Wednesday July 6, 2022

Today is Wednesday, July 6 and we continue our summer journey through chapter three of Ephesians.

I return to this familiar place every morning to seek God’s presence. I breathe deeply, still my body, quiet my mind, and draw near to the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, thank you for faithfully meeting me in this quiet corner. As the new day dawns, I long to hear a word from you. Speak to me through the sacred words of Ephesians and help me receive the unique message you have for me this morning. Amen.

In the morning I call to God and seek his presence with the words of Psalm 61.

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:2-4

Pause and Pray

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians continues and each day we are rewarded with more insight into God’s desire for his beloved children. God desires to give good gifts to me and the people I love. First, believers are given inner strength and power. Second, believers are given the very presence of Jesus himself living in their hearts. Christians are strengthened with God’s power for a reason and that reason is to make room for the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17a

The word Paul uses in verse seventeen that is translated in English as “dwell” in the original Greek is katoikeo which means “to deeply dwell, to settle in, to inhabit or settle permanently.” In the Old Testament the presence of the Lord God dwelled in the Temple of Israel. In the New Testament Jesus Christ the Logos, the Word of God, came to dwell among us, to move into our neighborhood, to live with and be one with us (John 1:1-14). As a result of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ now comes to dwell within us. Our human bodies are temples for God – living temples in which Jesus himself dwells through the power of the Holy Spirit. The New Living Translation of Ephesians 3:17, says, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts.”

Ask: Have I invited Jesus Christ to take up residence in my heart permanently? Do I make room for his presence to dwell every day?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for the strength and power you provide for daily life. In faith, I invite you into my heart in hopes that you will completely and permanently dwell there. Come into the cramped quarters of my soul and clear out the unnecessary clutter. I want to make abundant room for your indwelling presence. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17a

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider what message God has for me today as I ruminate on these words of holy scripture. I reflect on the people in whom I see evidence that the presence of Jesus Christ is dwelling. What is different about those who have Christ living in them? Alternatively, I consider those who exhibit an evident lack of Christ’s presence. What are my clues? How might I pray for them today? I reflect on places and circumstances in which Jesus Christ is noticeably present and at work and those places and circumstances in which Jesus is unmistakably absent. How might I invite God to enter into those places?

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord Jesus, come, I want more of your presence living in me. Abide in my heart, take up permanent residence in my soul, inhabit the deep recesses of my mind, and utterly invade all aspects of my life. Fill me full of the Holy Spirit and never leave or let me go.
Amen.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NRSV)

I leave this time of prayer, a living temple for God’s Holy Spirit to dwell. I take his love into the world and shine his light to all people.

Amen