Sept. 12, 2011
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory if His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 New American Standard
A long time ago you were prayed for: to have the “eyes of your heart” opened. The Heart-opening One heard your name being asked to make your heart come alive. It is the only way to see out of your heart. You have to be made alive in your heart … alive to see .. alive to be loved .. and alive to love as well. You can’t “see” without it. God wants you to have a clear mind .. a clean mind .. and an unshackled mind. It’s hard to see with a barely alive heart and a mind filled with anxiety and clutter. So .. you were prayed for. He prayed for you almost two thousand years ago. He didn’t know you but he already knew how to pray for you so that you would know the true riches of being called to live in Christ. You were prayed for specifically to know “others” just like you .. saints really .. made alive in Christ .. living everyday in the same power that raised Him from the dead. Your once un-saint-like life has been transformed from the inside out by His incomparable power of grace .. forgiveness .. love .. and resurrection. Do you believe it all perfectly? No…! Even with your eyes opened you’ll still face moments of questions .. moments of real temptation to turn back .. and moments guilt-gasping memories that will try to turn you away. But you’ve been prayed for: prayed to see and live with your heart open .. your mind made new .. and your life gripped with grave-raising grace. You’re not walking alone today. The One who designed your heart and gives you His heart dwells in you. He wants you to see .. to see how much you are loved .. to see how alive you are in Him .. and to share that life with others. You’ve been prayed for. There’s no need to try to live on your own. You’ve been prayed for. It only takes a moment …
“These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:19-20 New American Standard
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Incomparably Prayed For Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)