Child of God

1 John 3:1

"See how very much our Father loves us, 

for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!"

I was waiting in line at Smashburger on Tuesday when a little girl hopped up on top of the booth at the sight of her father meeting them for lunch, "Hi Daddd-dddy!" she exclaimed, her little pigtails bobbing with glee. She couldn't get to him fast enough--to be held and admired and loved.  She kissed him "on this cheek" and then "on that cheek too," his face held tightly in her chubby, dimpled, little three year-old hands. He delighted in her, and she in him.

I did a little awwwww face and choked back the tears. I felt the sigh come out of my shoulders as they drooped longingly. I remember those days.  What a stark contrast to my interaction with my 13 year-old son, who winced, batted away my hand and pulled back when I tried to tousle his hair and love on him that morning. #toocoolformom #maybelater

This week, we are receiving God's love.  We're really chewing on how wide and long and high and deep it is. Letting it fill us. We're worshipping Him in it.  Spending time in love with our Savior. We're making a conscious effort to bask in His love and return it to him. We are choosing to be the three year-old girl with her daddy. I wonder how often God tries to give us His love when we bat away his hands?

Let's pray to be aware of His love. To feel it. To believe it.  To delight in one another! Meditate here, as his daughter--a child of the Living King--and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

For you are all children of the light and of the day; 

we don't belong to darkness and night. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, 

he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. 

Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. 

And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (Galatians 4:7)

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. (Romans 8:16)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romoans 8:14)

Which one means the most to you? Let's end our morning, with prayers that feel like cheek kisses for our Father.

Multiplied

Psalm 89:1

"Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! 

I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are."

absent words
just quiet space
lifted hearts
in His embrace.
open arms
receive His grace
fill us, Lord
in this our place.

Let's worship as He fills. The link to our worship song is below and the lyrics follow. May your filling be . . . multiplied.



"Multiplied" Video

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

(Multiplied)
(Oh multiplied)

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

These Halleluiahs be multiplied

(Your love is like radiant diamonds)
(Bursting inside us we cannot contain)
(Your love will surely come find us)
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

To Know This Love

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 

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. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, 

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 

according to his power that is at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus 

throughout all generations, for ever and ever!              

                                                                         Amen.

Let's take it in for a moment . . .

how wide

             how long

                          how high

                                       how deep

                                                     is the love of Christ.

Did you catch that last word? Amen. What a beautiful prayer. It is Paul's prayer for believers. His eternal prayer for you and me. 

This morning, let's make it our prayer for ourselves. May this beautiful prayer rise up in us as He fills us to the measure of all the fullness of God. When we pray Scripture we are always praying God's will. What joy to be confident in what we ask! If praying Scripture is new for you, don't sweat it! Piece of cake! Paraphrase away. There is no right or wrong--no formula. The NLT translates the prayer more casually and so beautifully. Or, if you'd like a little guide, feel free to pray this . . . 

I kneel before you, Father, for every family in heaven and on earth is named by you. You created us all.  I pray that out of your glorious riches, you will strengthen me with power through your Spirit. Strengthen me deep within my inner being--so that you, King Jesus, will live in my heart through faith.  Thank you that I am rooted and established in your love.  Lord, I pray I would have power--together with all believers--to grasp how wide and long and high and deep your love is for me. I want to know your amazing love that surpasses anything else I've ever known, so that I will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of  my God. I praise you now Lord, for you are able to do immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine. It's true because of your power that's at work in me! I praise you! Be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus and throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Isn't He wonderful? Be blessed, beloved, for He is lavishing His love over you this morning!