Morning Devotional 071825 Live a Life of Faith in Christ!

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

July 19, 2025

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 This is why I kneel before the Father. 15 Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16 I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17 I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18 I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19 I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God. 20 Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; 21 glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen.

Good Morning! Glory to God who can do far beyond our imagination!

Throughout Paul’s letters, we find examples of his prayers on behalf of others. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have. God is listening and ready to support us in all our daily journeys. During times of trial, God is there to support and love us. During the happy times, God is there to celebrate with us. 

Some might ask, if God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He just fix everything? Struggle and challenge are necessary for us to learn. Those are the right words, but do we believe that? Somewhere, a voice inside us is saying, “But God, I would love to live a perfect, challenge-free life!” 

We could go back to the Garden and see how that worked out. All was well for a while, but then evil arrived, and everything changed. Without developing our endurance through our struggles, we are at the mercy of evil (natural and manmade). God blessed and cursed us with free will. We love the freedom to make our own decisions, but hate when the consequences play out. 

Do we want to be zombies or robots living life without questions or discovery, or do we want to live life free to discover all the beauty and the unimaginable love and joy that accompany us along our faith journeys? Notice the change in verb from be to live. That is the question that lies before us. 

14 This is why I kneel before the Father. 15 Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16 I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17 I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18 I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 

Giving Lord, you bless us abundantly! We often think we want to be free from struggles, but we appreciate you being with us, especially during our most challenging times. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Love God and one another with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

Christ lives in our hearts through faith! Pastor Liz