Friday, September 1, 2017

what wrecks you...

artwork by Tamara Peterson

Something about TamaraPeterson’s beautiful work of art posted on the Artful Story—Journaling Facebook page, came to my heart when I first heard this anointed new hymn, Good, Good Father, by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown of Housefires, a group of musicians from Atlanta, Georgia. I was wrecked by the simple beauty and authenticity of this new hymn, which speaks literally of God’s goodness, and paints a simple picture of His identity, even as it underscores our own identity in Him. Any person who’s ever felt lonely or unloved will be ministered to by this hymn, because it declares something we’ve always wanted: identity and purpose. We are loved with a superabounding love by our Good, Good Father...drawing my heart for a word study of surpassing or superabounding from  Ephesians 1:18-19

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), and [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, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.

NLT:  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power.

Phillips: That you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realize how great is the hope to which he is calling you—the magnificence and splendor of the inheritance promised to Christians—and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.

Wuest:  The eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the superabounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might.

Young’s Literal: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might.

A word study of surpassing or superabounding [huperballo from hupér(above) bállo (cast)] which literally means throwing beyond the usual mark and figuratively referring to a degree which exceeds extraordinary, a point on an implied or overt scale of extent. Expressing a degree beyond comparison. Extraordinary, extreme, supreme, far more, much greater, to a far greater degree. To transcend. Immeasurable. To overshoot, outdo, surpass, prevail over, to go beyond, exceed, absolutely to exceed all bounds, to go on further and further.

God's power goes far beyond all other power. The power of Christ applied in the believer’s behalf can't be defeated because the Creator's power exceeds all. Huperballo is in the present tense (present-active-participle) indicating that this is a power which is continually surpassing or excels all other power. There will never be a day when it is not sufficient to accomplish what God purposes in us and through us to the praise of His glory. What He does in and through us will be seen by others, who give Him praise and glory because they realize that it is a supernatural, not natural, work. Join me in praying daily that we surrender to the authority of the Spirit of Christ, Who dwells in the innermost part of us, energizing our walk, elevating it from a natural to a supernatural walk.

As Greek scholar, Dr. Kenneth Wuest translates, the superabounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might. It is difficult to give a clear distinction between the three Greek words that expand on the meaning of the surpassing greatness of His power, but in simple terms it pictures the piling up of similar terms in an attempt to convey the magnitude and capability of God's incomprehensible, infinite power. God's surpassing, superabounding power is available to believers because we are in Christ and He is in us, these positions picturing a union, a oneness, a solemn and binding covenant relationship. Commentators tell us that they can distinguish differences of meaning between the words, in that the first of them is the more active and outward, and the last of them is the more inward, comparing them to fruit and branch and root. The surpassing power which God uses in ministering to our spiritual needs is in accordance with, commensurate with, His infinite, immeasurable divine energy. Praise His Holy Name!

Pastor Adrian Rogers is quoted as saying, “Now, I want to ask you a question: Are you sitting in this auditorium, this morning, or are you sitting in heavenly places? The answer is yes, yes, yes. Physically, we are here; but, in Christ, we have been raised. When He died, we died. His death had our name on it. When He was raised from the grave, we were raised from the grave. When He ascended, we ascended. When He is seated at the right hand of God, so are we, in Christ. If I were to put you in a barrel and put that barrel in the Mississippi River, where would you be? In the Mississippi River, right? Well, if you're in Christ, and Christ is at the right hand of God, where are you? Seated with Him…as the Apostle Paul wrote, I am praying that your eyes will be opened, that you will be enlightened, that you will understand this (Ephesians 1:18)… surpassing, superabounding, exceeding greatness of His inherent power in and for us who believe (Ephesians 1:19)"…

He’s a Good, Good Father…it’s Who He is, and we’re loved with a superabounding love by Him…it’s who we are…it's Whose we are…in Christ...


Good, Good Father, I am so grateful that You have drawn me with cords of loving kindness to know and experience the surpassing, superabounding, exceeding greatness of Your inherent power in and for us who believe. Thank You for giving me a heart which yearns for Your Presence, a yearning for You that draws me over and over into Your Presence, a yearning that makes only a few days without time in prayer and Your Word seem like an eternity. Thank You for giving me a heart which is motivated first and foremost by a desire for You, not for what You can do for me, but a yearning for Your Presence. Thank You for giving me a heart that wants You more than anything else You could give, to love You and know You more than anything in life. Thank You for giving me a heart that takes what You have made known to me and makes You re-known to everyone else, a heart that makes Your name and renown the desire of my heart. Thank You for giving me a heart to feel Your Holy Spirit woo me once again to the place where I meet You. In the simplicity of my prayer time, thank You for giving me a heart to be suddenly confronted by the majesty of my Redeemer—the One Who is responsible for any good in me. Lord, each morning, thank You for giving me a heart that welcomes Your fresh mercies which fall like manna from Heaven, and once again move my heart. I gratefully surrender all. Morning after morning. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Ephesians 1:18-19 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In
—as you meditate on Ephesians 1:18-19 …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 1:18-19 …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


Weekly LinkUps…

17 comments:

  1. The verse Tamara highlighted really spoke to me since I'm reading in Jeremiah right now, and that guy spent his whole ministry in various stages of "wrecked." Continually I come back to the question, as I read, "Am I willing to risk that level of vulnerability?"
    Thanks for another beautiful post, Beth.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Michele. I am always uplifted by your thoughtful, encouraging comments. Your wonderful reviews of books and life-affirming posts are always so open, honest and transparent. Many blessings to you, dear friend.

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  2. What rich treasures this verse contains. I love how a verse I've read for decades contains riches I've yet to unearth!

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    1. Elizabeth, I so appreciate you stopping by to share your heart. It is a blessing to dig in to God's Word to discover anew these treasures. Many blessings to you!

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  3. Thank you for reminding us of this "What is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us".

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  4. That is great art for this verse - thanks for sharing that.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Carol. Tamara Peterson's artwork always inspires me. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  5. A heart flooded with Light. I love light in all things and am amazed by anyone who likes a darker version of the world. Never understand that, but then there are choices. Such a great reminder verse of how our hearts and lives can be flooded with Light. Also, that song, when I first heard it was such a balm....just can feel with those words what a great vision of our Father in Heaven. Such a wise musician to have written those words. Another newer song that I cannot make it all the way through without tears flooding and can no longer sing is Great Are You Lord.....he is the breath in our lungs that he blew to us at birth and on the cross is the vision each time I hear it. Loved seeing your visit at Sunday Scripture Blessings...thanks for visiting so I could come visit you. Have a great week.

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

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    1. I so agree with you about the power of God's Word being sung through lyrics of wonderful hymns... the tears flow from my eyes, too...like the washing of the Word through our hearts. Many blessings to you!

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  6. Good, Good Father is one of my very favorite hymns. I just never get tired of hearing it, and it always takes me back to the source of my identity. Thank you for all the wonderful versions and study helps on the Ephesians passage!

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    1. Leslie, I so appreciate you stopping by. You are so right about that hymn taking us back to the Source of our identity...God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Many blessings to you!

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  7. Oh ... Good Good Father is a favorite of mine.

    I am soothed and blessed even as I sing His praise. Beautiful.

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  8. Yes, Linda, soothed is the perfect word...like a little lamb being held in its Great Shepherd's arms...singing a lullaby to reassure us of His Love...many blessings to you friend!

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  9. Beth, such a great scripture, and what a great song! I love Good Good Father, it really opens us up to understand a bit more of God's perfect love for us. Thanks for sharing, I'm visiting you today from #DanceWithJesus Linkup.

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    1. Debbie, thanks for stopping by from #DancewithJesus. It is a joy to link up with sweet sisters in Christ and share what a difference He makes in our lives. Many blessings to you!

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  10. You had me at "Good Good Father" - I love that song- I love that He taught me what a good, good Father is- and filled the Father gap in my life! Wrecked - yes! that's a good word for it!

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    1. Oh, amen! I so agree with you! Thanks so much for stopping by. Many blessings to you 💕

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