True Transformation
Ephesians 6:10 (AMP)
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
One of the things I love about the disciples is that through their experiences I am encouraged and not intimidated. I so identify with some of their weaknesses and seeing how they turned out to be great men of God, then I am encouraged. A good example is when Jesus took the disciples to the garden to pray with him just before he was arrested to be crucified in Matthew 26. The disciples were supposed to pray with Jesus because his hour had come and he needed strength but instead we see them falling asleep, not once but three times. I am sure you identify with that.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)
9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My loving kindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”
That’s a paradox right there that many of us miss completely. To be strong in God I have to embrace and admit my weaknesses in order to embrace his strength through me.
Several times, Paul exhorts us to be strong in the Lord, but how do we do that?
Ephesians 6: 10-11 (AMP)
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
God has given us an armor that ensures that we remain strong in Him. As long as we put on this armor then we are strong in Him. This armor is not your regular kind of armor
Ephesians 6: 14-16 (AMP)
14 So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING [b]TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), 15 and having [c]strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] [d]shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
This needs another week or two of devotions to break this down so we fully understand what it means on a personal level….. In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
