“Our Real Strength" Ephesians 6:10
Real Strength Daily
Real Strength is in the Lord
Real Strength is in God’s
Mighty Power
I have found so often in testimony during ministry that those who truly find their inner strength in Christ do so in unnerving weakness. This weakness is seen in illness, in sadness and sometimes when they feel vulnerable and alone.
Jesus Himself leads us to this conclusion in Paul’s words we see:
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Cor. 1:27 (NIV)
In this way, when we align ourselves in Christ all things become acceptable in and through Him.
Will you be found there today?
Real Strength Daily
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephes. 6:10 (NIV)
Do you need real strength TODAY?
Will you stand in a place where others will not today?
…be strong…
Paul uses the word endunamoo, en-doo-nam-a-o; from Greek meaning to empower, enable, increase in strength and to make strong.
This is an imperative, present tense verb. We are commanded to continually be strengthened in Christ.
This is all important that we be strengthened daily.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Does this describe your walk today?
Paul asks us to examine our lives in Christ.
Our lives are related here to a battlefield experience.
Do you picture your life as one on a battlefield?
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:17 (NIV)
We are daily in a battlefield of dominion...
I see the injured and dying around me daily, do you?
You see Paul learned an important lesson that would do good for you and I to come to understand.
On our spiritual battlefield, I will never be strong enough in my own doing…
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:10 (NIV)
Real Strength is in the Lord
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephes. 6:10 (NIV)
Where is our strength placed?
Many place it in themselves.
If it is in myself, it’s a waste of time.
"But God said to him, ’You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ Luke 12:20 (NIV)
Since our lives are so fleeting, let us remember…
“And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:39-40).
“What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death” (Romans 6:21).
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).
As men and women it is good to remember that we each have an appointed day to be born and an appointed day to die…
But the question is which death?
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, Romans 8:13 (NIV)
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. [7] He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
[8] But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Rev. 21:6-8 (NIV)
Real Strength is in God’s Mighty Power
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephes. 6:10 (NIV)
We are told here we are to be strong in the Lord’s mighty power.
God’s mighty power is spoken of in the Old Testament…
For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deut. 34:12 (NIV)
But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. 2 Kings 17:36 (NIV)
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,to make his mighty power known. Psalm 106:8 (NIV)
he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30 (NIV)
We also see God’s hand in eternity with…
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, Acts 13:17 (NIV)
And God’s work and mighty power continue today, and we access it simply by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Will you accept His strength today?
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
Have you accepted Jesus Christ today?
Remember today, your strength is based not in yourself by in Christ Jesus and His mighty power. Our work here and throughout Norton Sound, the Northwest Arctic and indeed the world, depend fully on Him.
This strength for every situation we find ourselves in is part of the call we bring to others of strength, peace, love, hope and joy found in Christ Jesus alone.
In it we continue to “Go ye therefore to all nations…”
