Through the Bible - Deuteronomy 32-34, Acts 7:44-60
Good morning,
My wife Jean and I recently returned from a trip to Italy where, among other places, we enjoyed the sites of Rome, the Vatican, and St. Peter's basilica. Going through the St. Peter's one could easily be moved by the glory, the beauty, the ornateness of the paintings, mosaics, sculptures depicting Christ, the saints and other Biblical characters. Thousands of people thronged to the place daily with feelings of wonder and grandeur, but how many were transformed?
For today's verse we'll go to a familiar one that I probably quote at least once a year. With our consideration of "abiding" coupled with the glory of God I thought we'd go to Ephesians 3 today.
Eph 3:16 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. ESV
The Apostle Paul here prays for the true "riches of his glory" to be displayed in our hearts and lives through the power of the Spirit that dwells in us. Some time ago we had considered that this power "dunamis", is an explosive power that may not be noticeable from the outside until it is released from within.
The result of this power does three things for us as indicated in these verses. Paul prayed that we as believers would be strengthened in our being, rooted in love, and filled with the goodness of God. These come from the riches of God's grace lavished on us as His Spirit dwells, or abides in us, not in articles of fine gold and sculptures, but in love, faithfulness, comfort, strength and resounding joy which outshine the finest temples built by human hands centuries ago.
May you, may we be filled with the fullness of God that His glory might shine through us.
Psalm 67 God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us,
Selah
2 That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
NKJV
And cause His face to shine upon us,
Selah
2 That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 3:14-4:1
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 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.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ESV
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