Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading titled, Jesus Dwells Within, was written by Patricia Raybon.

As a blizzard bore down on my state in the western United States, my widowed mother agreed to stay with my family to ride out the storm.

After the blizzard, however, she never returned to her house.

She moved in, dwelling with us for the rest of her life.

Her presence changed our household in many positive ways. She was available daily to provide wisdom, advice to family members, and share

ancestral stories. She and my husband became the best of friends, sharing a similar sense of humor and

love of sports. No longer a visitor, she was a permanent and vital resident, forever changing our

hearts, even after God called her home.

The experience recalls John's description of Jesus, that he dwelt among us.

It's a compelling description because in the original Greek the word dwelt means to pitch a tent.

Another translation says, he made his home among us.

By faith, we also receive Jesus as the one who dwells in our hearts. As Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 3, 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.

Not a casual visitor.

Jesus is an empowering, permanent resident of all who follow him. May we open wide the doors of our hearts and welcome him.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 through 20.

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

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