Daily Devotional For Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Good morning Southside and I hope all is well with all of you. When Jesus Christ established the church, there was nothing popular or desiring in it. The Roman Empire did everything it could for 400 years to eradicate it from the world. Their efforts were ones of futility because of Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (NASB). If hell itself with the devil and all his demons cannot stop God’s church, no government can either. Many have tried and all have failed.
A lot of people today believe that the days of the church are over, at least in America. Every week across America churches close their doors for the last and final time for all kinds of various reasons. At the same time though, there are new church plants and startup churches every week also. Look at Ephesians 1:17-20, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. (18) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, (19) and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength (20) He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms” (NIV).
For the last 2,000 years the enemies of the church have thought it was dead, and gone but still prevails. Why? The promise of Jesus in Matthew 16:18. These are treacherous times and this is why the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:17-20 prays that Christians of all ages will have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s purpose in this world. Godly wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s perspective, to be able to discern His will and purpose and grasp His revelation to enlighten to bring understanding to those who are lost.
That is why I believe the best days of the church are ahead of us. God is moving all over the world. There is a spiritual hunger and thirst today for the truth. For the last 100 years, people in America have bought the lie that pop-psychology and education will save us. We have more people in therapy, counseling and on prescription medication than ever before and guess what? It is not working. Oh, don’t misunderstand me. I am not against these but they are not a salvation nor the ultimate solution. Most people’s problems are due to sin – yes I said it – sin. When people allow Jesus Christ to give them His life and begin to change them from the inside out, sin decreases and so do the consequences sin brings. We live in a world where people want the pleasures of sin without the consequences of sin. There is no pill, no counselor and no therapy that will heal or solve that. Only Jesus Christ and His church can.
I believe there is a spiritual awakening or spiritual revival taking place in America like never before in history. People have tried it all, done it all and are still miserable and unhappy. The Apostle Paul prayed first that God would enlighten us about the truth of our future hope, which is not some kind of vague feeling based on the best circumstances. Paul mentions this also in Colossians 1:5 and in Colossians 1:27. This complete certainty and hope comes from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:14).
Then second, Paul prays that believers would be enlightened with the truth of God’s riches – we are His inheritance and greatest possession. This is the 6th time Paul has referred to this in his letter. There is coming a day God will inherit His people, His precious possession by bringing them to Him for all eternity. And third, Paul prayed the believers would be enlightened with the truth about God’s incomparably great power for us who believe. New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this:
“In this phrase, Paul used four nearly synonymous Greek words to express God’s comprehensive power. Each word, by itself, has a slightly different focus: (1) “power” (dunamis) means capability or potential; (2) “working” (energeian) means effective or active power; (3) “mighty” (or “might,” kratous) means a force that overcomes resistance (this word is used only of God, never of believers); and (4) “strength” (ischuos) refers to bodily or muscular strength in humans; inherent, vital power in God. Taken together, the four words exhibit God’s all-inclusive power” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The LIfe Application Bible Commentary, “Ephesians,” p. 30).
The variety in these words underscores the completeness of God’s power. Because of His power, believers know that:
- This means that God is on their side, ready to help them meet each and every obstacle;
- God’s power is never stagnant or out of commission—it is always actively working on their behalf;
- God is always fighting against the forces of evil on believers’ behalf;
- No human strength or spiritual power from the evil world (not even satan himself) can deter or change God’s inherent power.
Only God’s power can change weak human beings into strong believers who are willing to sacrifice everything for the God who loves them. The bottom line for Paul and us is this: in order to internalize and believe these 3 truths, the believer must know the Lord, not just about the Lord.
Years ago when I was a pastor in Louisville, KY, a friend of mine was a chauffeur, driving stretched limos for the wealthy and celebrities. He called me one day and asked me if I would like to ride with Him to pick up a certain celebrity named William Shatner – yes – Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. I have always been a Star Trek fan and I immediately said yes. I sat in the back with Mr. Shatner and discovered he was very engaging, friendly and personable. To say I know William Shatner is misleading. I know about him through the media and a little more deeper from being in the limo with him.
William Shatner and I are not close personal and intimate friends. Paul knew the Lord personally and intimately and that is why he could write what he does. But Paul knew that what He already knew was nothing compared to knowing Jesus more personally and intimately. This is why he writes this in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (NIV). God is not finished with the church and He is not finished with you.
Assignment: In this devotional you were shared 3 truths from the Apostle Paul given to him by Christ. Which one of these is the one you need to focus more on and apply to your life today? How well would the Lord say you know Him compared to how well you know others? How evident is God’s power in your life? If you are struggling in these, take some time to sit down with a godly and biblical friend or pastor and talk about it.
Scripture To Meditate On: 1 John 2:3, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Father in heaven, I pray that You will continue to awaken Your Church and me as well. May Your churches across the globe find unity in the redemptive work of Jesus and not be deceived by false teachings and deception. Turn back the voices that bring division, and show us how to live together under Your banner of truth and righteousness. Lord, I want to know You more than about You. I promise to get into Your Word and in prayer to do this consistently. Thank You that Jesus’ Church will arise, once again, as Your powerful messenger of Light and Truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly