Daily Devotional

Topic: The Compelling Love

Bible Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21

"... 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" (v. 17-18 - NIV).

Love is the compelling force that makes us inconvenience ourselves to seek the wellbeing of others. In verse 13 Paul out of empathy for the Ephesian believers wrote "l beg you then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit" Paul did not make light of the matter that his imprisonment might make the believers loose hope as touching the power of God to protect those who believe in Him. May we always be apprehensive of how our actions may play out on others.

See vs. 14-19: In view of the above he entered into intercessory prayers for them. He made the following specific petitions on their behalf and for us as well
1. God should give them inner strength through the Holy Spirit. This gives the Christian the ability not to break under pressure.                          
2. He prayed for a prevailing faith that is founded on Christ (as opposed to the fear that will erode their confidence as believers).                                                   3. That they should be established in love. This is the foundation of Christianity (Jn. 3:16).
The love God has for us made Him send Jesus to die for us. It is only when we are able to appreciate the plight of others as ours that we can manifest godly love towards them. The fabric of our Christian family can only be woven together with the spool of love otherwise we will remain as individual strands. This is not the will of God. United in love we as Christians will acquire the ability to experience the love of God in greater dimensions. (As we sow love for one another we harvest love for ourselves). God is love. The more we live in love the more we are changed to resemble God.

Vs 20-21: As we loose ourselves to the infinite power of the Almighty, to work out His purpose in us and through us, the glory will ever be ascribed unto Him through all generations.

Action: Within the week reach out in love to someone outside your usual circle and be a channel through which Christ spreads His love.

Prayer Points                                  
1. God fill our hearts with love to touch lives to Your glory.
2. Give us inner strength to stand for you no matter what happens.
3. Provide for us the things we need to demonstrate love in action not in sermons.

#Family Altar is a daily devotional of the Presbyterian Church#