When I was a typical skinny teenager my older brother bought me a muscle building set for my 14th birthday.

I worked out vigorously for 3-4 months, but the desired muscles didn't come as I had anticipated. I was still as skinny as ever!

Now, as a much older person, I still seek to have great strength—but in a very different way.

My concern is no longer to be physically strong. Instead I would rather have the strength that the Lord gives to His people in response to their disciplining themselves—as described in Ephesians 6:11-18.

In our first verse today we have a promise from the Lord that says He's searching the whole earth to find people to strengthen.

God has given His children this promise of help to encourage them in the daily grind of life.

For those who have committed their way to the Lord, this promise is significant.

By laying your ambitions, your plans, your entire self at the feet of Jesus, you may then say in prayer, "Look at me Jesus, I have committed everything about myself to you. Come and strengthen me for the work of today."

Keep on with this prayer until you find the needed strength to move forward in obedience to the Lord Jesus.

Carefully read through Ephesians 6:11-18 to see how to gain this strength to live effectively for the Lord.

Paul tells us what he desires for us in verse 10 and then verses 11-18 tell us how to gain that needed strength.

Present yourself to the Saviour today and remind him with the words, "Lord you promised."

May you find the needed strength to live for the Lord and honour Him as you and He both desire.