Signs and Wonders

SIGNS AND WONDERS

"God delivers and rescues, He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth." (Dan 6:27)

"Now to Him who by the Power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph 3:20-21)

Prayer is not an indifferent or a small thing. It is not a sweet little privilege. It is a great prerogative, far-reaching in its effects. Failure to pray entails losses far beyond the person who neglects it. Prayer is not a mere episode of the Christian Life. Rather the Whole Life is a Preparation for and the Result of Prayer. In its condition, Prayer is the sum of religion.

Faith is but a channel of Prayer. Faith gives it wings and swiftness. Prayer is the lungs through which Holiness breathes.

Prayer is not only the Language of Spiritual Life, but makes its very Essence and Forms its Real Character. (Edward M. Bounds, "The Possibilities of Prayer")

Paul wrote Ephesians while in prison at Rome. He wants to strengthen them in the Faith of Christ and to give exalted views of the Love of God, and of the dignity and excellence of Christ, fortifying their minds against the scandal of the Cross. He tells them they were Saved by Grace and they now have equal privileges with the Jews. He encourages them to Persevere in their Christian Calling, urging them to Walk in a manner becoming their profession....They have Special Duties.......

The apostle asks for Spiritual Blessings, which are the best Blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner person; strength for the soul; the strength of Faith to serve God and to do our duty. If the Law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the Love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where His Spirit Dwells, there He Dwells.

How Powerfully the apostle speaks of the Love of Christ!

The breadth shows its extent to All nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory.

Those who receive Grace for Grace from Christ' fullness, may be said to be Filled with the Fullness of God.

It is proper always to end prayers with praises. Let us expect more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the Conversion of sinners and the comfort of Believers, will be to His Glory, for ever and ever. (Eph 3:13-21, Matthew Henry)

Dear God, how can we understand that which is beyond imagination? How can we Know that which surpasses Knowledge? Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to show us the Way of Love. Christ Jesus, how can we even ask for Your Love after the way we have turned from You? Yet, You have Loved us in Ways we cannot imagine.....We are contained in the boundaries of Love...We will never find the outermost limits of Your Love for us. Your Love is immeasurable, inexhaustible, inescapable, irrepressible, insatiable, irrational.....O Lord, help us in our deepest desire to Know Your Love through personal Experience. Thank You, for Such Love! Come, Holy Spirit this day and fill us with Your unlimited Resources until we are fully Focused on Love. Thank You, Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen.

"Higher than the highest heavens, Deeper than the deepest sea, Wider than I can ever imagine, Is Your great Love for me, Your great Love for me." (1997, Morris Chapman)