“Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT)
”So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24 NKJV)
“My dear friends, I pray that you will remain strong and not be discouraged or ashamed by all that I suffer on your behalf, for it is for your glory. So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God! Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!” (Ephesians 3:13-21 TPT)
Step 1: Probe the prayer under the light of the Holy Spirit.
Paul puts on the brakes for a moment in verse 20 in order to give us an important reminder before jamming the gas pedal right back to the floor (beware of whiplash)…
…Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
STOP THE CAR! Pull over. Now, open the window and throw out any doubt that is riding along. Doubt is a lousy passenger. It will bring all kinds of garbage into your vehicle and trash your car from front to back. Doubt is a dangerous passenger. It will steal you blind! Kick it out! Don’t even think about giving it a ride. “NEVER DOUBT!”
The Bible is filled with references to doubt, unbelief, and lack of faith. Unbelief is easily recognized and typically addressed by the one experiencing it. Believers want to believe! Lack of faith takes care of itself as the one involved begins to get into the Word and exercise what little faith is present. As faith grows the lack of faith disappears. Remember, it only takes a mustard seed of faith to move a mountain. In my opinion, doubt is the most dangerous because it is so common. Since doubt occurs in my head (faith is a matter of the heart) it seems so “normal” that it is downplayed and even accepted. You know, everyone doubts. It’s natural. After all, I am “only human.” NOT! As a disciple of Jesus I am one with Christ. That means that I am much more than “only human.” Paul put it this way…
…”Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 GNT)
This verse could be written, “I am a new species of being that never before existed.”
My mind is still in need of renewal. My body still possesses a remnant of sin. However, my spirit is brand new. I wasn’t just cleaned up or reformed when I became one with Christ. I wasn’t just refurbished, remodeled, renovated, or restored. I was made brand new (as though I never existed before that moment). Regardless of the flawed witness of my soul (mind) or body (flesh), I am already righteous. Want to make every religious hair on the back of your neck stand up? Then read and take literally what has been written…
…”For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 WBT)
I am no longer “only human,” I have already been made (past tense) the righteousness of God. Did you catch that? I am ALREADY righteous (even when I look and smell just the opposite). I don’t just have the ability in Christ to live righteously, I am righteous. The “righteousness of God” is my true identity. That is why Paul is able to pray such an extreme prayer on my behalf. Look at another translation…
“Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 GNT)
I AM RIGHTEOUS!
This union with Christ removed the “old man” (the pre-salvation Eric) and replaced it with the “new man” (the post-salvation newly created Eric). In my newly created spirit I already possess everything that Paul is praying and more. My mind tries to overwhelm me with doubt. My body screams out in opposition to these truths. However, my spirit has received the revelation and expects it to renew my mind and bring life to my body.
I am not “only human” any more. I am a “Kingdom – Natural son of God. I am a partaker of the divine nature. In Christ, I am worthy to receive all that my Heavenly Father desires to give me.
“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4 NLT)
Doubt has no place in me. When I recognize even a hint of doubt I immediately slam on the brakes, pull off the road, toss it to the curb, and put the pedal to the medal leaving it in my dust. By dealing decisively with doubt you are positioned for “God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this.” God is an over achiever. Everything that he does is beyond my ability to fully grasp. With him there is always more than enough.
What is your greatest need? God is able to meet it with plenty left over to share with others in need. In Christ, you are worthy to receive!
What is your wildest dream? God is able to do far more than you can imagine. In Christ, you are worthy to receive!
Can you say, “In Christ I am worthy to receive?” If not, please ask the Holy Spirit to give you a clear revelation of just who you are, and what you possess, in Christ. What he reveals will shock you and purge you of years of religious bondage.
I have run into very few believers that doubt God’s ability. No matter what topic we are talking about, when I ask if God is “able” there is no hesitation to answer a resounding, “Yes, no doubt!” However, when I ask if he is “willing,” things get dicey.
Let’s settle this once and for all with the Word of God…
“Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” (Matthew 8:1-3 NLT)
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11:23 NKJV)
“He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 BSB)
I could fill page after page with Scripture assuring me that God is not only able to do miraculous things on my behalf, but he is also willing to do them. Paul would never have written down this prayer (and remember it was actually the Holy Spirit inspiring the prayer) if God was not WILLING to do it (I hope you will take time to search the Scriptures for yourself until you become fully persuaded that God is both able and willing).
Allow me to give you a statement that I recommend you repeat over and over until you get it deep within your subconscious (I am already doing this). I further recommend that you ask the Holy Spirit to burn this life changing Truth into your innermost being (he has done it for me, and if he will do it for me he will certainly do it for you). Ready, set, go…
…My Heavenly Father is not only able, He is willing!
Go ahead, say it out loud…
…My Heavenly Father is not only able, He is willing!
Say it again, only louder (don’t worry about looking silly or feeling foolish)…
…My Heavenly Father is not only able, He is willing!
Now speak out loud…
…In Christ, I am worthy to receive it!
Louder (ignore your mind and body and speak from your spirit)…
…In Christ, I am worthy to receive it!
One more time (C’mon, do it. What have you got to lose?)…
…In Christ, I am worthy to receive it!
Go to a mirror, point a finger at yourself, and speak the following to yourself with boldness (go ahead, give it a try)…
…You, yes I am talking to you. Listen up! Your Heavenly Father is not only able, HE IS WILLING! In Christ, you are a brand new person worthy to receive everything your Daddy has for you!
In many of the Psalms David talked to himself in order to change the way he was thinking and encourage himself in the Lord (if it works for David it will work for you and me).
The Creator of the universe is my Daddy (Abba). He loves me. He longs to bless me in every way conceivable. He loves to fulfill my every desire as I spend time delighting in him. He thinks about me continually and enjoys every minute we spend together. How can I help but love such a phenomenal Father?
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37:4 NLT)
“How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are! If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17-18 GWT)
Read it again…
…Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
I am definitely energized!
Now, say one more time…
…My Heavenly Father is not only able, He is willing! In Christ, I am worthy to receive!
Take to heart…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 444: Praying With Paul – Ephesians 3:13-21 Part 9