Accessing Unlimited Power

Living a fully surrendered life in Christ is one of the greatest yet most challenging journeys we can undertake. Surrender isn't just about letting go; it’s about actively choosing to embrace God’s will daily, aligning every part of ourselves—our hearts, minds, and actions—with His. But how do we live this way in a world filled with distractions and self-centered desires? The Apostle Paul gives us a roadmap in Ephesians 3:14-16, showing that surrender requires three critical practices: maintaining a posture of prayer, capturing the proper perspective, and accessing unlimited power.

1. Maintain a Posture of Prayer
Paul begins by saying, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father” (Ephesians 3:14). Bowing symbolizes humility and dependence on God, but the posture of prayer is about more than physical position. It’s about the attitude of the heart. Are you making time for unhurried communion with God? Do you carve out space in your day to listen, seek, and surrender?

Why Prayer Matters
Prayer is how we connect with God’s riches, enabling us to live and battle as Christians. As Oswald Chambers put it, “It is impossible to keep right with God if one neglects to spend time with Him.” Prayer isn’t a checkbox; it’s a lifeline. It reorients our priorities and reminds us who holds the ultimate authority.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Prayer

• Create a Sacred Space: Find a consistent place to meet with God, free from distractions.
• Adopt a Physical Posture: Kneel, sit, or even lie prostrate—whatever helps you focus and humble yourself before Him.
• Commit to Unhurried Time: Just as Pastor Jeff Wells emphasized in his book Unhurried Time with God, meaningful prayer isn’t rushed. Approach it with intentionality.
  
  

2. Capture the Proper Perspective
Paul continues, “From whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:15). Recognizing God’s vastness reshapes how we see ourselves, others, and the challenges we face.

Understanding God's Riches
Paul points to God’s infinite resources, saying He gives according to His riches, not out of them. There’s a profound difference. Giving out of implies a portion, while giving according to reflects abundance. Imagine a billionaire giving you $1 million instead of just $10—it reflects the scale of their wealth. That’s how God provides: richly and fully, in proportion to His limitless glory.

Shifting Your Perspective
How do you see your challenges? Is God bigger than your financial struggles, relational wounds, or the trials your children face? Scripture reminds us that “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Limiting beliefs constrain our lives, but a faith-filled perspective lifts us to new possibilities.

Practical Ways to Reframe Your Perspective

• Anchor Yourself in Scripture: Memorize verses about God’s character and promises, such as Jeremiah 9:24: “Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me.”
• Reflect on God’s Faithfulness: Journaling past answered prayers or breakthroughs can build your faith for future challenges.
• Choose Gratitude: A heart of gratitude recalibrates your focus from what’s wrong to what God is already doing.
  
  

3. Access Unlimited Power
Paul prays that believers would be “strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). This power isn’t theoretical; it’s accessible and practical. It enables us to persevere, overcome, and grow daily.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
Living surrendered means tapping into the Holy Spirit’s power to transform our inner lives. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, offering strength beyond our natural capacity. George Müller, a 19th-century pastor, described his primary daily concern as nourishing his inner man through fellowship with God. Without this, he cautioned, even good works can be done in the wrong spirit.

What Unlimited Power Looks Like
Imagine facing your daily struggles—marriage, parenting, work—with a constant awareness that God’s power is available. Instead of relying on your limited strength, you draw from His endless supply. That’s the difference between striving and abiding.

Practical Ways to Access God’s Power

• Invite the Holy Spirit Daily: Begin each morning by asking God to fill and strengthen you for the day ahead.
• Depend on Prayer: Make prayer your first response, not your last resort.
• Meditate on God’s Word: Scripture is a source of strength and renewal. Verses like Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) remind us of His sufficiency.

The Daily Challenge of Surrender
Living a surrendered life isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily discipline. Each morning, we wake up with “too much of ourselves” in us, as Paul implies. It’s a battle to lay down our desires, habits, and fears at God’s feet and choose His way instead.

No One Can Do It for You
Here’s the truth: no one can meet with God for you. No one can strengthen your soul on your behalf. This is your journey, and it requires active participation. Start small, but stay consistent. The discipline of surrender leads to freedom, joy, and the abundant life Jesus promises.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
To live a fully surrendered life, you must maintain a posture of prayer, capture the proper perspective, and access unlimited power. These three practices aren’t just tasks to check off—they’re pathways to intimacy with God.

Every time you bow your heart in prayer, shift your thinking to align with God’s perspective and lean on His Spirit for strength, you step closer to becoming the person He’s called you to be. This journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth every step. Through surrender, you’ll discover the fullness of life that only God can provide.

This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Sunday January 12, 2025. Check out the full message below!