34 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
34 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">May 2</div>
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<h2>The Exceedingly Abundant Ability of God</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Now to <b>Him</b> who is <b>able</b> to do <b>exceedingly abundantly</b> above <b>all</b> that we <b>ask</b> or <b>think</b>, according to the <b>power</b> that works <b>in us</b>, to <b>Him</b> be <b>glory</b> in the <b>church</b> by Christ Jesus to <b>all</b> generations, forever and ever. Amen.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',3,'20-21');">Ephesians 3:20-21</a>)</div>
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<p>In light of <b>God</b> being <b>our sufficiency</b> for the development of <b>godly characteristics</b>, this benedictory prayer in <a onClick="return mV('Eph',3,'-');">Ephesians 3</a> becomes an appropriate and instructive response.</p>
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<p>It begins with the <b>most critical issue</b> for living the Christian life, the <b>ability</b> of <b>God</b>: <i>"Now to <b>Him</b> who is <b>able</b>."</i> Natural religious thinking would set forth the ability of man as the most vital matter in developing a godly life. Such an approach would leave us striving vainly under the law, attempting to live up to God's perfect standards by our own inadequate resources. Praise be to God, there is a heavenly, effective option: relying upon God's ability.</p>
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<p>Think of the immeasurable ability of the Lord. <i>"Ah, Lord God! Behold, <b>You</b> have <b>made</b> the <b>heavens</b> and the <b>earth</b> by <b>Your</b> great power and outstretched arm. There is <b>nothing</b> too hard for <b>You</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',32,17);">Jeremiah 32:17</a>). He created the entire universe. Certainly, by His power He is able to strengthen us. <i>"Behold, I am the <b>LORD</b>, the God of <b>all flesh</b>. Is there <b>anything</b> too hard for <b>Me</b>?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',32,27);">Jeremiah 32:27</a>). Our Lord rules over all of humanity. Surely, He is able to manage our lives. Actually, our God is <i>"able to do <b>exceedingly abundantly</b> above <b>all</b> that we <b>ask</b> or <b>think</b>."</i> Everything we could ask concerning His will, He is able to do far beyond that. Whatever we might contemplate but hesitate to ask, He is able to surpass that.</p>
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<p>One amazing aspect of God exercising His ability on our behalf is the imparting of <b>His power</b> within <b>our lives</b>: <i>"according to the <b>power</b> that works <b>in us</b>."</i> This is how the Lord wants to develop godliness in our lives. He Himself desires to work by the power of His grace deep within our hearts. <i>"For it is good that the <b>heart</b> be <b>established</b> by <b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',13,9);">Hebrews 13:9</a>). Again, the Christian life is not affected from the outside in, hoping to modify our behavior by external religious pressures. Rather, it involves a true change of character within, affected by God Himself. This is how God is ultimately glorified in the lives of His people: <i>"to <b>Him</b> be <b>glory</b> in the <b>church</b>."</i> He works a genuine transformation of life in and through us. Then, we give Him the glory for His exceedingly abundant ability.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God of exceeding abundance, I worship You as the one
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who is able to do all things well. Forgive me for repeatedly
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turning to my ability. Lord, as I seek You in Your word, build
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my faith. Unleash the powerful life of Your Son within my
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heart, making me what You want me to be, through Christ I pray,
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Amen.</div>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0501.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0503.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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