June 30 - Ephesians 3:20

June 30
Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

This beautiful short verse is a beautiful doxology of the goodness of God.  If we stopped to take stock of all the blessings that God has bestowed upon us, and get our thoughts off of the things we don't have, it should bring us to our knees giving the Lord praise, honor and glory for all that He has and is doing in our life. I like to call it a "gratitude check," which is a great antidote for changing us from negative thoughts to one of thankfulness. 

When I do my own gratitude check, I take a few minutes out to meditate on the goodness of God - on all He has done for me. I thank God for life, breath, health, a wonderful family, good friends, a warm house in the winter and a cool house in the summer. I thank God for electricity, a pantry and refrigerator full of food, and the list goes on and on. I thank Him for the least little thing that has brought joy in my life. That will take me out of any negative mood I may have been in to having a spirit of gratitude for all God has done for me. Then to add to that, I meditate of the spiritual blessings God has given me as well.  How Jesus saved me from my sinfulness, gave me forgiveness of sins, given me His Holy Spirit to guide and empower me, and the list goes on and on again.

The next time you find yourself in a negative mood, STOP and do a gratitude check with you and the Lord. Stretch your meditation to everything you can think of for what you are grateful for.  You may even want to write them down. Then watch to see how any negativity you had turns to a heart of gratefulness. 

God so desires and has already blessed us abundantly; and if we stop to think of all that God has already done for us, it should bring us to give Him glory to give out to others. In many cards or letters, or even verbally, I like to end by saying "May God bless you exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ever ask or think." So as we draw this week to a close, I extend to you God's richest blessings - above and beyond all you can ever ask for or think. 

Ephesians 3:21 To Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,  world without end. Amen