Thought for the day
A 60-year-old couple was celebrating their 40th year of marriage. During the celebration, a genie appeared and said, "Because you have been such a loving couple all those years, I would like to give you each one wish.
"The wife quickly chimed in, "I want to travel around the world." The genie waved his arms and, POOF!, she had the tickets in her hand.
Next, it was the husband's turn. He paused for a moment, then said shyly, "Well, I'd like to have a wife 30 years younger than me."
The genie waved his arms and, POOF!, he was 90 years old.
We seem to be fascinated by stories of magic genies granting wishes (why is it usually three wishes?). Which of us hasn't sat and wondered at some point in time, "If a genie granted me three wishes, what would I wish for?
"God is not, as some imagine Him, a magic genie waiting at our beck and call to give us everything we ask for (see James 4:3). But there is certainly that level of power and ability at His disposal. Listen to these words of Paul:
"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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)
God is able to do more than I ask of Him. That's pretty amazing, considering that I have some pretty difficult requests. Furthermore (and this is really mind-boggling), God is able to do more than I can even imagine! I don't know about you, but I can imagine quite a bit. Yet, Paul assures us that God is not only able to do all that we ask or imagine -- he is able to do more, immeasurably more!
When things in life are beyond my control, I find comfort in knowing that God has such power -- not the power of an imaginary genie but the power of a living awesome Father. Sometimes we offer to pray for others saying, "It's the least I can do." How wrong we are. Considering the power of God, it's the most we can do!
Verses
Matthew 21:21
Jesus said: "Believe me, if you trust and do not falter, not only will you do what I did to the fig tree, but if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' even that will happen.
Colossians 2:10
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
John 15:7
If, on the contrary, you keep in fellowship with me, and my sayings, being continually the subject of your meditation, become your guide and inspiration, then you shall through prayer obtain an enlarging fruitfulness, for whatsoever desires born of such inspiration you bring to the Father, shall be granted.
Romans 8:32
Why, He did not withhold His own Son, but delivered Him up to death on behalf of us all; how then can He fail to give us all things freely along with Him who is His supreme gift?
Prayer
Father, You have placed authority figures in our lives from birth to our final days on earth. Some bless us greatly while others challenge us fiercely. In areas where You have given us the privilege of being an authority figure may we be responsible role models, for we know it is not just the talk that people hear, but the walk that people see. As each of us are called to submit to our family, spiritual, employee, and governmental leaders may we do so with cheerfulness so that we are a blessing rather than a grievous burden. But when those to whom we submit conflict with our supreme authority we pray for conviction and courage to stand for righteousness in obedience to Your commands. We pray for this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, amen.
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