Little Grey Haired Ladies (Ephesians 1:16)

EPHESIANS 1:16

In Ephesians 1:16, Paul, the Apostle, by the Spirit of God, says, "...I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers"

COLLABORATIONS

Being a musician, and listening to a variety of songs and music over the years, it has always being very striking to me, that a number of very successful songs, in secular media, and praise and worship, have been collaborations. It is true that many artists have written their own material, but even the sound; the musical "hook"; or production of the songs, have almost always, been the results of other creative minds and talents, coming together, to form a composition that gives rarity and uniqueness, that makes the words and melody, attractive to the audience.

PRINCIPLES of COOPERATION

There is the phrase in business, about the so called, "self-made" man, or woman. I have yet to meet anyone who is actually "self-made". People achieve high levels of success because they have learned important principles of cooperation, and the utilization of people; ideas; and resources, to formulate a business or venture, that is truly remarkable and outstanding.

CORPORATE EFFORT

Even in team sports, we laud and fuss over the "superstar" athlete, but despite his or her natural talent, no sports team ever excels, without every player having a specific function or assignment, that they are tremendously skilled at, on a professional level, and it is the overall corporate effort, that propels the "superstar" to the spotlight, for everyone to see.

NO SUPERSTARS

I heard one preacher say, that in the church, "...there are no superstars, just one bright and morning star...", referring to Jesus.

PAUL

Paul said he didn't cease to give thanks for the Ephesian church, making mention of them, in his prayers.

"CEASE" is translated from the Greek word (pauo), [(3973), Strong's], and is where we get the English word, "pause" from. It is used in the present tense, emphasizing on-going; continuous action, with an article, stipulating "...that he doesn't 'pause', or 'stop'..", on-going, continuously, giving thanks for them.

"THANKS" is (eucharisteo), [(2168), Strong's], and one of the dominate meanings, is to express "thanks", for something that is already done, or happened, as opposed to something that is future orientation. In other words, it is being "grateful" for a past event.

"MENTION" is (mneia), [(3417), Strong's], which, among other things, not only has the idea of "remembrance, or memory", signifying that they were always on his mind, but "naming" them specifically.

"PRAYERS" is (proseuche), [(4335), Strong's], the most common term for prayer, which refers to "...making bold or confident assertions or declarations...", about someone, or something.

SUMMARY

To summarize, Paul, by the Spirit of God, did not stop thanking the Father, for what was already happening, in the spiritual realm, in the lives of the Ephesian Believers; repeatedly, mentioning them by name, on a constant basis, making bold and confident, declarations, concerning them, before the Father and all the witness of the heavenly realm, for what was already, through the eyes of faith, happening, in their spiritual lives.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

I remember, as a young child, going to "Sunday School", or what may now be called, "Children's Church" , where we had individual classes, that we would go to, after the morning session of "church", to be taught according to our age group. I had a little old grey haired lady named Mrs. Kazelchuk, who was my Sunday School teacher. The spelling of her name is probably not correct, but of the memories that I have as a child, of that dear saint, was her regular reminder, that every week, she would be constantly; continually, making mention of my name, before the throne of heaven, praying for me.

SELF-MADE

We are not a "self-made" success, in the realm of faith and Christian life. All that I am, and all that we are, have been the result of little grey haired ladies; mothers; grandmothers; friends and family, who will not cease, to call our names, before the throne of God; their prayers still echoing through the halls of heaven, declaring our salvation and deliverance, for all eternity.

TWO QUESTIONS:

1. Do you have someone; some person, who will never give up on you, and will not stop praying and praising God, for what He is doing and has done in your life.

2. Just as important, who are you constantly; continually, thanking the Father for, and boldly declaring, through the eye of faith, salvation and deliverance for. Who is it...a wife; a child; a close friend, or family member, that you will not give up on, no matter what it looks like, until Christ is fully formed in them?
   

You Are God's Best and God's Best is Yours