“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” (Eph. 12:18-19 NAS)

What is God telling us through these magnificent and encouraging words? Are we aware of the “riches of the glory of His inheritance?” How about the “boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe?” We read glorious words like this and wonder, “Could there really be such a reality for me?”

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Did God place them to frustrate us or encourage us to reach toward Him for the whole inheritance He has prepared for us? Why should we wait for heaven to know the greatness of His power?  Is He not clearly telling us that He wants us to know it now in our lives?

If we believe that God can bring us to heaven after we die, why would He be unable to fulfill His prayers for us here on earth? Jesus prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!” (Matt. 6:10) Most of us have known at least someone here on earth that are true to their word. How much more will God fulfill all things to those who hope only in Him?

We foolishly place our hope in ourselves or other finite and flawed humans to save us from this or that. Who are you hoping in today?

We might think to ourselves that the road to inheriting the kingdom of God in its fullness must require so much. Jesus said, “all things are possible to those who believe.” (Mk. 9:23) Is this just a nice-sounding platitude? Or we might say, “Even if it did depend on believing only, I just don’t have enough faith!” God says that it is not how much faith you have but where you place it! (Lk. 17:6) A tiny bit of faith in a perfect Savior who made a perfect sacrifice for us qualifies us for everything! (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

What are you hoping for? When Jesus tells us, “Seek, and you shall find,” and everyone who seeks finds,” He is not telling us He will help us become rich, is He? Well, some seem to think so. In so thinking, they overlook so much of God’s words to us. But what is He telling us?

If we seek to become filled with the same life that is in Him, the Holy Spirit, we, too, can be filled to overflowing! (Please note that the greek tense of the verb to seek here is a continuous tense, meaning to seek and keep on seeking.)

So do not lose heart, my friends! He will not let you down. It is the safest bet you will ever make to place your whole hope in Him.

I once had a psychology professor and friend who was reflecting on an earlier period of my life we had shared. It had been a time when my life was very focused on Christ. He defined that period like this,  ” Well, Mark,” he said, “back then, you had put all your eggs in the Jesus basket.”

I have reflected on those words so many times over my life. Over the years, I have invested hope in so many foolish things. This often resulted in abysmal returns on my investment: broken financial hopes, broken personal dreams, damaged relationships, and everything in between.

Now, 40 years later, I can loudly proclaim this one thing.  Jesus is the only place I ever invested where the dividends far exceeded the investment. Dear friends, I strongly advise that you place all your “talents” into the bank of Jesus! (Matt. 25:27)