Do you have good friends of faith? Do you share your joys and struggles in your daily walk with Christ and praises for answered prayers? Paul had that kind of relationship with the Ephesians when he lived among them and it shows in his heartfelt message as 
he sought to encourage them in their faith. Ephesians 1:15-16. “Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,” Paul had brought them to faith and was like a proud ‘papa’ over the continued growth of these believers. He was thankful for their lives of faith and prayed for them all the time.
A couple of months ago I was struggling with some health issues and a dear sister in Christ sent me a handmade card with the sentiment “I’m praying for you”. Just receiving her note encouraged me in my walk that day and each day after as I glanced at the card. Saying you’ll pray for someone is the most precious gift you can give them, so don’t say it if you don’t intend to actually pray. Paul was sincere and serious about prayer and he prayed constantly for those new believers in all the cities where he ministered.
Teaching, preaching, witnessing and prayer were all essential parts of Paul’s ministry. Even if we do not feel like we can be teachers or preachers we can all witness to the joy and power of Christ in our lives. We can all pray for those who we encounter who do not know Jesus, for our friends and family, and for specific troubles or circumstances we know people are experiencing. We can pray for our leaders at church, in our city and in our country. Prayer changes things and gives us opportunity to communicate with Father God about the people in our lives. Praying for others takes the focus off ourselves and acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all things. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can go directly to God in prayer. He is accessible because of our faith in Jesus.
Today spend some time in prayer for those around you that are hurting, despairing, in poor health, need comfort, strength or are walking down a wrong pathway. Thank God that they are in your life and that you can lift them up in the name of Jesus.
Linda
Let Psalm 103:1-5 be on your lips today!
Today’s verses are some of the most precious in the New Testament and I refer to them often in my writing and speaking. They tell of our wonderful inheritance of salvation through faith in Christ and inclusion in God’s family through the power of the Holy Spirit. His power within us is our guarantee of God’s hope and promises to come. Be encouraged as you read, Ephesians 1:13-14 “
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead
free, either. 
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,
the cross. This year He has led me to the book of Ephesians. It has 6 chapters and I plan to look at selected verses during the 6 weeks of Lent. As a whole Ephesians is a book filled with encouragement for Christian living and unity that God desires to be present in the church. I am looking forward to this journey beginning tomorrow on Ash Wednesday February 26.
2 Corinthians 12:9 is one of my go to verses for power, strength and assurance about God’s grace. Paul recalls the words of Christ to him, “ But he said to me, 
His grace, certainly not by anything we have done or will do. We cannot be good enough, clean enough or pure enough on our own. Salvation is a gracious gift of God given to us through our faith in Jesus. He saves us by grace and graciously uses us to do His good works. He could do everything himself, but He graciously allows us to participate for our good and His glory.
May you grow to trust in His grace, lean into and depend upon His grace and let His grace give you Hope as you draw near to Him with a heart of love and devotion.
us. Romans 5:8 “ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God so loved us, even as sinners, that he sent Jesus to redeem and save us through His death on the cross. Imagine a love that great as to sacrifice your son for you and me! 1 Peter 2:24-25 “
He willingly gave Himself to save us! He healed us in His death from our sin and unrighteousness. Now instead of wandering in a world of sin, we are kept and looked after by the great Shepherd who looks out for our souls. What a wonderful picture of our loving God and Savior. 
higher than your ways
Ponder how you can think more like Jesus. Delve into God’s Word and try to soak it up into your very being. Endeavor to practice Biblical thinking this week and see if you are not wiser and led into sin less as you look to His Word as your guide.
Fearless Living 