Ephesians 3:14-21 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 3:14-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, Verse 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. Verse 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, Verse 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Verse 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Verse 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Verse 20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, Verse 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Devotion
The power at work within us - it is the very spirit of Christ himself. This spirit plants us in the ever - blooming garden of God’s love, and thereafter our growing season never ends. Our roots extend deep and wide in this rich soil; our limbs reach high and far, exploring but never exhausting the wonders of God’s goodness. We read this text on Christmas Eve, when around us the earth lies dormant in winter’s thrall. But new life is coming into the world - Immanuel, God with us - and even now that life is coursing through our veins.
Prayer
Be near us, Lord Jesus, in this holy night and love us, we pray, so that we may bear the fruits of your love in all the world. Amen.