LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE – 10-29-2021

LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE
October 29, 2021

Prayer: I pray Lord, that we would know and show your love that surpasses knowledge–that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Amen

Scripture: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen Eph. 3:14-21 NASB (1995)

What does it mean to you in the midst of a hard day, an exhausting day, a day of tough decisions; to know that someone is praying for you? There is nothing more encouraging to me than to have someone pray over me and my circumstances. I believe that, “When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works.” Prayer is not a last resort; it should be our first response.

Take a look at these verses again; Paul prayed these words over the Ephesians so that they would not be distressed, distracted, or discouraged by his imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. Persecution swirled around them but Paul’s mission was clear, and he knew that the Source of all that he needed to carry out his mission was more than able to provide all that he needed, and that Source was only a prayer away.

Prayer is an essential piece of your relationship with God, just as communication is vital to any relationship. Satan tricks us into all kinds of excuses; we somehow think, “I got myself into this mess, I have to get myself out” or “God doesn’t want to hear about this problem.” Then there is always the, “There are children starving all over the world, I can’t bother God with this trivial matter.” These are all lies intended to keep us from drawing on the supernatural power of God.

Imagine if someone you love deeply was hurting and you had the power to heal, comfort, direct and change their circumstances. Since this issue is completely within your capabilities, and your love for them so deep; it would certainly not be an inconvenience to you. It would actually delight you and strengthen your relationship if they asked for your help! You desire nothing more than for them to express their need so that you could express your love for them. Now imagine how sad you would be if you knew they were hurting but they did not come to you for help, if somehow they did not feel close enough or important enough to you to ask. How would you feel?

God’s great love for you is immeasurable and indestructible. If it matters to you, you can be assured that it matters to Him. Lift up a prayer so that He can lift you up. Operate out of His love for you so that you can accomplish and overcome all that this life throws at you. A prayer turns circumstances that were supposed to slow you down into opportunities to be strengthened. God uses them as object lessons to show His great love for you, don’t deny Him that opportunity. His love desires to hear from us, to comfort and strengthen us and to provide more than just a solution: an opportunity to showcase His power and love for you. Give God access to your whole life: good days and bad, decisions and desires, relationships, students, family, feelings, fears, and faith. Ask Him to glorify Himself in your needs.

Copyright Kathy Branzell. To connect with the author, email [email protected]

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