Finally…

Today’s Verse:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ~Ephesians 6:10

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The word “finally” is used when giving a final and closing word of counsel at the end of a message, sermon, or speech. It is a finishing touch and a closing word of encouragement. Our devotion this morning is Paul’s encouragement for a New Year.

We see the exclusive audience.

“Finally, my brethren….” This was written to the believers at the church of Ephesus. It was written to believers who experienced the pain and defeat in spiritual warfare. These were believers he loved and did not want to see fail. This message is written to Christians. We are in the same spiritual war, battling the same spiritual enemies. We are members of a local, New Testament church that is commanded to be united in spirit and commitment. Paul did not write this to unbelievers, but believers. Let’s be on the same page as our Lord. Let’s decide to start the New Year the same. Let’s decide to have God’s hand of blessing on our lives in 2020.

We see emphatic advice.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord….” Paul gave a simple, but powerful, piece of advice. Be strong in the Lord! In spite of the failures of the past, be strong in the Lord! In spite of our fears of overwhelming odds against us, be strong in the Lord! In spite of inadequacies and shortfalls, be strong in the Lord! We cannot be strong in ourselves: without Him, we can do nothing. How is it that we can be strong in the Lord? We can be strong in the Lord through the permeation of the Spirit. Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, “Be filled with the Spirit.” We can be strong in the Lord through the Spirit’s protection. In Ephesians 6:11-17, we are commanded to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The armor of God is the Spirit’s protection. We can be strong in the Lord through the Spirit in prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” This is known as praying in the Holy Ghost. Paul gives us good and godly advice on being strong in the Lord.

We see the essential ability.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Paul tells us that being strong in the Lord is not something we can do, but something God alone does for us. The power of His might refers to power and might that belongs only to God. We cannot manufacture it. We cannot get it from books written by human authors. We cannot get it from anyone but God Himself. We get this power and might by resting in Him. We get this power and might by requesting it from Him. We get this power and might by remaining steadfast in Him. It is only by His power and might that we can be victorious.

Start the New Year strong: strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We must cast our entire helplessness and weakness upon Him before His power can work. We must hold to the Lord firmly and not allow the winds of adversity to blow us into the rocks and shoals of destruction. We can only be strong in the Lord, and nowhere else.

Have a strengthened God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 20-22

#Ephesians #StrongintheLord