Home DAILY READING
WEEK OF JUNE 16-22:
The following Bible reading and devotional is written by Drew Loomis, student at Ohio Christian University is interning with lead pastor Tim McGinnnis throughout the summer.
Sunday June 16th
The Miracle of the Mystery
Ephesians 1
Focus Passage: Ephesians 1:17-21
Monday June 17th
I am seated with Christ
Ephesians 2
Focus Passages: Ephesians 1:20-23, Ephesians 2:6,
Tuesday June 18th
The Power Revealed
Ephesians 3
Focus Passage: Ephesians 3:9-10
Wednesday June 19th
The way of the Church
Ephesians 4
Focus Passages: Ephesians 4:17-24
Thursday June 20th
Be Careful ‘how’ You walk
Ephesians 5
Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:22, 25, 33
Friday June 21st
After all this: Stand Firm
Ephesians 6
Focus Passage: Ephesians 6:10-17
Saturday June 22nd
What Love is This
1st John 4:7-21
Focus Passage: 1st John 4:17
A Word from Drew...
Stop Being Strong
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
You know, the hardest thing about this scripture is the word His. God has shown us His power and might time after time in our lifetime, and yet it seems to be so hard to simply be strong with His Might. A lot of Pastor’s might say something to the effect of, “We have a problem because we ‘want’ to try and be strong in our own strength.” But you know, I don’t so much think it’s a problem of us wanting to. Rather, I think it’s a matter of us not understanding how not to. Let’s look at a verse that ties right into this. Psalms 37:39 says,
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.”
Again, this verse says that He is their strength in time of trouble. We have grown up often hearing people tell us to Be Strong! Whether it was during an emotional crisis or a sporting event, parents and friends have told us that when we needed that little extra push to keep us going. But the thing is, is that over and over the Lord says that ‘He’ is our strength. If He is our strength, is it our strength that propels us through tough times? If He is our strength, should we be focused on our might? But in fact, if He is our strength, this is a matter of God’s Grace ‘wanting’ to flow. He wants us to give up and give it to Him.
So how are we supposed to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might?” By recognizing that God wants us, His children, to rest and allow His Grace to be our might. We don’t understand this because when hardship comes, we think WE must do something about it. It’s been driven into us, and to muster up the will power to overcome the Enemy or change a situation is something that is usually praised. But God’s Grace wants to be the Victor. Grace is calling out and saying, “Just allow me to be your strength.” But unless you know and understand that there is someone else who wants to win your battles, You will try and win them every time.
So to be strong, you have to stop trying to be strong. To stand in might, you must stop trying to muster up might. God certainly calls us to be strong, but He says to “be strong in His might.” So the cry of the Lords heart is not to be strong. But He is telling each and every one of us today,
Let me be strong. And when you allow Me to be strong, YOU WILL BE STRONG.
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