For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 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, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Good day, dear Friend! This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! I pray that be true to you, especially since we have chosen to start our day with prayer, devotion, and study of God's precious word. May you be blessed to the point of overflowing and blessings from you will be for others.
This passage is known as the Apostle Paul's prayer for his readers in Ephesus. It was a strong, growing church, but it had its problems. Paul believed that once someone forgets about the love God has for them, they soon forget almost everything else. Once a church forgets about God's love, they might as well close down and sell their building. Paul shares that he prayed kneeling before the Father, and he reminds them that every family in heaven and on the earth has taken its name from God. So, not only are we made in God's image, we have taken God's name. He was using a play on Greek words; pater is Greek for father, and patria is Greek for family. Paul prays that out of the eternal and wonderful riches of His glory, we might be strengthened in our inner being with spiritual power for beginning, or continuing, and completing His work among those around us. His prayer asks that we be grounded and rooted in love. Love is that strong river of faith and hope that nourishes our roots and grounds us to overcome all obstacles and challenges. This follows yesterday's gospel lesson on the benevolent king that Jesus is; caring enough to provide for all people, starting with the poor. At yesterday's miraculous feeding of the 5,000, no questions were asked by Him as to who was there rightly or wrongly, no check was made on their credit or background - everyone was fed. Paul is saying basically the same thing; out of the love of God, who is the author and fountain of love, we supply physical, emotional, and spiritual love to all people, no questions asked. Paul is hinting, that if we truly knew how awesome God's love was, we would in awe share it with all people. "The breath, length, and height and depth" of that love that surpasses knowledge. It's like asking how many teaspoons of water are in the oceans of the world; and even then, that would be just the beginning of how awesome God's love truly is. The key is to receive it, enjoy it, and share it. Then, and only then, will God's work be fully accomplished in us and in the work we have been called to do.
Dear Reader, may Paul's prayer be just for you today. Receive it and begin to receive God's love like never before. Put away whatever in you has torn you away from that love, or from the love of others for you. This will bless you, your key relationships, your life's work and purpose, and the joy you can share with others.
PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You for Your awesome love. Share in me that which I need to be an awesome carrier and bearer of Your love. Bless me to overflowing, so that I may help quench the thirsty souls around me. Deepen my roots and ground me firmly in Your love; this I pray in the Name of He who blesses me with love, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! The weather in these parts reminds us that the coolness of God is necessary for the fullness of life; share it with someone today!
Eradio Valverde
