Living in the Spirit
July 22, 2021
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
The mail deliverer failed to pick up an important letter I had placed for mailing. He had already disappeared by the time I saw the envelope still on the mailbox. I grabbed it jumped in the car and immediately took it to the closest post office. As I was leaving the post office my former exercise trainer crossed the street ahead of me. While I keep up with him on social media, I cannot remember the last time I saw him in person. It was pre-COVID for sure. I wheeled into the parking lot, and he came over to the passenger side window. We had a great reunion for a few minutes. I love these blessings that appear amid angst.
I credit my trainer for giving me back my life. My knee got so bad in the 1990s that I was barely able to walk and had to use a cane. At that stage in medical history, I was not considered old enough to have a knee replacement. I gained a lot of weight. When I finally reached the magic age (I do not think there is an age limit now), my knee was replaced and after physical therapy, I could walk with no pain but that was just about it. I inquired of the physical therapist if there was nothing more I could do to get in better shape and got a vague answer. Frustrated, I got in my car and drove directly to the exercise business owned by my future trainer, and began the road to fuller recovery. As I read the above scripture, I thought that is exactly what Paul did for the Ephesians and what we are called to do to all people thirsting for being rooted and grounded in love. He introduced them to a new way of being. This letter was his continuing support of them.
My sister and I used to sing a popular religious song in the 1950s. It Is No Secret What God Can Do. We need to share that message with a world that seems to have lost sight of that truth.
The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened, I have news for you
It is no secret what God can do
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open, he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do
There is no night for in his light you’ll never walk alone
You’ll always feel at home, wherever you may roam
There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side
Take him at his promise, don’t run away and hide
It is no secret what God can do*
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do
Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of helping people know your love. Amen.
*It Is No Secret by Stuart Hamblen see at https://www.google.com/search?q=it+is+no+secret+what+god+can+do&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS922US922&oq=it+is+n&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j35i39j0l3j69i60l3.4008j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.