Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

June 9
Monday


GENEROUS GOD

READ:
Ephesians 3:14-21
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[God] is able to do
exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask
or think.
__Ephesians 3:20
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When our family lived in Chicago several years ago, we enjoyed many benefits. Near the top of my list were the amazing restaurants that seemed to try to outdo each other, not only in great cuisine but also in portion sizes. At one Italian eatery, my wife and I would order a half portion of our favorite pasta dish and still have enough to bring home for dinner the next night! The generous portions made us feel like we were at Grandma's house when she poured on the love through her cooking.

I also feel an outpouring of love when I read that my heavenly Father has lavished on us the riches of His grace (Eph 1:7-8) and that He is able to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (3:20). I'm so grateful that our God is not a stingy God who begrudgingly dishes out His blessings in small portions. Rather, He is the God who pours out forgiveness for the prodigal (Luke 15), and He daily crowns us "with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Ps. 103:4).

At times we think God hasn't provided for us as we would like. But if He never did anything more than forgive our sins and guarantee heaven for us, he has already been abundantly generous! so today, let's rejoice in our generous God.

__Joe Stowell

``````````````````Lord, remind me often that you have been exceedingly``````````````````
````````````````````generous to me. Help me to extend that generosity``````````````````
``````````````````````of spirit toward those around me, so that they````````````````````
````````````````````````may know who You are and rejoice in You.``````````````````````
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Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

************************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 3:14-21************************

14 For this reason I bow
my knees to the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 from whom the whole
family in heaven and earth
is named, 16 that he would
grant you, according to the
riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with might
through His Spirit in the
inner man, 17 that Christ
may dwell in your hearts
through faith; that you,
being rooted and grounded
in love, 18 may be able to
comprehend with all the
saints what is the width
and length and depth and
height__ 19 to know the
love of Christ which passes
knowledge; that you may
be filled with all the
fullness of God.

20 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, 21 to Him be glory in the
church by Christ Jesus to
all generations, forever and
ever. Amen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today's reading addresses the wellspring of spiritual power in the
Christian life. Certainly, human willpower or adopting a positive
mental attitude is not the source of this spiritual power. Instead,
the apostle Paul points out to the reality of the indwelling Christ.
But the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ alone does not change
the believer's life. Choosing to yield to the Spirit's promptings and
meditating of God's Word give the believer power for living. An
attitude of faith and expectation in prayer access vast resources
available in God, "who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us"
(Eph. 3:20