For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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.

Ephesians 3:14-21

When adversity and hardship come into our lives, God must empower us from within or we will be unable to withstand the pressures from the outside. We can expect to get help from loved ones and Christian friends, but our internal strength comes from God. Jesus, the Spirit, and God within us, is the only way to keep us from crumpling under pressure.

The Holy Spirit works to strengthen us and renew our minds as we read the Bible and pray. If we neglect the Scriptures, seldom talk with the LORD, and stop fellowshipping with other believers, we will grow weak and vulnerable. Then we will be unable to withstand the pressures or temptation or trouble.

Ask the LORD to develop your own inner strength, so that when life’s blows and burdens press upon us we will not cave in.

The power of Christ within you is greater

than the pressure of troubles around you.

Our Daily Bread – July 8, 2004