Paul’s prayer is my prayer for you today:
I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:17-21 ERV
Let’s break this prayer down a bit:
In Galatians 2:20 NASB we read,
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and have placed your faith in His hands, He lives IN you.
Friend, God is love (1 John 4:8). When you remain in growing in God, your love for Him, His word, and others grows stronger. May your foundation in life be built on His Love.
In Matthew 22:36-40 NIV Jesus was asked a question by a Pharisee. Here is His reply:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I know when I seek and love God first, and strive to love Him with ALL my heart, soul, mind, and strength, loving self and others comes so much easier. Those words, first spoken by God in Deuteronomy 6:4, have been a part of my daily prayer for my family. May you strive daily to love God first with all you’ve got.
In my Life Application Study Bible, the notes from verses 17-19 reads:
God’s love is total, says Paul. It reaches every corner of our experience. It is wide – it covers the breadth of our own experience, and it reaches out to the whole world. God’s love is long – it continues the length of our lives. It is high – it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. His love is deep – it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God’s love.
Y’all, GOD LOVES YOU!
God has an abundance to give to you. He has everything you’ll ever need. NEED…not necessarily want…but through loving Christ, I pray you’ll discover that what you really want is HIM! In Colossians 2:10 ERV it is confirmed that when you are in Christ and He is in you, you are full…full of love, hope, peace, and a plethora of goodness He has to offer.
And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.
In The Message translation of Colossians 2:10 you see that His power trumps all the world has to offer:
You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
Speaking of The Message translation, read Ephesians 3:17-21. It may be more relatable for you:
I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Dear one, this is my prayer for you today. No matter what translation you read it in, know that God is for you, not against you. His love is extraordinary! You have His love and power in you. Believe it and live it!
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
