I Kneel Before The Father

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may 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, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Seasons greetings is an odd phrase. Actually when you stop to think about it, what does it really mean? Is it "Greetings to you friend in the light it being cold and snowy and almost the end of the current calendar year"? Could it be another way of telling someone "Merry Christmas" in a secular manner intended not to offend anyone? Personally I think it just plain misses the mark regardless of what the intent is. Merry Christmas says it all.

           

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians makes no bones about the purpose of his life and ministry. He just lays it out there for all to see and comprehend. He starts off by showing humility with verse 14. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  Paul acknowledges the superiority of the Father and the place and all mortals have in relation to the Father. God was before all mankind. He created mankind and we, just as Paul must remember or place in the hierarchy of things. God is God and we are not. 

Paul goes on with "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may 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, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  With Christ dwelling in our hearts, and being rooted and established in love, that we may have the power to grasp Christ's love for us. That is the crux of Paul's prayer to God our Father. I find this a wonderful, powerful and complete prayer that Paul offers on behalf of the Ephesians.  Friends this should be our expression of love for one another in the faith. It also serves as a reminder that this wish extends to all those outside the faith. That all would come to know Christ is what Christianity is all about. It's not just about giving gifts, attending pageants or concerts, or having a live Nativity scene. Rather, it is about reaching out in word, deed and prayer not just at Christmas but every day of the year. Please join me in sharing Paul's prayer today and everyday. That's a great way to show love!

PRAYER: Father I pray that out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen all with power through Your Holy Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in all hearts through faith. And I pray that all people, being rooted and established in love, may 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, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that all mankind may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Amen.