First Sunday Meditation: Enfolded In His Love

"The Lord is my Strength and my impenetrable Shield;

my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him,

and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and

with my song I will praise Him."

Psalm 28:7

 A PRAYER OF THE APOSTLE PAUL FOR

THE BELIEVERS AT EPHESUS AND FOR THE CHURCH TODAY

Ephesians 3:14-21

This epistle is often called the "twin" of Paul's letter to the Colossians, and may have

been a circular letter intended for a number of churches.  In fact, in some of

the older biblical manuscripts, the words, "at Ephesus" are missing.

Paul's message to believers both then and now remains clear.

The church,  the body of Christ, has been established by God in

His eternal purpose  through our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Him we have redemption, deliverance, and salvation

through His blood, in accordance with the riches of His glorious grace.

For this reason, seeing the greatness of this plan

by which you are built together in Christ, I bow my

knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is

named, that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes

it's title and derives its name.

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory,

to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the

inner man by the Holy Spirit, Himself indwelling your

innermost being and personality.

May Christ through your faith actually dwell in your hearts!

May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.

That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and

grasp with all the saints, God's devoted people, the experience of

that love- what is the breadth and length and height and depth of it;

That you may really come to know the love of Christ, which far

surpasses mere knowledge without experience; that you may be filled

through all your being, unto all the fullness of God, have the

richest measure of divine Presence, and become a body wholly

filled and flooded with God Himself!

Now to Him, Who, in consequence of the action of His power

that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do

super abundantly, far and above all that we dare ask or think,

infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or dreams-

To Him be glory in all the church and in Christ Jesus,

throughout all generations forever and ever.  Amen.

King Of Love

 A beautiful painting by

 Korean artist Yongsung Kim