For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength 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, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Ephesians 3:14-19
1) In the book of Ephesians, we see Paul praying for the church, that they may be "strengthened with power through the Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith." They need this strengthing for the dwelling of Christ more richly in their hearts!
2) The Spirit is God's Spirit. Desiring the Spirit is not just a hunger for spiritual experiences. Rather, it is a hungar for God himself!
3) This indwelling Spirit gives them strength to comprehend the dimensions of Jesus love, a knowledge of the love that surpasses knowledge. Help me have a massive view of the magnetude of your love!
4) The indwelling of the Spirit brings power and strength, but also relationship and intimacy with God and Jesus. Oh, Lord, this is what I crave. Relationship and closeness to you my Father, and strength to fulfil all that you have given me to do. I need your Spirit more than I have at the moment!
For this reason because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit (The Spirit-Holy Spirit) of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe...
5) The spirit referred to here is the Spirit of God, the Spirit who gives us wisdom about God and revelation of who he is. Lord, I want to know you more. As Paul prayed for the church, so I pray for myself. Give me the fullness of your Spirit more so that I may understand and know you more!
6) Paul also makes the point that the Spirit not only enables us to know God himself more, but that he also enables us to know the hope to which we are called. Oh, how we need to know the hope to which we are called. Hope deferred makes the heart sick! I want to know the hope which I have. This is a work of the Spirit of God in our souls.
7) Not only do we know the hope to which we are called, but we know that tidal wave of power that is for us who believe. Knowledge of this power is a massive boost of confidence for the mission. There is "immeasurable greatness" saving us and surging us forward!
Lord, my desire is know know you, love you, delight in you. I see scripture teaching that these longings are created and fulfilled by God the Spirit in our hearts. Father, you say that none of your children who ask for a gift will be given a curse (Luke 11:11-13). Your greatest gift is yourself. Pour out your Spirit!
Ephesians 1:15-19
5) The spirit referred to here is the Spirit of God, the Spirit who gives us wisdom about God and revelation of who he is. Lord, I want to know you more. As Paul prayed for the church, so I pray for myself. Give me the fullness of your Spirit more so that I may understand and know you more!
6) Paul also makes the point that the Spirit not only enables us to know God himself more, but that he also enables us to know the hope to which we are called. Oh, how we need to know the hope to which we are called. Hope deferred makes the heart sick! I want to know the hope which I have. This is a work of the Spirit of God in our souls.
7) Not only do we know the hope to which we are called, but we know that tidal wave of power that is for us who believe. Knowledge of this power is a massive boost of confidence for the mission. There is "immeasurable greatness" saving us and surging us forward!
Lord, my desire is know know you, love you, delight in you. I see scripture teaching that these longings are created and fulfilled by God the Spirit in our hearts. Father, you say that none of your children who ask for a gift will be given a curse (Luke 11:11-13). Your greatest gift is yourself. Pour out your Spirit!
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