DAY 32 FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

DAY 32

"18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." - Ephesians 3:18, 19

It's 5 a.m. in the morning, nothing going on but the howling wind, fresh coffee brewing and Hillsong's "All For Love" playing in the background. I've heard this song a thousand times, but one part gets to me every time.

" . . . Oh how many times have I broken Your heart but still You forgive if only I ask and how many times have You heard me pray draw near to me . . . "

I have an overwhelming feeling to thank God for loving me. Even when I act like a spoiled brat! He continually amazes me for His tender mercies and grace.

The Apostle Paul describes His love in words like breadth, length, height and depth. In essence so wide, so long, so high and so deep.

Matthew Henry summarized this passage as:

"The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells,
there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ!

1. The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks;
2. the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting;
3. the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery;
4. the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory.

Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fullness, may be said to be filled with the fullness of God."

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF GOD Romans chapter 8 says. Having a Daddy that loves us that much makes me feel safe and secure from the unknown that this mean world has in store. Wow, that's awesome. The very God who puts "the lighting bolt in place" is the very God who knows me, who provides for me and who restore me to the joy of my salvation. How cool is that!

I leave you with two closing thoughts:

1. God knows every step you will take today. Walk with boldness and in His ways.
2. The reason I write about my heavenly Daddy today is because I love him and also want to honor my earthly daddy, as he celebrates his 70th birthday today. It hasn't always been smooth for him and in fact the outward signs of love from his daddy was hard to come by. I have NEVER questioned his unconditional love me and his family. Here's wishing you the best day and God's blessing upon everything and everywhere you go.

Daddy,

I am so in awe that the Creator of EVERYTHING, knows my name and cares for me. Daddy you are magnificent, let me praise you with every fiber of my being. Daddy, bless my earthly dad today. Let him feel a completeness in You. Bless him and let him bask in the love of his family and the love of His Lord. Father, let him feel the love of his DADDY and know that he is royalty because he is a child of the King.

Praise Your Holy Name,

Your children,

Jody & Kimberly