Remember the Four “P’s”

Several years ago, my counselor asked me an odd question: “What was the one piece of equipment that you couldn’t play without as a quarterback?” After a few silent moments, I shared an odd answer: “My towel.” If my grip was gone, I was toast. The towel, then, offered reassurance in the rain and security amidst the sweat. It helped me remember.

John Piper says it best: “One of the great enemies of hope is forgetting God’s promises.” God’s promises never leave. We simply forget them.

Like a trusty towel on your belt, let four key truths from Ephesians 3 help you remember today.

Remember Your Provider

In the Old Testament, one of the Hebrew names for God is Jehovah Jireh which means “the Lord will provide.” God has “glorious, unlimited resources [that] he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16). He is the Creator of everything and loves to come through for you: “You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” (Jeremiah 32:17). He provides everything you need for godliness, is able to meet all your needs according to His glorious riches and gave you what you needed most – His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3, Philippians 4:19, Romans 8:32).

Remember Your Position

As a follower of Jesus Christ, your position is in Him, and He comes to dwell in you: “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him” (Ephesians 3:17). God deeply longs for you to intimately know Him and His unlimited love – the height, width, length and depth of an incomprehensible love that covers all your mistakes and adopts you into God’s family. You are holy, blameless and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22). Forever.

Remember Your Portion

God longs to be the only One to fill up your heart: “…you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19). When you don’t receive satisfaction vertically, you look for it horizontally. Only the Living Water saturates your thirst. Let Him be your portion and fill your cup to overflowing.

Remember Your Pursuit

God pursues. He is able to accomplish “infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). As you pursue God, you will pursue His people. Why? When your heart aligns to God’s heart, His desires become your desires – and He desires restoration for the hurting, broken, and lost. To accomplish this, He will use you: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Pursue the mission, knowing that the greatest work God wants to do through you happens because His power is at work within you.