The Power of the Thought

The Power of the thought struck me like a lightening bolt. It shook me as I suddenly realized that it was possible… completely within our grasp. The thought was so simple and yet so profound, “If we prayed and spoke directly to God, he would hear us and answer and allow us to understand his great love.”

Now I know that for some old timers, that know much about the way it used to be, that thought doesn’t really take such a profound hold on the heart. And yet maybe it should. Maybe they even need to be reminded of what God can actually do.

That thought is found in Ephesians 3:14 – 21 where Paul prays for this congregation in Ephesus.

A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul has prayed for these people, that they would discover a real “treasure” that would transform their lives. The treasure is that they, being rooted and established in love, may have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. They know something of love – but have yet to discover the Love of Christ and all of its power.

My thoughts flash back to a scene in a Hollywood movie where some people discover a cave that is filled with millions and millions of jewels, gold and unlimited treasure. Their discovery made it theirs. The look on each face as the camera pans the character’s reactions would well describe the possibilities of what we can “see” by our faith in Jesus. Only it is a very different treasure.

If we could simply have our eyes open to the wonderful fact that Jesus is there and that he represents the great love of God towards us – what a difference that would make. What could happen to our lives with this thought – could change the world.

The original word in Greek word is translated as “grasp”(NIV) and “comprehend” (KJV) is “katalambano” (kat-al-am-ban'-o) which also has a meaning to “seize, possess”, etc. (literally or figuratively).

The Bible translators for the KJV also use the English words, “apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over) take” to show what this word means to us.
Paul has not only prayed that they would grasp or comprehend this thought – but really that they would “seize or possess” it once they discovered it.

Picture it for yourself- you have stumbled into a great cavern filled with the greatest “treasures” spiritually that the world has ever known. And in this room there are treasures that people at your place of work, in your circle of friends & acquaintances and perhaps even in your church – have never even dreamed about. These people around you need some of these “treasures” right now – but do not know where to get it. You have discovered it! What will you do with it?

Give it away! Give it away – as quick as you can.

Personal Illustration:
There is a young man in my world that has suffered with a severe headache for over a week now. There is no relief and he is frightened of even worse things to come. One of his friends has died of a brain tumor. This young man’s greatest need is to discover healing for his life by the love of Jesus and also a physical healing. Whatever is causing the headache needs to be removed – and I believe through prayer this will happen.

The great treasure of the Love of Jesus, that I personally have discovered, is something I intend to share with him. This love of God will keep me praying for him often this week until I hear that there has been a change. If there is no change I will continue to pray. I will then act on this prayer with all the love that I have been given and meet with him. Something is about to happen for Ernie.

If Jesus walked into your room today and you sensed in a split second all of his love – what might happen to you from that minute on? I can guarantee you that’s what happens when Jesus comes along any day. He changes everything. Nothing is the same after he comes into a room and into a life.

The Power of that thought has struck me. This week will be amazing. I am about to see something so amazing that I wouldn’t believe it even if someone told me about it….
What about you? Have you met Jesus personally yet? Oh I know that you may know about him – but have you had him walk into your life yet? Watch out something is about to happen.

Why not ask him to do that today?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~