The House You're Building

14  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,  15  from whom every family [ c ]  in heaven and on earth is named, 16  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  17  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  18  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  21  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.    Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)   One of the ...

[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which...

        Orient  John 17:1-26 This section of text is one of the most well known in Scripture.  The bible records an extended prayer by Jesus called the High Priestly Prayer.  Its content can be divided into 3 broad sections: v 1-6 Jesus prays for Himself, v 7-19 He prays for His disciples, and in v 20-26 He prays for future believers.  These recorded words are even more precious as after His prayer, He and His diciples cross the Kidron and Jesus is arrested.     Introduction Praying for another believer is a privilege and a challenge.  It is a privilege in the sense that we get to talk with God about our mutual friends.  We get to participate in divine communication.  We get to pour our heart out to One that has power.  We experience answered prayers and feel that in some small way we are doing something for a loved one.  Praying for others is also a challenge. ...

  Orient  John 16:16-33 In these two paragraphs of John chapter 16, we read Jesus’s last teaching before beginning His high priestly prayer.  His message focuses on His leaving and victory on the cross.  This teaching is connected to the previous part of the chapter [1]  as it is to their advantage if He goes away.  As we typically see in John, at first the disciples don’t understand Him fully and then receive spiritual insight.    Introduction I’m uncomfortable with long goodbyes-- especially when I know the person I’m parting from is someone I won’t see for a long time. It’s hard to put into words the multitude of emotions one experiences: joy from your time spent together, regret that the time has ended, and the longing to see them again.  My husband and I have been blessed with many dear friends and many of them live hours away.  Summer is typically our time to reconnect and it’s hard when we know we won’t se...