I Dare You

I’ve just picked out a few challenging phrases from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 (MSG).

I dare you to investigate your heart and see where you really stand.

This is my life work. (Do we know what our life work is?)

God handling all the details. (Do we let him do that?)

God saw to it that I was equipped (How he has equipped you?)

And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. (Do we proclaim Christ? Why not? See the support we get for doing that–next line!)

When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.

Paul responds to these thoughts by praying. (v. 14-19).

Paul’s Prayer

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.

I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love.

Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Prayer: Lord help us to recognize and understand that through you, we can do anything, far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in our wildest dreams! You enable us not by pushing us around but by working within us. Thanks God. Amen. (from verses 20-21)