Wrestling

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.“  Ephesians 6:12

Flesh fights against flesh.

Lord, increase my understanding of what I’m truly fighting against.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

What We’re Up Against

I know what my eyes see
and my ears hear
and how it affects me

but You say this is not
where my battleground
should be

and ask me
to wrestle in prayer
on my knees

against all powers
rulers of darkness
and principalities.

Submitting To One Another

“. . .but be filled with the Spirit . . .submitting to one another in the fear of God.”  Ephesians 5:18,21

Submitting can be a touchy subject.

Lord, please help me understand more and more about submitting to others in fear of You, not them.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Heart Sure

Submitting sounds like
giving in
like being a door mat
for others to wipe their feet on
before barging in
but God sees it as a heart
so sure of its surrender
to Him
that it can make way
without being lessened
or dimmed.

Growing Up

“. . .that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro . ..

. . .but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ

from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”  Ephesians 4:14-16

We hear a lot about growing churches today, but Paul seemed more interested in us growing strong in the Lord.

Lord, we desire to grow in the callings You have given each of us, so that the body of Christ will be strong and healthy.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

A Healthy Body

Knitted together
so we can be

at our best
strong and healthy

as one body
of individual callings

loved and loving
always edifying.

All The Fullness

“. . .that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height -

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians  3:16-19

What a prayer Paul left for us to pray for one another and ourselves!

Thank You, Lord, for being and doing  more than we could ever imagine.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Through His Spirit

You are incomprehensible
yet still find a way

to make Yourself known to us
each and everyday

loving to inhabit
our worship and praise

strengthening us by Your Spirit
as we come to You and pray.

Made Alive

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sin . . .”  Ephesians 2:1

I still remember how it felt before He made me alive.

Thank You, Lord, for not leaving me dead in my sins, but dying for me so I could be made alive.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Who Once Was Dead

I was dead inside
and wanted to die
and thought nothing
would ever change me.

Then You made me alive
so now I can’t hide
this smile
and rejoicing. 

Riches

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace . . .”  Ephesians 1:7

I’ve seen shows where contestants have come back hoping to redeem themselves. It doesn’t always work out for them.

Lord, thank You for a grace so deeply rich that it went to the cross and back to redeem us.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Rich Grace

In Him we have redemption
in Him we have grace

the forgiveness of sins
a forever resting place

adopted to Himself
according to His good will

accepted as beloved
with a Holy Spirit seal.