Todaywe're continuing to look at the prayer, the petition that the Apostle Paul madefor the church at Ephesus here in Ephesians 3:14-19. It's very important thatwe remember that as Paul prayed this prayer, these four petitions have to dowith Christian growth, Christian maturity. Paul was concerned that every mancould be made perfect, mature in Jesus Christ. That was his goal. Not just towin people to Christ and say, "Oh, another one's going to heaven."But that he could present these dear believers before Christ as mature peoplewho have learned to live for the Lord, love the Lord, and let the Lord live Hislife through their lives. (Colossians 1:27-29).

Myfriend, this is what Paul toiled, struggled, and prayed for. This is what weneed, to “be filled with all the fullness of God”. This is whatwe need to pray for other believers. In verse 14, Paul said, "For thisreason I bow my knees." He had a purpose when he prayed. I mean, when Ipray, I want something to happen. I want God to make a difference in the livesof people. I pray for a reason, not just to say some words with my head bowedand my eyes closed, but praying with purpose.

It'sso important we understand that when we are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ, andwe are obedient to the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us and gives us an assignment,that there is an energy that begins at that moment of obedience. It's anemotional energy. It's a physical energy. It's a mental energy. Most of all,it's a spiritual energy that energizes us to do the will of God. So, with ourmind, we say, "I want to do the will of God. I will do the will ofGod." But then when we're obedient to put our foot forward, to raise ourhand to say, "Here I am, Lord, send me." Or then we go forward in theservice, go to Bible college, or volunteer to take that Sunday school class, orwhatever it is, at that moment of obedience, we have a new energy and power todo God's will.

Toget out of bed in obedience and spend another 10 minutes before we leave forwork, reading our Bibles, and spending some time in prayer with the Lord,asking for grace for the day, dealing with the issues of the day in prayerbefore we begin the day. That energy that comes when we're obedient to read HisWord, obedient to pray, obedient to go to church, obedient to share our faithwith others around us. That's when we experience the energizing strength andpower of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Paulsays, "That's what I'm praying for, that Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith." It's by faith we live. We do not walk by sight. We do notlook at the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen, the thingsthat are eternal. We see God at work around us. We join Him in that work. Webecome a part of what He's doing. We're co-laborers with God and with others asthe Gospel is being shared. We then experience God in a new and a fresh wayevery day.

ThenPaul prays that, "you may be able tocomprehend with all the saints ... and be filled with all the fullness of God”. We both comprehend and apprehend.Comprehend means that we mentally know this is what God's truth is. Toapprehend means that we make it our own. We grab hold of it. We lay hold on GodHimself and know it's God, Christ, the Holy Spirit working in us to do the willof God.

Oh,my friend, what a wonderful life this is. It is then that we experience the “widthand length and depth and height of God's love. It is immeasurable. It's allabout the love of Christ that's found in the redemptive work of Christ on thecross of Calvary. We experience that love and we are filled with thefullness of God. We express God's life through our life. People see God in us. Because you'refilled with the fullness of God, which is being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Godbless you as you meditate on these truths today for the glory of God.