Monday 30 January
Ephesians 3.7 &14, 15 “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power…For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”
“For this reason I kneel…” What reason? Paul’s answer is the reason we all kneel before the Father – “the gift of God’s grace given us through the working of God’s power.” It’s a hard time to be a Christian in a world so broken. Yet by prayer and God’s grace we can have the same wide, generous, open-armed compassion for the world that brought Paul to his knees in prayer for the whole family of God, that is, every soul made in God’s image. By intercession we make ourselves conduits, sluices, through which God’s grace flows.
Tuesday 31 January
Ephesians 3.I6 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”
When the problems of the world, and the worries of our own lives, and the anxiety felt by whole communities of our country – when these and much more drain us of energy, joy and hope, think of what Paul prayed for, and hear him praying it for you. Then make it your own prayer, now, here: Lord strengthen me with power through your Spirit in my inner being…”
Wednesday 01 February
Ephesians 3.17 “So that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith.”
By faith in Christ we are made one with the Saviour, drawn into the very life of God. Christ dwells in our hearts, the risen life of Christ is within us and strengthens us in our inner being. But more than that, Christ is in us and we are in Him, so that “our lives are hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3.3) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Thursday 02 February
Ephesians 3.17-18 “And I pray that you being rooted and established in love may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Rooted is about being a tree with strong anchorage and full nourishment from deep roots. Established is about foundations, straight, true, sound, solid, and our foundation is the love of Christ. You can’t ever fully grasp the depth dimensions of God’s love in Christ; as well stand beneath Niagara with a bucket, or a thimble! Just stand under the deluge!
Friday 03 February
Ephesians 3.19 “And to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
To know what surpasses your knowledge, to understand the incomprehensible – that can only happen if God expands the horizons of our hearts and draws us ever more deeply into the mystery that Charles Wesley puzzled over and admitted defeat. “In vain the first-born seraph tries, to sound the depths of love divine.” We’ll never understand until we are in heaven. Till then we wonder, and worship at the one who “emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race.” Amazing Love!
Saturday 04 February
Ephesians 3. 20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
I don’t know about you but I can ask a lot, and I have quite a lively imagination. But they are not enough to outdo the One who is able to do immeasurably more than anything I can think of. We aren’t asked to be followers of Jesus in our own strength. Yes, at times it’s hard going, and we pray for strength, faith, help with hard decisions, and help for those we love – Remember, “He can do immeasurable more, and his power is at work within us.” We’re not on our own. We are in Christ, and He is in us, and as our Risen Lord it is his power that’s at work within us, renewing and reviving.
Sunday 05 February
Ephesians 3.21 “To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever.”
This whole passage is like an illuminated manuscript that places the love of God in Christ against a shining gold foil background. And that dazzling gold highlights who God is towards us; Love. Love beyond our grasp but within our reach. Love that the baffles the mind, but which the heart recognises. Love deeper than any needs we could ever have. Love beyond our imagination, but nearer than our own hearts.
So we make Paul’s prayer our own: May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, and may we be rooted and established in love, filled to the measure of the fullness of God.
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