Monday, March 30, 2015

the Lamb has overcome!

watercolor of the Empty Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, Israel

From the moment Kari Jobe begins to sing the opening lyrics of the beautiful new hymn, Forever, the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ fills the atmosphere…The moon and stars they wept, the morning sun was dead, the Savior of the world was fallen, His body on the cross, His blood poured out for us, the weight of every curse upon Him, one final breath He gave, as heaven looked away, the Son of God was laid in darkness, a battle in the grave, the war on death was waged, the power of hell forever broken, the ground began to shake, the stone was rolled away, His perfect love could not be overcome, now death where is your sting? Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated. Forever He is glorified, Forever He is lifted high, Forever He is risen, He is alive, He is alive! We sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, the Lamb has overcome!

As I pondered this wonderful Truth, I turned to a word study of Ephesians 1:19-20

Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]

NLT: I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.

Phillips:  and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. That power is the same divine power which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him the place of supreme honor in Heaven

Wuest: and what is the super-abounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might, which might was operative in the Christ when He raised Him from among the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places

Young's Literal: and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might, which He wrought in the Christ, having raised Him out of the dead, and did set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.

The Message: Oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—endless energy, boundless strength. All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.


I find great encouragement in a word study of the four different Greek words used in this Scripture for the resurrection power with which God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and toward us who believe

NASB: what is the surpassing greatness of His 
power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. 

power (dunamis)—dynamic—it refers to intrinsic power. The gospel is dynamic, God’s dynamic, and so is powerful in the transformation of human lives. Dunamis is the same power that resides in believers because we are in Christ and He is in us.

working (energeia)—describes effectual working, efficiency or active, effective power. In this passage, energeia describes the active, energetic, productive power of God at work. Energeia describes God’s power in raising Christ, Paul instructs us that we have it, too.

strength (kratos)—refers to manifested power or power that is released, put forth in action. It is power to overcome what stands in the way. It is power which is able to overcome resistance. Kratos means strength or might, the power to rule or control, supreme authority, sovereignty.

might (ischus)—inherent power or force. A muscular man’s big muscles display his might, even if he doesn’t use them. It is the reserve of strength. Ischus conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. The idea is that it is the active efficacy of the might that is inherent in God, His indwelling strength. He is able!

As a believer, I know this is the same resurrection power that dwells in the innermost part of me, giving me strength to face every day’s challenges.
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power out-flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers] (Philippians 3:10 Amplified Bible)

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].(Philippians 4:13 Amplified Bible)

This is encouraging to me, because it’s not my power, but the power of the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead…Praise His Holy Name…the Lamb has overcome!


The most powerful evangelism doesn’t take place within the four walls of a church building. It occurs as we share with others in our neighborhood and workplace the good news of what God has done for us individually and for the whole world in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ask God to bring people across your path today who need to hear the good news that God saves and that he loves them. And then ask him for the compassion and courage to share the reason for your hope and to pray for those people. Nothing happens apart from the resurrection power of Jesus. Only Christ working in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word of God can produce a life that pleases the Lord. So let this prayer be the cry of your heart.


Heavenly Father, strengthen and equip me with every good thing so that I can do your will. Prepare me for what you’re preparing for me. And open my heart wider to the working of your Spirit so that my life—inside and outside—will honor you. Produce in me, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to you. I rejoice over the resurrection of your precious Son! I won’t forget what he has done for me. You sent him to earth and he was dishonored, but I pray that I will honor him by remembering the cross. I will acknowledge his sacrifice and celebrate his resurrection. Thank you that he burst from the tomb to live inside us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Ephesians 1:19-20 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on Ephesians 1:19-20 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Ephesians 1:19-20 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.


* If you liked this post, you’ll love this book – Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ

56 comments:

  1. It's crazy (but not really) that you put Phil 3:10 in the AMP bible in this post because I just started a new bible study where this is the key verse. Why it means so much to me is because I am so struggling with purpose right now and this helps me so much to remember that it is not what I do that gives me purpose, but who I am in Christ. My purpose is to know Him and all that comes out of me from there is overflow of Him. Many blessings!!

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    1. Jen, thank you so much for your comment! I, too, love the Amplified Phil. 3:10...it does give us great confidence..."my determined purpose is that I may know Him..." Amen❤️

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  2. Thank you, Beth. You put a lot of thought and energy into your word study and I appreciate both. You have given me food for thought and reflection during this Passion Week.

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  3. Amen! So grateful for His power in my life!

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    1. Carol, thank you for stopping by, I so agree with you ❤️

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  4. I am stopping by with a visit from the Make a Difference Mondays link up. I enjoyed the different versions of that verse, I usually read the Easy To Read version because it takes me a long time to understand what is being written, I have much to learn! Your post has encouraged me to keep reading. Thank you,

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    1. Michelle, thank you so much for your comment! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  5. Oh Beth, so much and ...
    What power!
    ...how rich
    ...the incredible greatness of his power...the same mighty power
    ...how tremendous is the power...the same divine power
    ...of His inherent power...manifested strength of His might
    ...the exceeding greatness of His power...the power of His might
    ...no name and no power exempt from His rule
    ...the surpassing greatness of His power...the strength of His might

    ...dynamic
    ...working, productive power of God
    ...strength
    ...might
    There is so much meat here causing me to just read and reread these verses in the many versions to begin to grasp just how wide and deep and long His love is for us, for me.
    Praising God.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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    1. Linda, I love your Being Woven website, and I love your enthusiastic joy and delight in the study of God's love letter to us! many blessings to you ❤️

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  6. Beth,
    Oh how I needed this reminder this morning...feeling weak and weary...I am encouraged to know that I can tap into Christ's resurrection power. I love Bethel Music and their music brings me to tears. What a beautiful reminder that the Lamb has truly overcome and we can too!
    Blessings,
    Bev
    ps. Blessed to have linked up beside you on Kelly's link-up

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  7. Beth, a beautiful word study. May I not forget ... "Oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—endless energy, boundless strength." His work in each of us is endless, boundless & extravagant. So grateful to have read these words this morning. Blessings!

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    1. Joanne, thank your for your encouraging comments...many blessings to you ❤️

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  8. Beth, thanks so much for faithfully linking up to Testimony Tuesday each week! So grateful for your encouragement. I wondered if you would like to guest post for the Women Who Inspire series this summer? Drop me a note and let me know if you are interested. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you, Holly. It is such a blessing to link-up to Testimony Tuesday. I would be so honored to guest post for the Women Who Inspire series this summer. I sent an email to you. Thanks again ❤️

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  9. Amen! I love knowing that the power of God is multi-faceted to meet all of my needs.

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    1. Love that word, multifaceted...like a diamond...so true ❤️

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  10. Thank you so much! What a wonderful study of the meaning of the passage and the message behind it. There is so much power in God and in His Word!

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    1. Thank you so much for commenting...I so agree with you ❤️

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  11. Beth, thank you for this...such sound teaching, and I need to be reminded that His resurrection power LIVES in ME! Great thought to meditate on this week. Visiting from #RaRaLinkup, Angela Parlin

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    1. Angela, thanks so much for your encouraging comments...many blessings to you ❤️

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  12. Beautiful, powerful, hopeful, sacred words. Thank you for sharing with Small Wonder.

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    1. Thank you, Amber...such a blessing to link up with sweet sisters in Christ ❤️

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  13. It's not my power but the power that is IN me! Amen!!

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  14. A wonderful study Beth...your Daddy taught you well and you teach us well.
    A study done by this method really helps with us gaining understanding.
    Thank you so much!

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    1. Thank you, Mary, you are such a wonderful encourager to me and so many others ❤️

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  15. Beth, I love the way you dig into scripture and then share with us all! #raralinkup
    Have a great day! Kim Stewart
    www.kimstewartinspired.com

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  16. Awesome! Thanks for digging deep and serving up a feasr, Beth! His word is so rich and alive ...

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  17. Thank you for this word study! Yes, He has overcome!
    Thank you for blessing me today, Beth.
    Sharing this one.
    Blessings,
    Donna

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    1. Thank you for sharing, Donna, many blessings to you ❤️

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  18. I love this Kari Jobe song too. Hearing it in my head even now as I read and write. :) So much power in these verses in Ephesians. I enjoyed reading them in the different translations. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Oh! This post gave me goosebumps. I loved how you blended your writing in with the translations of the scripture you were referencing. This was so insightful! One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Ephesians 6:10 - when it tells us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power... You have truly instilled the full meaning behind that mighty power right into my soul today. Thank you Beth!

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    1. Jennifer, you will never know how much your comments encouraged me today...now I'm the one with goosebumps...what an awesome and gracious Lord we serve, to bless us both this way ❤️

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  20. " it’s not my power, but the power of the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead"

    GOSH... this still blows my mind! It's humbling too!

    Thank you for sharing! I'm visiting from #LiveFree!

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    1. Thank you, Kristin, for your delightfully enthusiastic comments! Many blessings to you ❤️

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  21. Reading this on Good Friday and such power in these words... To really think about what it meant for Jesus to die for us, what he went through, and what it means for us today.

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  22. Beautiful Beth! I love your word study because it teaches us of the power of Jesus and the strength of who He is. I feel energized just by reading these words today. Blessed you linked up at The Weekend Brew. Happy Easter!

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    1. Mary, I so appreciate your encouraging comments ❤️

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  23. Love this, Beth! Timely word study!

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  24. Thank you so much for sharing your scripture and word study of such a powerful verse. I always find it so interesting how a different version of the same scripture can impart a new insight that I had not considered before.

    I found great encouragement from the definition of strength that you shared.

    Happy Easter!

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  25. Beth, isn't that an amazing truth?? Hard to fathom how we have that same Spirit living in us! Thank you for this study today. Blessings!

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    1. It is amazing, Kristine, thank you for commenting ❤️

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  26. Hi Beth! The term inherent power speaks to me. It reminds me of a power gifted to me through my connection with Christ. I don't have to display or flaunt it. It just is. And I have it. Great word/work. Thanks for linking up with #GiveMeGrace

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    1. So true! Thank you for stopping by from #GiveMeGrace and leaving such an encouraging comment. Many blessings to you!

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  27. And that is why we are overcomers too.
    Happy Easter!

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    1. Amen, Lux, I so agree with you. Many blessings to you!

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  28. Love this!! "This is encouraging to me, because it’s not my power, but the power of the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead"

    Thank you for sharing! Blessings, Letetia

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    1. Letetia, thank you so much for taking time to leave such an encouraging comment...many blessings to you ❤️

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