Saturday, October 11, 2008

the love of God in Jesus

How great is the love of God in Jesus. If only we could just begin to understand. But it's more than just to try to understand, but to begin to experience.

I love this prayer of Paul:
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 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.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

To live in this love every day, the love that in Jesus we will live in forever. How wonderful. A challenge oftentimes, and of course we never measure up to the fullness of the maturity of that love in Jesus in this life. We can be filled with it, but God wants ever to enlarge our capacity for it. We want ever to grow and keep growing in that love. God will do it, as we keep trusting him and entrusting ourselves to his grace to us in Jesus.

4 comments:

preacherman said...

I love the prayers of Paul. You can tell he has such a personal relationship with God. I want to thank you Ted for sharing this with us all. I hope and pray that you and your wife have a wonderful weekend. You are such a blessing to my life. Thank you for being a source of strength and encouragement. You have been such a mentor.

Anonymous said...

i agree with kinney.
you have been a blessing and a source of encouragement.
i am grateful.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Kinney,
You're so kind, and thanks!

Yes, Deb and I had a wonderful time at the dunes in southwest Michigan. Really got a workout in climbing up some of that in the sand. Your thighs (as Deb said) and one's cardiovascular system get a sure workout, and I'm out of shape! It was great and the weather was wonderful.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Thanks, and both you and Kinney have been a blessing and source of encouragement to me, as well.