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14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.(Ephesians 3:14-21 NRSV Bible)
Where are you rooted? By this I mean, where do you find strength, stability, and sustenance for who you are? Some of us give ourselves away by showing we have shallow roots, or worse, deep roots in what is evil. Some, I would venture to guess, have no roots. When I got to college I was thankful for the roots my Dad and Mom tried to have me have. I had been forced to go to church, gasp, against my will! Dad was the old fashioned kind of dad who said I could miss church only if I was dying. I was also forced to be polite to all people, especially my elders (gulp; I resemble that more and more each day!). I was also taught to say yes sir, yes ma'am; no ma'am, no sir. I was taught not to say bad words ever. And the bad words those included were not even to be said. As the years went by words that shouldn't even enter my mind were coming out of the mouths of pre-teens. And the list goes on. But suffice it to say that I was taught to pray; to read the Bible, to attend church; to give generously, starting with my tithe; and to be a person who cared about others.
And speaking of prayer, this passage begins with Paul talking about prayer. In Ephesians 3:14-21, the apostle Paul offers a profound prayer for the Ephesian believers—a prayer that extends across time to touch our hearts today. Paul bows before the Father, recognizing His sovereignty over all creation, and prays earnestly for the believers to experience the fullness of God's love and power. He sets a model for how we too, in faith, should bow before God and share our woes and worries, and praises to Him. Prayer is the key foundation for a solid rooting in God.
Paul's prayer begins with a request for inner strength and spiritual empowerment through the Holy Spirit. This inner strength is not just for personal fortitude but to allow Christ to dwell deeply in our hearts through faith. As we allow Christ to root and ground us in His love, we are established on a foundation that transcends circumstances and emotions.
Paul continues by expressing his desire for believers to grasp the vast dimensions of Christ's love—the breadth, length, height, and depth of it. This love of Christ surpasses human understanding; it is boundless and inexhaustible. Knowing and experiencing this love transforms us, filling us with the fullness of God Himself. Remember our saying yesterday that Jesus is awesome? Here's further proof.
The passage culminates in a declaration of God's ability to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or imagine. It is a reminder that our God is not limited by our limitations but delights in exceeding our expectations. His power is at work within us, achieving purposes beyond our comprehension, and all glory belongs to Him forever.
PRAYER: Loving God, We bow before You, grateful for Your immeasurable love and power at work within us. Strengthen us by Your Spirit, that Christ may dwell richly in our hearts through faith. Help us to comprehend the vastness of Your love, which surpasses all knowledge, and fill us with Your fullness. May Your glory be proclaimed in our lives and in Your church throughout all generations. In Jesus' strong name we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Consider how you can deepen your faith and allow Christ to dwell more fully in your heart. Spend time in prayer, asking God to strengthen you with His Spirit and to help you comprehend His boundless love. Look for opportunities to share this love with others, demonstrating God's grace and mercy in tangible ways. Allow God to work abundantly in and through you, trusting in His power to accomplish far more than you can imagine. GET EXCITED ABOUT GOD BECAUSE HE'S EXCITED ABOUT YOU!!
I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
