"And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 1 :19-20  NIV

I can't believe that this is a picture of my daughter. She has changed a lot over the past 4 years. Now that she is 16 life has a whole new meaning for her. She is aware of the world in which we live. The stresses of this generation surpass anything that my generation knew.

Our kids today know about school shootings, heroine epidemics, suicide bombers in a crazy world, gang wars and many more violent acts. Not to mention the sexual exposure that my generation knew nothing about. Television, movies and the internet want to bombard them with images that can make it harder to say no to illicit sex.

Thank God through Jesus Christ we have power to to say no to the sinful, evil ways of this world. The amplified Bible says:"So that you can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe." Ephesians 1:19

God is telling us here that his strength is limitless. It is so vast that it cannot be measured. It surpasses any other strength that we have ever known or could ever know. When God tells us "Peace, be still." he is more than able to give us peace. When he says to us, "I am your healer", we know he is able. When God says to us through his word, let me carry your sorrows he is able.

God never meant for us to carry emotional or physical pain. We walk through these things, and he is right by our sides. Sometimes our pain is miraculously removed, and sometimes we have to walk through it.

 No matter what he choses for us his strength is there to meet our need. It doesn't always feel like it is, but we are not meant to be moved by our feelings. We are meant to lean on brothers and sisters who can pray and love us. "We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves."  Romans 15:1 

God bears with us in our lack of ability, but he also provides a way out. This is not to ever say in pride, that one is better than another. We are all a work in progress, and Jesus gives generously to all. Some of us have been christians for many years, and others might be first discovering His incomparably great power. 

All of us want to see a miracle, but none of us want to be in the place where we need one. Jesus was dead when he was raised from the grave. We need to die to self to be filled with the strength of the Lord. What a wonderful Savior!