“…and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge…” - Ephesians 3:19a (CSB)Paul says something that sounds almost contradictory.He prays that believers would know the love of Christ, and then immediately adds that this love surpasses knowledge. How can something be known and yet beyond knowing?This is the mystery of God’s love.Christ’s love is not unknowable, but it is inexhaustible. You can tr...  Read More

“…so that you may be able to comprehend… what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love.” - Ephesians 3:18 (CSB)Paul is not praying that believers would merely feel loved. He is praying that they would comprehend love.That matters, because Scripture does not treat love as vague encouragement. The love Paul is describing is not fragile affection. It is not emotional warmth that rises ...  Read More

“…being rooted and firmly established in love…” - Ephesians 3:17b (CSB)One of the most exhausting ways to live the Christian life is to treat God’s love like a finish line. We assume love is what God gives after we grow enough, obey enough, mature enough, or get our act together. We may not say it out loud, but we live as if God’s love increases when we do well and decreases when we fail.Paul will...  Read More

“…and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” - Ephesians 3:17a (CSB)Most of us are comfortable with a version of Jesus who visits.A Christ who shows up when life falls apart.A Christ we call when we are anxious.A Christ who offers comfort, encouragement, and a little spiritual help.But Paul prays for something far deeper than a visit. He prays that Christ would dwell in your heart.Th...  Read More

“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the Lord supports him with his hand.” - Psalm 37:24 (CSB)Psalm 37 ends this section with an image of remarkable tenderness. A person falls, but they are not overwhelmed, because the Lord supports them with His hand.But the full depth of that promise becomes clearest when we look at the hands of Christ.The Bible does not present God’s support as sen...  Read More

“The steps of a person are established by the Lord…” - Psalm 37:23a (CSB)One of the reasons faith feels so difficult is that we want it to function like a blueprint. We want God to show us the whole plan, explain the whole future, and confirm the whole outcome before we move.But Psalm 37 does not speak that way. It speaks of steps.God does not promise to give you the entire map. He promises to est...  Read More