Sometimes your state of mind and what is happening around you will cause you to have a totally different perspective.

This morning, a well-worn passage that I’ve camped out on during many occasions took a turn that I wasn’t expecting. I love it when that happens! It’s almost like having a direct hot line into the heavenly realms.

We always get caught up in folks “asking Jesus into their hearts.” Not a bad thing. But we seem to fall short on enticing him to hang around for a bit. What happens in a moment of emotion on Sunday fades very quickly by the time Thursday rolls around.

Same thing was true back in the late 60’s, as in 60 A.D.

Paul’s (the apostle) response to this was simple: once Jesus is in, utilize the Spirit to make him welcome. He says we can be “empowered” via the Spirit in us and that this will cause Jesus to “make his home” in us. Why? Because it pushes us through the threshold of a real confidence or trust in him.

It’s one thing to acknowledge who Jesus is–a saving thing. And that is good.

It’s another thing entirely to let him take up long-term residence and become a homemaker. Ironically, that Spirit-fueled trust enables you to put down deep roots into the divine love that will make you “complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” “Ironic” because the very thing that guarantees our success as a believer is often the very thing that we ignore.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God… who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think…  —Paul