Striving According to God's Power - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (January-28-2024)

John MacArthur (January-28-2024) Daily Devotional: Striving According to God's Power

"These are in accordance with the working of the strength of [God's] might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead" (Eph. 1:19-20).

In Christ you have all the power you will ever need.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the great hope of believers. Because He lives, we will live also (John 14:19). Peter said we have been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away" (1 Pet. 1:3-4). We and what we have are protected by God's power (v. 5).

In Ephesians 1:19-20 Paul draws two comparisons. The first is between the power God demonstrated in the resurrection and ascension of Christ, and the power He demonstrates on behalf of every believer. That power is described as God's "working," "strength," and "might." Together those synonyms emphasize the greatness of God's power, which not only secures our salvation, but also enables us to live godly lives.

The second comparison is between our Lord's resurrection and ascension, and ours. The grave couldn't hold Him, nor can it hold us (1 Cor. 15:54-57). Satan himself couldn't prevent Christ's exaltation, nor can he prevent us from gaining our eternal inheritance.

In Christ you have all the power you will ever need. For evangelism you have the gospel itself, which "is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). For difficult times you have the assurance that the surpassing greatness of God's power is at work in you (2 Cor. 4:7). For holy living you have God Himself at work in you "both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

No matter how weak or ill-equipped you may at times feel, realize God "is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that [you] ask or think, according to the power that works within [you]" (Eph. 3:20). So keep striving according to that power (Col. 1:29), but do so with the confidence that ultimately God will accomplish His good in your life.

Suggestions for Prayer

  • Thank God that He can and will accomplish His purposes in your life (Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:24).
  • Pray for wisdom in how you might best serve Him today.

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Striving According to God's Power - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (January-28-2024)
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3 comments

  • Comment Link Brian Howe Wednesday, 31 January 2024 04:17 posted by Brian Howe

    Pastor John is the greatest bible scholar in my lifetime and I consider him my mentor.

  • Comment Link Nora Dohm Saturday, 28 January 2023 17:00 posted by Nora Dohm

    Amen!

  • Comment Link Margaret Vaughan Saturday, 29 January 2022 08:17 posted by Margaret Vaughan

    Striving According to God's Power
    Absolutely 100% and a great comfort! This is truly the Gospel of Jesus. I struggled to find the truth in other church doctrines over many past years, to no avail. They fearfully confuse, ensnaring believers in a deadly trap. Many souls remain in these cultish churches for so long, they may never get out of them. It's heart-breaking. We should always pray for them. Blessings and thanks to Pastor John for his inspiring sermons in Christ. 😀❤🙏

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry.

After graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church in 1969. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, ...

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