Ephesians 1:15-23 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 1:15-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason Verse 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. Verse 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, Verse 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, Verse 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. Verse 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, Verse 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. Verse 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, Verse 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Devotion
After three years in Japan it is time to move again. I had orders to report to a base in California, but about a month before departure those orders were cancelled. Instead, we would return to the "lower Midwest," this time, Oklahoma. For several reasons, that didn't appeal to us. I told the Colonel in charge of chaplain assignments, "We've prayed about this move and Paula and I have decided we would like to go to Alaska next, either in uniform or as a civilian pastor." He replied as I expected, "Usually when someone says that to me my response is, 'Thanks for your service; have a nice, civilian life.'" We went to sleep that night not knowing what the morrow would bring. What it brought was another example of "the immeasurable greatness" of God's power for us who believe; what it brought was—surprise, surprise—orders to Alaska! "We are finally home."
Prayer
Lord God, your power is great—whether it confirms or redirects my hope in you. Give me this day a spirit of wisdom and revelation, as together with all the saints I await Christ's return, when all shall recognize the fullness of him and you who sent him. Amen.