3 day plan

Walk in Power - Part 2

Day 1 of 3

NIV

Ephesians 3:17-20

17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now 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,

God loves you. It can seem like such a throwaway statement and yet it is the foundation of everything. Deeply knowing that we are loved by God is the conduit for his power working in us. It fills us to overflowing.

This love opens us up to trust. When I lose sight of God’s love for me and how he is working for my good, I stop trusting that he is able to do more than I ask or imagine. Often this is because it doesn’t look the way I was planning or asking for.

This love opens us up for his power to work within us. When I know that I am loved, I can share vulnerably and give my struggles to him. He works to transform me through his power (even if it takes far longer than I would like!). This flows out to those around me as I become a more loving, peace-filled and purpose-driven person.

Question
Do you know deeply that God loves you?

Prayer
May I know your love that surpasses knowledge so that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of you. I trust that your power is at work within me as you are able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine. Amen.

Days

Ephesians 3:1-21

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now 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, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.