Ephesians 1:15-17

"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints (the people of God)" Ephesians 1:15.

Jesus set before a hypocritical mob, two new commandments... Paul sets before us in this, and the next few verses, a beautiful example of "Love God and one another", in His prayer. On one hand, we should commend people, like Paul for being such a wonderful example... and on the other hand, we must praise God for speaking to us through them and loving us through them.

You and I have felt it.... God's urging us to get out of bed in the middle of the night to pray for someone... sometimes, He doesn't even tell us who! On occasion, even leading us to putting off food or some provision in more serious matters.

That's His love for that someone, pushing out through our carnality... It's His Spirit pushing our flesh down, so that God's power "in love" can reach out on behalf of others. Listen to Paul, now... imprisoned for his faith. You can feel God's love shining through in these few verses.

16. "I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers."

17. "[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him"

Paul modeled praying... "without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17... "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world." Romans 1:8... "For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you" Romans 1:9... "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you," Philippians 1:3... "always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all," Philippians 1:4... "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you," Colossians 1:3... "We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;" 1 Thessalonians 1:2.

Can we say we love one another and never bring each other before The Lord... Search our hearts today, Lord Jesus... humble us, Father... take away our distractions, and quicken our hearts, that we might be greater examples of Your Love! Amen!

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 1:18 next time.

I love you.