Heavenly Father, You are magnificent and worthy of all honor, glory, praise and power. You left Your heavenly throne to come be with us and save us—Jesus walking this earth, enduring the human experience, never sinning, but rather showing humanity how to live.
We are to love each other, experience joy in community, and live in peace with each other. We are to be patient and bear each other’s burdens. We are to be good and kind with one another, no matter whether we know each other, nor whether we agree or disagree. We are to walk faithfully with one another, being gentle in our dealings. All of this takes self-control, setting our own interests aside for the good of another. You want us to put on the mindset of Jesus, not expecting others to serve us but to serve.
Lord, I have trouble doing this most of the time. I need to rely heavily on Your Word and what Jesus said before He was taken up to His heavenly throne. “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” That’s The Holy Spirit living in me. I’m a walking temple of Jesus.
Your power remains in me. Your strength and wisdom reside in me. I need to stand firm and confidently in these truths. You’ve shown me and told me how I can access them. It’s keeping my eyes squarely on You, not my troubles or challenges, but You. I know that You’ve already defeated everything bad and evil in this world, even death.
Ephesians 6:10 to 18 lays it out beautifully. And it begins “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Your Word then goes on to describe every piece of the armor of God that I have at my disposal and can use.
Keeping my eyes squarely on You takes self-control—work. I need to spend time with You. I need to be refreshed by The Holy Spirit, to pray and to commune with other believers, who are Your instruments of strength and vessels of mercy.
I have a role to play; it doesn’t stop there. I’m to be an instrument of strength and vessel of mercy for another. I’m to share the good news You’ve allowed me to experience with others. Nothing fancy, just telling others how You’ve worked in my life. Nobody can refute that.
In the Ever Present and Empowering Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
