To the Rescue

For the last three mornings I have awaken with the these words filling my heart, “I will rescue you”.

The words come from a song I hear frequently on Pandora. It’s sung by Lauren Daigle, Rescue.

“I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you

I hear the whisper underneath your breath
I hear you whisper you have nothing left

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you

Oh, I will rescue you”

I have dear friends and family who are going through some very trying times. Their emotions are raw, their sleep has been stolen, anxiety is high, and they need to know that the Lord has not abandon them. He’s here saying, “I will rescue you”.

Yesterday I wrote about perspective. David facing Goliath was one of the examples that I used. The odds of success seemed insurmountable in the natural way of thinking. The entire army of Israel had been sidelined with fear.

But God.

” 36 I have killed both a lion and a bear; and as your servant I will kill this uncircumcised Philistine, too, since he has dared to taunt the armies of the living God. 37 The Eternal One, who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine… 45 You come to me carrying a sword and spear and javelin as your weapons, but I come armed with the name of the Eternal One, the Commander of heavenly armies, the True God of the armies of Israel, the One you have insulted46 This very day, the Eternal One will give you into my hands. I will strike you down and cut off your head, and I will feed the birds of the air and the wild animals of the fields with the flesh of your Philistine warriors. Then all the land will know the True God is with Israel,” I Samuel 17:35-46 VOICE

David’s enemy was huge, but God was greater. Goliath was an “uncircumcised Philistine”. This phrase is crucial to the story. You see, when God promised Abraham that He would be the God of Abraham’s descendants, the Israelites, the promise was sealed with a blood covenant of circumcision. That way, Israel would always be aware of the promise God had made them.

God has also made a promise to us.

 Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 NLV

“I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap. 16 I am lonely and troubled.
Show that you care and have pity on me.” Psalm 25:15-16 CEV

These are God’s promises. Listen to His words, “I will rescue you!”

Steadfast & Immovable

Last weekend while Dave & I were at the Grand Canyon I was intrigued by the trees that grew with such twisted trunks.

I did a quick on-line search and found that the twisted growth was attributed to the rocky ground, exposed roots and the windy conditions near the canyons rim. I took several pictures but was disappointed that I couldn’t capture their natural beauty.

These trees that grew up through the boulders, not only survived but thrived.

Imagine that. Surviving and thriving in adverse and harsh conditions. You know I’m going to apply this to Scripture, right?

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

The King James version of this verse says that we are to be steadfast and immovable, like those trees I admired so much at the Grand Canyon. They don’t budge in the storm. They bend but they remain steadfast.

 Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

The Christian life is not one without storms or battles. However, we are promised the victory and the ability to remain standing when the storm passes, not in our own strength but because of God’s infallible word.

Our victory in this life comes from our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross.

Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victoryNo one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

The Apostle Paul writes that we are more than conquerors. I once asked the Lord “How do we become more than conquerors”? To be a conqueror means we win the battle but what makes us more than conquerors? It’s when we follow Him, trust Him to defeat the enemy and then enjoy the victory.

 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:37 CEV

Like Gideon and his 300 men. They blew the trumpets, revealed their torches but they stood on the rim above the camp and let the enemy defeat themselves. More than conquerors.

Be encouraged today. Stand. Steadfast. Immovable.

Victory at Fear Spring

I am really enjoying this look at Gideon’s life and the way God used him. I hope you are too.

When we left Gideon, he had destroyed the altar of Baal, and the Lord told him he would defeat the nations who were out to destroy Israel. Gideon sounded a trumpet, and his neighbors came to enlist in the fight. Messengers were sent to the surrounding tribes and more fighting men arrived.

Gideon had an army.

“Then they set out toward the enemy camp.

36-37 Gideon prayed to God, “I know that you promised to help me rescue Israel, but I need proof. Tonight I’ll spread a sheep skin on the stone floor of that threshing-place over there. If you really will help me rescue Israel, then tomorrow morning let there be dew on the skin, but let the stone floor be dry.”

38 And that’s just what happened. Early the next morning, Gideon got up and checked the sheep skin. He squeezed out enough water to fill a bowl. 39 But Gideon prayed to God again. “Don’t be angry with me,” Gideon said. “Let me try this just one more time, so I’ll really be sure you’ll help me. Only this time, let the skin be dry and the stone floor be wet.”

40 That night, God made the stone floor wet with dew, but he kept the sheep skin dry.” Judges 6:335-40 CEV

Let me repeat what I said a few days back. God doesn’t mind honest questions. Gideon was putting his life and the life of his men on the line, and he needed to be sure that God was leading him in this battle.

Gideon and his army went and camped at “Fear Springs”. Somehow that seems appropriate. This was the place where the Lord would remove all fear in a very unusual way. He began to reduce the size of the army.

“The Lord said, “Gideon, your army is too big. I can’t let you win with this many soldiers. The Israelites would think that they had won the battle all by themselves and that I didn’t have anything to do with it.” Judges 7:2 CEV

Everyone who was afraid to fight was told to go home. Twenty-two thousand, two-thirds of the soldiers, went home. The Lord told Gideon you still have too many men. Take them to the Spring to drink. Separate the men into two groups – those who lay down to drink from the spring and those who scoop the water up in their hands. Of the ten thousand who remained only 300 scooped up the water; Gideon sent the rest home.

 Then Gideon gave these orders, ‘You 300 men stay here. The rest of you may go home, but leave your food and trumpets with us.’ Gideon’s army camp was on top of a hill overlooking the Midianite camp in the valley.” Judges 7:8 CEV

It wasn’t just the Midianites that Gideon was about to face.

All the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern nations got together and crossed the Jordan River. Then they invaded the land of Israel and set up camp in Jezreel Valley.” Judges 6:33 CEV

Gideon is left with 300 men and God’s promise to be with them to fight the armies of these nations. Before the physical battle, they first had to win the mental and emotional battle. They had to conquer the battle at “Fear Springs”.

We face that same battle. Tomorrow we’ll cover the physical battle and the victory but today I encourage you to face “Fear Springs” and let the Lord show you how you can trust Him in the face of overwhelming odds.

Hang In There

I hope you took time to go to Judges, chapters 6 through 8 and read about Gideon’s conversation with the Lord. It’s a great story of God’s patience and provision.

“Then the Lord himself said, “Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.”

15 Gideon replied, “But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest one in Manasseh, and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”

16 “Gideon,” the Lord answered, “you can rescue Israel because I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.” Judges 6:14-16 CEV

This morning it’s not about writing a thought that will inspire or encourage; it’s about DOING what we have already been taught. We should never stop learning, never stop receiving good teaching but it’s imperative that we LIVE what we hear.

“17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.

19 My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. 20 Anger does not help you live the way God wants. 21 So get rid of everything evil in your lives—every kind of wrong you do. Be humble and accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts. This teaching can save you.

22 Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. 23 Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror 24 and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked. 25 But when you look into God’s perfect law that sets people free, pay attention to it. If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard.” James 1:17-25 ERV

The Lord who spoke to Gideon is the same Lord who speaks to us. He hasn’t and doesn’t change. He took Gideon, the least important man in his community, and used him to bring deliverance to his nation.

When the Lord speaks into our lives He backs His word with His presence. He doesn’t participate in idle conversation. His word has power, and He invests that power in us. Even when we are timid like Gideon, we have God’s promise.

Hang in there and watch the Father bring His word to pass.

Break Every Chain

I just read and heard a young woman’s prayer at her high school graduation. It was a prayer of power for her fellow students, faculty, parents and friends.

It was a prayer of power for their futures, breaking addiction, depression, oppression, and setting them on a path of knowing God deeply and walking in His presence. It is a prayer that I said a heartfelt AMEN to, praying those words with her over my family, friends and co-workers.

It was the words of Jesus, words that are filled with truth and power. Words that bring about that change we were talking about yesterday.

Jesus knew the power of God’s word. He returned the from desert where He had been tempted by Satan. Satan tempted Him with power, possessions and position. Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written”.

 Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue as he always did. He stood up to read. 17 The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. He opened the book and found the place where this is written:

18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor.
He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.
He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.

20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the helper, and sat down. As everyone in the synagogue watched him closely, 21 he began to speak to them. He said, “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true!” Luke 4:16-21 ERV

Jesus brought that same power that He had used to defeat Satan to the people in the synagogue. “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true”!

While you read these words, this very minute, they are coming true for you! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The words He spoke to them, He also speaks over us. The freedom and the power that infused the word of God then is the same for today.

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13 ERV

There’s a song that is filling my heart as I finish this writing. It is my prayer for you. “I Speak Jesus”

“I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

‘Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire”

I tell you today that Jesus paid the price and broke the chains that imprisoned you!

What Happened in Hell?

After the crucifixion the world thought that Jesus was dead and no longer a threat but they were so wrong.

Jesus went to hell and defeated satan and his demons. When He rose from the tomb He emerged as the Champion of Champions.

God lives fully in Christ. 10 And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority. 11 Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. 12 And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. 13 You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.

14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:9-15

Here’s a brief recap of the above.

All the fullness of God lives in Christ and since we are in Christ all God’s fullness lives in us. All of His power, faith, love and righteousness are ours – we need to renew our minds to what God has done for us!

By Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been raised to new life and our old sinful nature has been circumcised – it has been cut away. All of our sins have been forgiven and we have been made alive in God – a new creature, a whole new species of being.

God the Father wiped out all the charges of sin that were against us when He nailed them to the cross and they were blotted out by Jesus’ blood! I like to think of it as this – He crashed the hard drive, and all the evidence of our sin was lost forever!!!

Jesus defeated all the forces of hell, and He led them through the streets of the spirit realm, striped of power. The picture painted here is of a Roman ruler parading a defeated monarch through the streets of his capital city, naked. He did this to prove to the monarch’s subjects that their king had been defeated completely, humiliated and unable to control what was forced upon him. This is what Jesus did to Satan when he was placed in the tomb. He marched into hell; gather up Satan and paraded him through all the streets of hell – naked – striped of the keys of death, hell and the grave – striped of all his power – to prove that Jesus is Lord!

Oh my goodness, if you’re not shouting by now – you’re in need of resuscitation!

Sing it with me – He is Lord, He is Lord, He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

He did this for you and me. He didn’t have to come to earth to have power over Satan, He had it from the beginning. But He came to die and in death defeat Satan for us – we were the ones under his rule. What He did in hell, He did as our substitute, and he defeated the devil and sin on our behalf so that we could have the fullness of the Father operating in our lives!

Glory Hallelujah!!!

A Time for Review

Our youngest grandson is going to be taking some standardized tests in the next few days. Classroom time and home time are being used to review information that may be included on the test. It’s being taken very seriously.

This morning, I was reviewing some of my favorite Scripture verses. I realized that these verses are so much a part of my thinking that I quote them without even realizing it. King David said, “Your word I have hid in my heart that I won’t sin against You”.

We will all be faced to difficult situations. Our enemies maybe physical, mental, emotional or spiritual but testing will come. God isn’t the One who tempts or tests; we have a real enemy who tries to defeat us. Jesus is here to give us victory.

Remember when Jesus went to the desert to fast and pray? He was there 40 days, and the devil came to tempt Him three times. Jesus was ready for the test. Each temptation was answered with it is written, it is written, it is written. And in frustration the devil left him alone for a more convenient time.

I’m here today and every day to prepare you for tests that you will be facing. Let’s take a look at the answers to questions.

“So overflowing is his kindness toward us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved;” Ephesians 1:7 TLB

“Your love is faithful, Lord, and even the clouds in the sky can depend on you. Your decisions are always fair. They are firm like mountains, deep like the sea, and all people and animals are under your care. Your love is a treasure, and everyone finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:5-7 CEV

“The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.” Psalm 91:3-4 CEV

“The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick,  and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:3-5 CEV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.” Isaiah 26:3 CEV

Only a couple more to share with you – but I want you to see the power and protection that God places over us. He will not abandon us, he will not leave us helpless!

He is faithful and His word is true!

“Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food. 16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live. 17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere.” Psalm 145:13-18 CEV

I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume. II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

I pray that our arsenal is filled with spiritual ammunition so that when the enemy strikes, the first words out of our mouths are “it is written”. When we make our favorite verses a part of our daily review Christ will lead us to victory!

Working With & Not Alone

Have you ever thought about who you will want to talk to when you get to heaven?

Mercy Me’s song, “I Can Only Imagine”, immediately comes to mind. Beholding the face of Jesus, being in the Father’s presence, experiencing the total unfiltered expression of their goodness and holiness. I can only imagine!

But after the first millennium or two I think I would like to visit with some of my Bible heroes.

David, Moses, Daniel, the 3 Hebrew children, Peter, Paul, Rahab a prostitute and so many others.

These people are all accredited with doing great things with God. Yes, I said “with” God.

Too many times, we Christians try to do things “for” God when we should be working “with” Him. That is one of the foundational truths of our victory in Christ. When we try to do things in our own efforts, we will fail but when we know that we are “with” God we will succeed.

As I was completing my mental list of those whose lives had pleased God, I thought of God himself. How in each and every circumstance above, He considered not the ability of the man but His ability working through them.

Why would God choose a man who stuttered, a woman who was a prostitute, a teenage boy, young men who had been taken into captivity in a foreign kingdom, a fisherman and man who betrayed him, a man who had as his goal to kill every christian he found and more. If God had considered their past, their failings and shortcomings, He wouldn’t have chosen any of these folks.

A Bible teacher I listen to is known for saying “God hasn’t had anyone qualified working for Him yet”. What God does consider is His word. He knows that His word works, and it will effect a change in our lives.

“Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say, ‘For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.’

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. ” Romans 8: 35-37

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. ” II Corinthians 2:14

“But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” I Corinthians 15:57-58

There are so many verses in God’s word that say He has already given us the victory; we simply need to keep our focus on His word and not on our circumstances.

Think about this today – God has considered you today and found you valuable and worthy of use. Let Him work through you.

“Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us, 4 because everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. 5 It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5

It is God working through us to accomplish His purpose in our lives and with us to see His love carried to the world.

Nothing Is Impossible

I remember a number of years ago when Kim and I climbed Camelback Mountain here in Phoenix. Let me rephrase that, I attempted to climb the mountain, and my lack of success kept Kim from completing her climb.

It was an amazing experience. A challenge for sure; I’m glad I had the opportunity to experience it. It left an indelible impression in my heart and my mind. There was a viewpoint along the way where we stopped to take a picture of sprawling metropolitan area below. The city seemed endless.

Just days before I had been reading about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and it had been hard to imagine the greatness of the exodus until I stopped to take in this view. Now, the story wasn’t just words on a page; the massive undertaking that God had called Moses to became real.

Can you imagine moving a population the size of San Diego, Phoenix, Philadelphia or Dallas? This is what the Lord had Moses do!!! Yikes. The scripture tells us there were 600,000 men plus the women and children.

I was figuring that if only 500,000 men were married and those couples only had 1 child (which would be rare) there would be a minimum of 1.6 million people and according to the US Census 2010 the cities listed above ranged from 1.2-1.6 million in population.

Now, I understand that the Israelites didn’t have all the skyscrapers and business districts that we have in modern times, but they still had to have housing, pasture lands and roads leading from one community to another.

And what if overnight everyone was gone. They all took off for the desert…WOW!!

And now Moses has them at the shore of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army racing in behind them…

God Help!!!!

and he did. He put that wonderful cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians. It gave light to Israel and put Egypt in darkness. He caused the winds to blow and the water to hold back in walls while the Israelites walked across on dry ground.

It’s not just a story that kids hear in Sunday School – it’s real, it’s true and it’s a sign of God’s amazing love!

“30 On that day, when the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore, they knew that the Lord had saved them. 31 Because of the mighty power he had used against the Egyptians, the Israelites worshiped him and trusted him and his servant Moses.” Exodus 14:30-31 CEV

And then Moses led them all in song – can you imagine the party on the other side of the Red Sea…

“I sing praises to the Lord for his great victory! He has thrown the horses and their rider into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the Lord— he is my God and the God of my ancestors. 3 The Lord is his name, and he is a warrior!” Exodus 15:1-3

This is our God – our Mighty God!

“Our Lord, no other gods compare with you— Majestic and holy! Fearsome and glorious! Miracle worker! 12 When you signaled with your right hand, your enemies were swallowed deep into the earth.” Exodus 15:11-12 CEV

What is it today that you are facing – nothing is too big for our God!

At Work in Us

 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.” Ephesians 3:20 ERV

At home this morning, with my favorite coffee cup in hand, I continue to focus on the mighty, never-ending, precious love of God.

Reading in Matthew, chapter 14, I was reminded of the account of John the Baptist’ death. The ruler, Herod, was bothered greatly by the reports and miracles of Jesus’ ministry. He made comment that he believed John the Baptist had come back to life.

You see, he had beheaded John the Baptist out of purely selfish motives. He knew John was a man of God but ordered his death anyway and now he felt John had come back from the grave.

Jesus dearly loved his cousin and was grieving his death. Jesus told his disciples he was going into the desert to be alone. But the crowd found out about it and got to the place before He did.

 When He got out of the boat, He saw many people. He had loving-pity for them and healed those who were sick.” Matthew 14:14 NLV

Not only did Jesus heal the sick, He fed the hungry with five loaves and two fish.

 He told the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to His followers. The followers gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish after the people were finished eating.” Matthew 14:19-20 NLV

It was the loving compassion of our heavenly Father that moved through Jesus to heal the sick and it was also His loving-compassion that provided food for their bodies. Jesus, in his grief, didn’t stop His work of showing out the love of God.

 God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us.” Ephesians 3:20 NLV

But Jesus’ day wasn’t over. He told the disciples to go back to the other side of the lake, sent the people away and then spent time alone with the Father in prayer (the thing He had intended to do from the beginning).

 After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 NLV

The disciples encountered a storm on the lake and were in fear of the boat sinking. Jesus had prayed all night and just before the light of day, the Bible says, He came walking on the water.

The disciples were afraid and thought they had seen a ghost. Jesus called out to them, “Don’t be afraid”. That’s when Peter spoke up, “Lord, if it’s You let me come out to You”. Jesus said, “Come on out Peter”.

Peter started walking on the water to Jesus (according to the power of God) but when he saw the waves and felt the wind he took his eyes off Jesus, entered into fear again, and began to sink. Jesus lifted him up and they walked to the boat.

Jesus question to Peter was “why did you doubt”. I think He asks the same question of us on so many occasions.

 Those in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, “For sure, You are the Son of God!” Matthew 14:33 NLV

This is what the Apostle Paul wanted us to see and understand. The power of God working in us and that power was/is activated by God’s love for us. We need to understand that.

“I pray that because of the riches of His shining-greatness, He will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. 18 I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. 19 I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.

20 God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us.” Ephesians 3:16-20 CEV

And I pray that for each of us – may we be strong in the love of God and be filled with Him, so that His power will be working through us!