November 8, 2021 -- Ephesians 3:14-19 -- Receiving the Love of God

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength 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, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV

Yesterday Pastor Michael Jaatinen noted that it is the gift of God the Father to strengthened those who pray, and to strengthen them by the Spirit so that they will comprehend the love of God given us in Christ. Then Jaatinen gave this interesting explanation.

The breadth of Jesus’ love covers all the family of God, in every generation past, present and covers all believers until He returns.

The length of Christ’s love is from eternity to eternity—it is never-ending.

The height of Christ’s love lifts us to heaven, where He is seated as our Intercessor.

The depths of love is evidenced by the fact that Jesus left heaven and took on our flesh.

There is no limit to the love of the Father; we do need the strength of the Holy Spirit living in us to clear away our sin cluttered lives. We need the Spirit to renew us from the inside out so that we can receive this love of Jesus and by it be filled with the fullness of God.

If you are not experiencing the love of God—pray for it. Pray for the Father to give you the Spirit.

If you are not experiencing the love of God—confess you sins. Our sins hinder our walk with God.

If you are not experiencing the love of God—read the Word. He speaks His love to us most clearly in Jesus, and the pages of Scripture are saturated with the presence of Jesus our King.

If you are not experiencing the love of God—tell a fellow Christian whose walk you admire and pray together. Seek this blessing from God!

Holy Spirit, powerful Consoler, sacred Bond of the Father and the Son, Hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it your loving dominion. Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of your Love so that I may be wholly subject to you. We believe that when you dwell in us, you also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Deign, therefore, to come to me, Consoler of abandoned souls, and Protector of the needy. Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering. Come and purify me. Let no evil desire take possession of me. You love the humble and resist the proud. Come to me, glory of the living, and hope of the dying. Lead me by your grace that I may always be pleasing to you. Amen.

Prayer attributed to St. Augustine (354 A.D. - 430 A.D.)

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