iTrain30

Reading for Day 30
September 30

Col. 4:16-18
Psalm 25:1-15
Prov. 6:6-11

Psalm 25:4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

I think this is a great summary prayer. My desire truly is for God to show me the right path. This would be true for me personally including, shat I think, who I am and what I do. This would be true as I live out the different roles of my life; husband, father, son, brother, friend, pastor. To see a prayer like this in scripture assures me that God does show the right path and the right road to those who are seeking.

I pray that this 30 days of devotion will not end here. The reason for this exercise was to establish the personal discipline of a daily quiet time. Thank you for coming along this journey with me.

iTrain30

Reading for Day 29
September 29

Col. 4:7-15
Psalm 24:1-10
Prov. 6:1-5

Paul closes out the book of Colossians by mentioning 9 fellow workers by name. Paul is not shy about the love he has for these people. He sends Tychicus to find out about them. He describes Tychicus as a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant. He then goes on to mention Onesimus and describes him as a faithful and beloved brother. He goes on to talk about the others and how there is this interconnected concern that is expressed not only in letters but through constant prayers for each other. Paul values people and relationships.

This passage reminds me that the people God has put around me are important and I should not take this blessing for granted. The greatest fellowship we have is with those who join us in serving the Lord. God is so good to surround me with great people. I truly love them and thank God for the great fellowship we enjoy.

God often brings people to my mind for prayer. Emails are a great way for me to pray for special requests. Our prayers for each other really do make a difference.

Well we have almost made to the end of our iTrain exercise. I have very much enjoyed this. I hope this has helped to establish your more firmly in your discipline of daily personal devotion. It has helped me stay on track personally. Your comments have been great to read. I don’t know that I have ever been a part of a personal devotion group like this before. I loved it. Thanks for coming along on this journey. I will miss this when we are done.

Reading for Day 30
September 30

Col. 4:16-18
Psalm 25:1-15
Prov. 6:6-11

iTrain30

Reading for Day 28
September 28

Col. 4:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Prov. 5:22-23

There is something amazing about Psalm 23. The idea of having God shepherd us is very securing. His promise is to provide all we need, green pastures and calm waters. He renews strength and leads us down right paths. The darkest valleys of life may scare us but He promises to walk with us. He will tap us with his staff to correct and guide us. There is great comfort from the rod’s constant nudging because it means my Shepherd is still with me. I can deal with the conflict of enemies and find peace in the middle of it all to sit down to a banquet. He blesses me to the point that my cup runs over. And surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Now that brings me a great sense of security when I face the uncertainty of the future. How great is it to have a God who is this involved in my life. A God who cares enough to do all this for me. This Psalm is surely one that deserves to be memorized. That way it can go with me everywhere.

Reading for Day 29
September 29

Col. 4:7-15
Psalm 24:1-10
Prov. 6:1-5

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Reading for Day 27

September 27

Col. 3:18-25
Psalm 22:19-31
Prov. 5:15-21

Reading through Colossians 3 we discover a new life and a new focus.

When we come to Christ some radical things take place. All of a sudden we are not helpless to navigate life with our power alone. In fact, the entrance of this new power is described as putting off the old man and his ways and putting on the new man.

This new man thinks differently and is like the one who created us. This is no simple revision of who we are. The difference is described like this, we died and are now hidden in Christ. This is new life.

We are also given a new focus. Ordinary things we do and say are to be done in the name of Jesus. These ordinary things if done with this new focus can be done not only for the people around us but for the Lord Christ. So when I love my wife and parent my kids I do it for them but I should also know that doing a good job in these areas also pleases the Lord. He wants me to be a great husband and father. When I do the ordinary jobs that go with my weekly tasks I do them for the Lord. The mundane, ordinary and sometimes tedious and routine things can take on greater meaning when I remember that I do them for the Lord. So how do I serve the Lord? I serve the Lord in everything I do. God wants me to get it right and to be the best I can be and when I do this, I am serving the Lord.

God leads me to be all I can be everywhere I am. This is something to think about.

Reading for Day 28
September 28

Col. 4:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Prov. 5:22-23

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Reading for Day 26
September 26

Col. 3:1-17
Psalm 22:1-18
Prov. 5:7-14

Written hundreds of years before Christ Psalm 22 weaves together amazing details that later appear as part of the story of Jesus.

“My God, My God why have you forsaken me.” These words of Jesus on the cross are in fact a quote from this passage. There are details that fulfill the prophecies in this passage. He was despised, mocked, his heart melted, bones were out of joint. One of the amazing attention getters of the Bible are the details of the life of Christ clearly recorded hundreds of years before they were acted out in His life. The plan had been clearly laid. The fulfillment of the details proves that there was a divine plan. Jesus was who he said he was.

Within this Psalm are so many common human experiences. There is the question that goes up to God, “Why have you forsaken me.” The silence of God is something we all have experienced in our lives. When we get to those times, Jesus understands. Jesus understood what it was like to be despised and mocked. He understands physical pain and hurt. He is an intercessor who can understand us.

The amazing thing about Jesus is that while He was God He chose to endure these tough experiences in order to save mankind. This is why we love Jesus. He paid for us. He understands us. We can look to Him as our Savior. That is why I love Him so much.

Reading for Day 27
September 27

Col. 3:18-25
Psalm 22:19-31
Prov. 5:15-21

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Reading for Day 25
September 25

Col. 2:16-23
Psalm 21:1-13
Prov. 5:1-6

NOT RULE KEEPING BUT LOVING THE ONE WHO RULES

Colossians speaks to the tendency within us to shift our focus from the living Christ to rules and regulations. We are very prone to develop and impose rules and from there we judge who is spiritual and who is not. We also grow to believe that our source of spiritual strength and growth comes from our ability to keep the rules. The truth is that we grow when we are nourished by Christ.

“For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God.”

Getting our nourishment from Christ is about a living relationship.

One area that illustrates this truth for me has been this idea of daily Bible reading and devotion. I can so easily move from an attitude where I am seeking God and wanting to know Him better into a kind of “get the reading done so I can feel good about myself”. Now the discipline of personal devotion is a great thing, but it can loose its power when we shift the focus from seeking God to fulfilling our duty. I guess it all comes down to the heart issue of why we are doing what we do. Now this is not to say that we can violate the clearly established boundaries of righteousness if we don’t feel like doing what is right. We just need to remember that we grow not from rule keeping but from learning to love the one who rules.

Reading for Day 26
September 26

Col. 3:1-17
Psalm 22:1-18
Prov. 5:7-14

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Reading for Day 24
September 24

Col. 2:6-15
Psalm 20:1-9
Prov. 4:20-27

I love bleach. Cleaning the kitchen I love to take out the cleanser with bleach and sprinkle it out over the dirty, stained sink. And then like magic before my eyes, the ugly stains fade away and the sink is beautifully clean again.

So what is the solution for the dirty stains in our lives that come as a result of sin? Colossians puts it so well.

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

And the place of cleansing is clearly stated. All of the ugliness of our sin was nailed to the cross and we are forgiven.

God paid so much for us. Sin is that ugly and He loves us that much.

Reading for Day 25
September 25

Col. 2:16-23
Psalm 21:1-13
Prov. 5:1-6

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Reading for Day 23
September 23

Col. 1:24 - Col. 2:5
Psalm 19:1-14
Prov. 4:14-19

Psalm 19 is so fascinating. It starts with the general revelation of God through the creation, verses 1-7. It then goes to the special revelation of God through the Bible, verses 8-11. Lastly it goes on to talk about the personal revelation that comes to us through the work of the Holy Spirit, verses 12-14.

So to apply this Psalm, I will look up into the blue sky and take notice of the beautiful green trees whose leaves are starting to turn color. The more I read about the intricate design of creation the more I marvel at the handiwork of God.

Then I will take time to read the Bible. I want to have my soul converted, to become wise, to rejoice deep within and to have my eyes enlightened. It is truly more valuable than gold.

Lastly, I will meditate on what I read and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of personal application within me. I know that it takes God’s work to help hidden things get rooted out and dealt with.

Lastly, I come to one of my most prayed prayers. A prayer in times of weakness, of temptation, or to start the day off right.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

God reaches out to me in the big picture of creation. He speaks very clearly through His Word. He also speaks so personally to me as I meditate on scripture in His presence. Thank God for these truths.

Reading for Day 24
September 24

Col. 2:6-15
Psalm 20:1-9
Prov. 4:20-27

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Reading for Day 22
September 22

Col. 1:15-23
Psalm 18:37-50
Prov. 4:11-13

Col. 1:3-6 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

Last night in our small group we did as we usually do, divide the men and women for a time of prayer. We shared what our weeks had been like and then naturally went into what concerns we needed others to pray with us about. Sometimes the requests are very specific. Other times they are general conerns; family, finances, health or relationships. There are even those very personal needs that are represented by something like “an unspoken prayer need”. The great thing is that while people share according to their level of comfort, everyone declares they need the prayers of others. There is a unity, a compassion, a concern, a bearing of each others burdens that feels a lot live loving each other.

Paul in the first few verses of Colossians kind of declares the starting point of their fellowship.

We all begin by thanking our Lord Jesus Christ who is the reason we are even together. No one has touched us so deeply, given so much, changed our lives so profoundly and given us hope like Jesus Christ. Our relationship with Christ is the starting point. Someone who loves me, loves you. Someone I love, you love and so that makes us love each other.

I look up to Jesus and across the table at you and can’t help but want to pray for you.

When I hear of your faith – I am inspired. Some of the greatest expressions of faith I hear come from people who are still in the middle of some trial or difficulty. They may still be confused and struggling to understand what God and is doing and why He is allowing something, but they are still holding on in faith. When they begin to share what they are learning I gain new perspectives and in some way, learn right along with them. When they give thanks for what troubles them, I see a peace that passes understanding demonstrated before my eyes. We pray for things to change and the trouble to pass, but we are not discouraged because their faith in God and trust in Him somehow gets showcased more profoundly in the middle of it all.

And then the hope of heaven shows up in our prayers as well. It hurts to see people loose a love one to death. Our hearts hurt and we grieve right with them. But we also experience a fresh and powerful grace because of the hope of heaven.

What Paul writes about many years ago still shows us in my small group. We must be on a good path.

Reading for Day 23
September 23

Col. 1:24 - Col. 2:5
Psalm 19:1-14
Prov. 4:14-19

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Reading for Days 21, 22, 23

September 21

Col. 1:1-14
Psalm 18:16-36
Prov. 4:7-10

September 22

Col. 1:15-23
Psalm 18:37-50
Prov. 4:11-13

September 23

Col. 1:24 - Col. 2:5
Psalm 19:1-14
Prov. 4:14-19

I apologize for dropping the ball yesterday. It was a day that began early and continued until I dropped into bed. It was only after an early morning meeting today that I realized forgetting to post yesterday. The readings for today and tomorrow are posted above. I will have more to say later today.

iTrain30

Reading for Day 20
September 20

Eph. 6:10-20
Psalm 18:1-15
Prov. 4:1-6

One of the great things about fall is the high school football games. A couple of Fridays ago was Robert's first home game. The girls and James and I were excited to watch the game.




The one thing about playing football is that you can't play the game and not expect to get hit. Even the way the players are dressed makes it clear that everyone has to be ready to be tackled. You can't get on the field without the pads and the helmet. It is just part of the plan. It is amazing to watch the football players take hit after hit and get up and keep playing. They can do this because they have the mindset to get ready for the hit. They have gone through the conditioning and they are wearing the right equipment.

Paul writes in Ephesians 6 that we are all on the team and we need to get ready for the game. Only this is more than a game, it is a war. And so he leads out with "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." He prepares our mindset by telling us in advance that we are going to have to get ready for the hits from the devil. He tells us to be strong, get conditioned and be ready for the struggle. Lastly, he tells us to put on the uniform, the armor of God.

Sometimes, I forget that life is not a picnic but rather a battleground. We can make it if we can be "strong in the Lord" and in the "power of His might". We are not left alone to fend for ourselves. Christ lends us His power and strength. We can survive and win the challenges because of who stands with us.

Reading for Day 21
September 21

Col. 1:1-14
Psalm 18:16-36
Prov. 4:7-10

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Reading for Day 19
September 19

Eph. 6:1-9
Psalm 17:1-15
Prov. 3:33-35

Where do we go when we are stuck in the lonely spot of being unjustly criticized and condemned? We may be moved by our emotions in the wrong directions of unhealthy talk or even vengeance. David as he models so often in the Psalm goes to God. God knows the truth. There is nothing hidden from Him. One of the greatest things David shows us is honesty and transparency in the presence of God. In verse one David talks about being honest with himself in the presence of God.

“Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.”

Sorting through the expressed falsehoods and accusations that go with this kind of experience is tough and yet vital. David continues with

“You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing amiss, for I am determined not to sin in what I say.”

What criticisms are true, where did I go wrong, what do I need to correct and what are untruths. To honestly evaluate things is tough. It is also an effort to not allow the lies to stick inside of us. Where do we go for justice? Who can be our advocate? Who knows the truth? David processes these things in the only place of real justice, God’s presence. And there he gains strength as he requests to be guarded like the apple of God's eye. Now it seems a bit presumptuous to ask to be the apple of God’s eye. And yet that is a wonderful truth that we need to claim. We are precious to God. We do matter to Him. We are the apple of His eye. And this can be very strengthening when we are being attacked. Our enemies see no value in us. David boldly asks to be guarded as the apple of God’s eye. David finds refuge from the chaos of all of this in the shadow of God’s wings. When the rest of the world misjudges us we can be at peace in the shadow of God’s wings. When you think of it, God’s opinion of the situation and us matters more than any other. To sense His favor and vindication can give us grace to respond supernaturally. The most vital relationship we have is our relationship to God.

Reading for Day 20
September 20

Eph. 6:10-20
Psalm 18:1-15
Prov. 4:1-6

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Reading for Day 18
September 18

Eph. 5:22-33
Psalm 16:1-11
Prov. 3:27-32

As I read Ephesians today I am struck by the active role God plays in the church and in our lives subsequently. This passage gives us amazing insight into the heart of God regarding the church. I don't read that Christ scolds the church, tolerates the church, is disappointed by the church. What I do read is that Christ loved the Church. He gave Himself for her so that He could sanctify and cleanse her. Christ is actively working to remove any spot or wrinkle so that we can be presented holy and without blemish. So God is working in us. He takes great interest in His Church. He works to purify and cleanse the church - admittedly a big and ongoing job. But because of His love for the Church, He is willing to do this. I also read that the Lord nourishes and cherishes the church. He considers us part of His body and flesh and bones. What a commitment to the church. Sometimes we can grow the believe that church is all about what we are doing and we pray for God to bless it. Really, it is more about what God is doing.

• So Christ loves the Church.
• Christ is not turned away by the spots and wrinkles. These blemishes do not cause Him to turn away. They actually move Him to action. He is very committed to making us presentable.
• Christ nourishes - or gives us what we need to grow.
• We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

We are in a dynamic and hope-filled relationship with Christ. He loves His Church. We can expect God to be at work our of His great love and that is great news.

Reading for Day 19
September 19

Eph. 6:1-9
Psalm 17:1-15
Prov. 3:33-35

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Reading for Day 17
September 17

Eph. 5:1-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Prov. 3:21-26

This past week in our small groups we studied about the Bible. One of the things that proves that God inspired the writing of scripture is the "internal consistency" of the Bible. As we have been reading small portions from the New Testament, the Psalms and Proverbs we have had a chance to see how consistent the message of the Bible really is.

In Psalms we hear about dwelling in the God's holy hill. In Ephesians we are instructed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. God wants a relationship with us. Proverbs echo's the call to right living that is found in both Psalms and Ephesians. Sometimes we overlook the fact that these same themes are repeated with great consistency through the Bible. The reason for this, God Himself wrote the Bible. He used different men at different times in different circumstances and still the major themes are consistent. We always meet a God committed to righteousness. A God who reaches out to mankind with compassion. This is great stuff. We can have confidence when we read.

Reading for Day 18
September 18

Eph. 5:22-33
Psalm 16:1-11
Prov. 3:27-32

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Reading for Day 16
September 16

Eph. 4:17-32
Psalm 14:1-7
Prov. 3:19-20

There is something great about buying and wearing a new shirt. Old shirts get stained, torn, nubby, faded and just not so good. I like the look and feel of a new shirt. I love this passage in Ephesians. To think that it is possible to PUT OFF THE OLD MAN and to PUT ON THE NEW MAN is just amazing. This passage is one of the most practical, convicting and hope-filled sections of scripture. We don't have to be dominated by the old nature. The lusts of our flesh that lead us wrong decisions. There are several simple and yet life changing commands.

• Stop the lying and speak the truth.
• Be angry and do not sin. Anger does not have to dominate us.
• Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. Cindy and I agreed when we got married that we would never go to sleep mad at each other. By God's grace, we have been blessed by this simple decision. No grudge holding or silent treatment that lasts for days. Simple accounting, everything goes back to zero everyday. Grace pours out and covers it all. I know this is God's work and rejoice in His gift.
• No stealing, but hard work. Not getting what we did not earn but the goal of earning enough to give. What a change in focus. Transformed from takers to givers.
  
• No corrupt communication. This is kind of a blanket statement that overcomes any legalistic list of words not to say. The goal is to let words be about building up not bringing down.
• Get rid of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, mean spirited words and malice.
• Be all about kindness and forgiving. We are not perfect and from time to time sparks will fly. While our old man wants to fight, and hold on to hurt and anger, God leads us to a great door of freedom and renewed fellowship. A simple word with big effects - forgive. Just like Christ has forgiven us. None of this is easy, but what a git to have the hope of living above the fray.

One of the most stirring verses is 30, "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God". God wants great things for us. When we live lessor lives than what He wants to give us, we loose and He is grieved for us. God has a profound sadness for us when we don't take advantage of the NEW MAN.

I remember that there came a time in my life when one of the greatest motivations was to please my parents. To look in their eyes and see they were disappointed in me hurt. And so today, I confess where I have gone wrong and ask God to give me His supernatural strength to put on this NEW MAN.

And so it serves us well to ask the Holy Spirit each day if there is something that grieved Him and make it right and ask for His help.

Reading for Day 17

September 17

Eph. 5:1-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Prov. 3:21-26

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Reading for Day 14

September 14

Eph. 3:14-20
Psalm 12:1-8
Prov. 3:13-15

Ephesians 3:20-21 is one my most often recited verses. I often pray this verse back to God as I dream for our Church. I dream of the building filled all the way to the balcony. If I was going to dream big, I would ask for God to use us to reach people with the gospel and then see the chain of evangelism reach within their families and friends. I have seen God do this recently in a family who is in our church. My big dream is that this story would be repeated hundreds of times. If I dream big about my family, I pray that my children would walk close to the Lord and serve Him great passion and carry the message into the next generation. And so I will go to bed with this verse on my mind and will probably recite it before I get out of bed tomorrow morning. He is a God who is that powerful.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

"Lord come and manifest your presence among us. Do your work through us. Let us be your church. Let us raise up a godly generation to keep the message of your great love and wonderful salvation going."

Reading for Day 15

September 15

Eph. 4:1-16
Psalm 13:1-6
Prov. 3:16-18

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Reading for Day 13

September 13

Eph. 3:1-13
Psalm 11:1-7
Prov. 3:11-12

Do you ever feel like up is down and down is up in our world? The morality that our culture once acknowledged seems to be getting challenged at every turn. It very much feels like foundational truths are collapsing. When we talk about the Biblical truths that guides our lives we seem out of touch and old fashioned. It is easy to feel intimidated because many times we are in the minority. Psalm 11 reassures us that the Lord still rules from heaven, from His holy Temple. He is still in charge and His ways are right.

The tragedy is that the further our culture gets from the truth that God has established, the more pain, suffering and desperation will be experienced in our world. This is a great opening for us to be the light in the darkness. Our challenge is to be this light with grace and love.

Reading for Day 14

September 14

Eph. 3:14-20
Psalm 12:1-8
Prov. 3:13-15

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Reading for Day 12

September 12

Eph. 2:11-22
Psalm 10:16-18
Prov. 3:9-10

Hearing from the Lord is a funny thing. Sometimes you read and it comes so easily. The words on the page of your Bible seem to go bold and italics all at the same time. The word captures your thoughts, heart and spirit in a flash. Other times you read and while the power of the word is not diminished, there is not a great moment of inspiration. You may have had one of those times since starting our iTrain exercise. Today, I kind of had one of those moments. My greatest moment of inspiration really came with yesterday's reading and it is still has me. So I will start there.

Ephesians 2 starts with one of the greatest descriptions of human beings. We are either dead or alive. Jesus made us ALIVE. We were dead in trespasses and sins, trapped in the sinful thoughts and actions and having a spirit of disobedience. And then we met the grace of God. God who is rich in mercy and motivated by His great love saved us. FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED. And because of love and mercy and grace we sit together with Christ Jesus. Jesus now shows us the "exceeding riches of His grace". We are overwhelmed by His kindness. Now that is something to celebrate.

I pray that we will be aware of His kindness today.

Reading for day 13
September 13

Eph. 3:1-13
Psalm 11:1-7
Prov. 3:11-12

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Reading for Day 11
September 11

Eph. 2:1-10
Psalm 10:1-15
Prov. 3:7-8

It is September 11. This is a day that we are reminded that we live in a world of evil. Psalm 10 talks about the burden of evil that every generation since the fall has had to deal with. We are no exception. This Psalm begins with "Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?" When evil prevails we struggle. And then in verse 14 the writer takes a turn in his thoughts. He remembers that in fact God has seen and is active against evil. "But You have seen, for You, observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand." God is not aloof and uninterested. He does see and observes trouble and grief and He cares.

Watching the coverage of the memorial ceremonies today, the camera picked up a mother hugging her son who would have been in his early teens. This boy lost a loved one when he was very young. Today as he remembered, the tears would not stop flowing as he held on to his mother and wiped the tears that would not stop. God saw that also. I am not certain, but assume that this boy most likely lost his father. This Psalm goes on to declare that God is a helper of the fatherless. Today God is watching and today, God is the helper we need. I thank God that He has limited the onslaught of evil since September 11, 2001. There have not been other September 11 days for our nation. This is evidence of the goodness of God to hold back evil. I pray for our President, the Vice-President, Cabinet, our military and other leaders of our nation. They carry bigger burdens for us than we often call to mind. Thank God for his blessing America.

Reading for Day 12

September 12

Eph. 2:11-22
Psalm 10:16-18
Prov. 3:9-10

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Reading for Day 10

September 10

Eph. 1:15-23
Psalm 9:13-20
Prov. 3:1-6

Sometimes our prayers for people can be shallow. We often use the phrase, “and bless” so and so. Our prayers for each other can be taken up with important, but kind of temporal requests for money, health, relationship problems and the like. It is so interesting to read exactly how Paul prayed for these saints in Ephesus. These are not the run of the mill prayer topics. They run deep – here are some of them.

Paul gives thanks and then asks for the following:

• That they would have the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
• That they eyes of their understanding would be enlightened.
• That they would know what is the hope of His calling.
• That they would know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance as saints.
• That they would know the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe. This is the power that raised Jesus at the resurrection and then elevated Him to the right hand of the Father above all principality and power and might and dominion and above every name in this age and in the ages to come.
• This power is in Christ and the focus of Christ is the Church. We are the Church and we are His body.

Now today I am going to pray this prayer for you and our Church. How about if you we all pray for our spouses, children this way. Pick out a few people in church and pray this prayer for them. Then lets all pray for our Church. This is the key to our Church being all God would want us to be.

Dear God, I thank you for my wife and children, my church family. Now God I pray that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened. What a great thing this kind of supernatural enlightening would be for my kids and for all of us. I pray that we would all be more aware of the hope of Your calling. Your calling is not a burden, but it is the source of our great hope. God help us all to know and remember that we have been adopted into Your family and ours are riches of glory – an inheritance that is amazing. God help us to have a greater awareness of Your power in our lives and in our Church. Amen.

Reading for Day 11

September 11

Eph. 2:1-10
Psalm 10:1-15
Prov. 3:7-8