Key Verse: Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

There was a very moving reading from Ephesians 6 during the funeral service of the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher (click here to hear her granddaughter read this most powerful Scripture). “Spiritual Warfare” is real, and all of us need desperately to apply these truths to our daily lives. Having assimilated (made part of ourselves) these powerful facts, let us then be channels of God’s power to win battles, and eventually the war, by preparing for battle every morning, or throughout the day as we make quality time available, in which we concentrate on God! How do we do this? “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION!” (Ephesians 6:18).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You modelled for me “all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Your intensity in prayer on the night of Your arrest, when Your disciples fell asleep again and again, is truly my example of “being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication!” O, how far short of that I fall! The spiritual song I sing and pray with great fervency is as follows, “O to be like thee, blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness. Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.” Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My son-in-law, who preaches in the Arabic language all over the world on several satellite channels, Rev. Nizar Shaheen, has said to me over and over, “Be strong Dad!” Norma-Jean, if she is in hearing range, always adds the words of Ephesians 6: “…in the Lord and in the power of HIS MIGHT!” (verse 10). Then she preaches a little bit for my benefit. I need lots of reminders that it is only “HIS MIGHT” that makes me strong. It’s my job to make sure that I have the whole armour of God in place over my head, my heart, and my will. When I’m properly dressed for battle, then I’m absolutely confident that God is giving me “the power of His might.” We can wield “the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” with devastating effect against the lords of the underworld and the “wiles of the devil.” The hosts of the wicked one are no match! We are more than conquerors!!! (Romans 8:37).

Following the reading of this final chapter of Ephesians, and before we begin 1 Chronicles tomorrow, I would like you to join me in reading the story of the final meeting of Paul with the elders of the Ephesian Church (Acts 20:16-38). As I read this, I, too, am weeping freely as they did. I’m praying fervently for all who read my blogs!

Yours for becoming stronger each day “in the Lord and in the power of His might!” Amen!!!

David