, and whatever we do, we do by "the power that worketh in us," declared to be "exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think."
"The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
(I Timothy 1:14)
Weekly Memory Verse
The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
(I Timothy 1:14)
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