CHRIST DWELLING IN YOUR HEART BY FAITH

CHRIST DWELLING IN YOUR HEART BY FAITH

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 3:14-21

Key Verse: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” — Ephesians 3:17 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: John 14:23; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Revelation 3:20; John 15:4-5.

Description: This message teaches believers how to make Christ the permanent centre of their lives through faith, allowing His presence to shape their character, strengthen their spiritual lives, and produce the fruit of His love.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life is more than attending church services, observing religious practices, or confessing the name of Jesus with our mouths. True Christianity begins when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and allow Him to take His rightful place in our hearts. In Ephesians 3:14-21, Apostle Paul prays for believers to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in their inner man, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith.

The word dwell suggests more than a brief visit. It speaks of making a home, establishing a residence, and remaining in a place. Christ does not desire to be a temporary guest in our lives, invited only when we face trouble or need a miracle. He desires to govern our thoughts, influence our decisions, direct our relationships, and shape our character. His presence should be evident in every area of our lives.

Paul also connects Christ dwelling in our hearts with being rooted and grounded in love. This reveals that when Christ occupies the centre of our lives, His love becomes the foundation of our character and conduct. Through faith, we surrender our hearts to Him, trust His Word, obey His commands, and depend on His grace. The question is not merely whether we know about Christ, but whether we have allowed Him to make our hearts His home.

1. UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS FOR CHRIST TO DWELL IN YOUR HEART

Christ dwelling in the heart means that His presence is welcomed, His lordship is acknowledged, and His character is increasingly expressed through the believer. It is not simply an emotional experience during worship or a moment of excitement during a church service. It is a continuing relationship in which Jesus occupies the central position in our lives.

When Christ dwells in our hearts, we no longer live as independent people who consult God only when our plans fail. We learn to submit our desires, ambitions, thoughts, and decisions to His authority. His presence transforms us from within and produces a life that increasingly reflects Him.

a) Christ desires an abiding relationship with you (John 14:23)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” — John 14:23 (KJV).

Jesus promises that the Father and the Son will make their abode with the person who loves Him and keeps His Word. This is the language of relationship, fellowship, and abiding presence. God does not desire a relationship with us that is limited to Sunday worship or occasional prayer meetings. He wants us to walk with Him daily.

Keeping the Word of Christ is an expression of our love for Him. We cannot sincerely claim to desire His presence while deliberately resisting His instructions. When His Word governs our lives, we create room for His will to be expressed through us.

b) Christ must be Lord, not merely a visitor (Revelation 3:20)

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” — Revelation 3:20 (KJV).

This verse illustrates the importance of opening our hearts to Christ. He calls for a response rather than forcing fellowship upon us. We must willingly surrender our hearts to Him and allow Him to direct our lives.

Some people welcome Christ into their financial difficulties but exclude Him from their relationships. Others call upon Him during sickness but refuse to obey Him in matters of integrity, forgiveness, or holiness. Christ desires access to every room of our hearts. Nothing should be deliberately kept outside His lordship.

c) Christ must influence your thoughts and desires (Philippians 2:5)

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5 (KJV).

When Christ dwells in our hearts, His attitude begins to influence our attitudes. We learn humility instead of pride, patience instead of anger, forgiveness instead of bitterness, and service instead of selfish ambition.

This transformation does not happen merely because we have adopted Christian language. It comes as we submit our minds to God's Word and depend on the Holy Spirit. A heart occupied by Christ increasingly desires what pleases Him and becomes uncomfortable with what dishonours Him.

d) Christ's presence must be evident in your daily conduct (Galatians 5:22-23)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV).

The presence of Christ should produce visible spiritual fruit. A person may possess impressive gifts, religious knowledge, or public recognition, yet still need growth in patience, kindness, humility, and self-control.

When we allow Christ to dwell in our hearts, the Holy Spirit works within us to develop Christlike character. Our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities should increasingly experience the evidence of His life in us.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

When Jesus entered Zacchaeus's house, the encounter brought transformation. Zacchaeus responded by committing himself to restitution and generosity. His encounter with Christ affected his attitude towards money and his treatment of others. This demonstrates that welcoming Christ should produce practical changes in our lives.

2. CHRIST DWELLS IN YOUR HEART BY FAITH

Paul specifically says that Christ should dwell in our hearts by faith. Faith is essential because our relationship with Christ is not sustained by physical sight or human feelings alone. We receive Him by faith, trust His promises, depend on His finished work, and continue walking with Him even when circumstances appear contrary to His Word.

Faith is not merely believing that Jesus exists. It is trusting Him enough to surrender our lives to Him. It is believing His Word when our emotions are unstable, obeying His instructions when obedience is costly, and depending on His grace when our strength is insufficient.

a) You receive Christ through faith (Ephesians 2:8)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” — Ephesians 2:8 (KJV).

Salvation is God's gift, received through faith. We do not earn a place in God's family by our achievements, religious activities, or personal righteousness. We come to God through Jesus Christ, trusting in His grace and the sufficiency of His sacrifice.

The same faith that receives Christ must continue to characterise our Christian walk. We must depend on Him for wisdom, strength, purity, perseverance, and spiritual growth. Christianity is not a journey that begins by faith and continues through self-sufficiency.

b) You must believe the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17)

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17 (KJV).

Faith grows as we hear, receive, meditate upon, and obey God's Word. A believer who neglects Scripture may become increasingly influenced by fear, worldly thinking, and discouraging circumstances.

To allow Christ to dwell richly in our hearts, we must give His Word a permanent place in our daily lives. Read the Bible prayerfully, meditate on its truth, memorise its promises, and apply its instructions. The Word reveals Christ's character and teaches us how to live in fellowship with Him.

c) You must trust Christ beyond your feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV).

Our feelings may change from day to day. There are moments when prayer feels easy and worship flows freely. At other times, we may face discouragement, unanswered questions, or spiritual dryness. Our relationship with Christ must not depend solely on how we feel.

Faith enables us to trust God's character even when we cannot explain our circumstances. We continue praying, obeying, worshipping, and serving because our confidence rests in the faithfulness of Christ rather than the temporary condition of our emotions.

d) You must surrender your life to Christ continually (Galatians 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20 (KJV).

Paul describes a life in which Christ has become the centre of his identity. He still lives his daily life, but he no longer considers himself the ultimate authority over his choices. Christ's will takes precedence over his selfish desires.

Faith-filled surrender means allowing Christ to govern our plans, ambitions, relationships, resources, and ministry. We must be willing to say, “Lord, not my will, but Thine be done.” The more completely we trust Him, the more freely His character can be expressed through us.

Biblical Example: Abraham (Genesis 15:1-6; Romans 4:18-21)

Abraham believed God's promise even when the circumstances appeared impossible. His faith rested on the faithfulness and power of God rather than what he could see naturally. Likewise, believers must trust Christ and His Word even when immediate circumstances do not seem to support their expectations.

3. REMOVE EVERYTHING THAT COMPETES WITH CHRIST IN YOUR HEART

If Christ is to occupy the central place in our hearts, we must identify and surrender everything that competes with His lordship. The heart can become crowded with bitterness, pride, greed, unforgiveness, fear, worldly ambitions, and secret sins. These things hinder our fellowship with God and weaken our spiritual sensitivity.

Christ does not ask for a small portion of our lives while allowing other influences to control the rest. He calls us to wholehearted devotion. This does not mean that believers become instantly perfect, but it does mean that we stop defending sin and begin cooperating with the Holy Spirit in the work of transformation.

a) Remove bitterness and unforgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-32)

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV).

Bitterness can occupy the heart until it affects our prayers, relationships, decisions, and spiritual growth. When we continually rehearse offences, we give painful experiences excessive control over our inner lives.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending that wrongdoing never occurred or refusing appropriate boundaries. It means surrendering vengeance to God and refusing to let hatred rule our hearts. Because Christ has forgiven us, we must depend on His grace to forgive others.

b) Reject pride and self-sufficiency (James 4:6)

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” — James 4:6 (KJV).

Pride tells us that we do not need God's counsel, correction, or help. It can cause us to depend on our education, position, wealth, experience, or spiritual achievements instead of remaining humble before the Lord.

A heart that welcomes Christ is a heart willing to learn. Humility allows us to confess our weaknesses, accept correction, seek wise counsel, and acknowledge that every good thing comes from God. We must never allow success to make us independent of the One who gave us the ability to succeed.

c) Turn away from the love of the world (1 John 2:15-16)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” — 1 John 2:15 (KJV).

The world in this passage refers to the sinful system of desires and values that stands in opposition to God. The problem is not owning possessions or pursuing legitimate goals; the danger is allowing worldly desires to become our master.

When the desire for money, recognition, pleasure, or power becomes more important than obedience to Christ, our hearts are being drawn away from Him. We must examine our priorities and ensure that our ambitions remain subject to God's will.

d) Guard your heart diligently (Proverbs 4:23)

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23 (KJV).

Our hearts are influenced by what we repeatedly watch, hear, think about, and entertain. Careless exposure to ungodly influences can gradually shape our desires and weaken our commitment to Christ.

Guarding the heart requires intentional decisions. We must be careful about our conversations, entertainment, friendships, thought patterns, and private habits. We should fill our minds with God's Word, cultivate godly relationships, and remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's correction.

Biblical Example: Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)

Paul reported that Demas forsook him because he loved this present world. His example warns us that affection for worldly things can draw a person away from faithful service. We must continually examine our hearts and ensure that nothing becomes more precious to us than Christ.

4. LET THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST TRANSFORM YOUR CHARACTER

Christ dwelling in our hearts is not merely a theological statement; it is the beginning of a transformed life. His presence should affect how we speak, respond to pressure, treat people, handle responsibilities, and make decisions. Spiritual maturity is demonstrated not only by what we profess but also by the character we display.

Transformation is a continuing work of God's grace. As we surrender to Christ, meditate on His Word, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we increasingly reflect His nature. We may still face struggles, but we no longer have to remain controlled by the same attitudes and habits that once dominated us.

a) Allow Christ to renew your mind (Romans 12:2)

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” — Romans 12:2 (KJV).

A transformed life begins with a renewed mind. The world constantly attempts to shape our thinking through its values, fears, standards, and desires. God's Word corrects our thinking and teaches us to view life from His perspective.

As our minds are renewed, we learn to reject destructive thought patterns and embrace truth. Instead of assuming that defeat is inevitable, we learn to trust God's promises. Instead of responding to offences with revenge, we learn to respond with wisdom and grace.

b) Demonstrate the love of Christ (John 13:34-35)

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” — John 13:34 (KJV).

Love is one of the clearest evidences of Christlike character. Jesus calls His followers to love one another according to the pattern of His own sacrificial love. This love is not limited to words or emotions; it expresses itself through patience, kindness, generosity, truthfulness, and practical service.

If Christ dwells in our hearts, our homes should experience greater understanding, our churches should demonstrate genuine fellowship, and our communities should see compassion in action. We cannot claim to represent Christ faithfully while deliberately mistreating the people He commands us to love.

c) Walk in holiness and obedience (1 Peter 1:15-16)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV).

Christ's presence calls us to a life that honours God. Holiness is not merely an outward appearance or a religious reputation; it involves the consecration of our hearts, motives, words, and actions to the Lord.

We must reject deliberate disobedience and seek God's help to live uprightly. When we stumble, we should repent sincerely and return to Him rather than hide our sin or excuse it. The grace of God does not encourage carelessness; it empowers us to live in a manner that pleases Him.

d) Manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25)

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” — Galatians 5:25 (KJV).

The Holy Spirit works in believers to develop qualities that reflect the character of Christ. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control should increasingly become evident in our conduct.

This fruit is particularly important when we face provocation, disappointment, conflict, or pressure. It is easy to appear spiritual when everything is going well. The depth of our transformation becomes clearer when we respond to difficult situations with Christlike attitudes.

Biblical Example: Stephen (Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60)

Stephen displayed spiritual wisdom, courage, and grace even in the face of fierce opposition. While being stoned, he prayed that the Lord would not lay the sin of his attackers to their charge. His response reflected the character of Jesus, who prayed for His persecutors. Stephen's life demonstrates how God's presence can shape our character even under extreme pressure.

5. BUILD A DAILY LIFE OF FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST

A lasting relationship with Christ requires intentional fellowship. We cannot neglect our relationship with Him throughout the week and expect spiritual maturity to develop automatically. Just as physical life requires nourishment, our spiritual lives need prayer, Scripture, worship, obedience, and fellowship with other believers.

These practices do not purchase God's love or earn salvation. Rather, they help us remain attentive to His voice, responsive to His Word, and dependent on His grace. We cultivate fellowship because we belong to Christ and desire to know Him more deeply.

a) Maintain a consistent prayer life (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

“Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV).

Prayer is an essential expression of our relationship with God. Through prayer, we worship Him, confess our sins, express our needs, intercede for others, and seek His wisdom. It keeps us conscious of our dependence on Him.

Praying without ceasing does not mean speaking continuously every minute. It means maintaining a life of continual dependence on God, supported by regular, intentional times of prayer. A believer who desires Christ to dwell richly in the heart must make room for fellowship with Him.

b) Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you (Colossians 3:16)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” — Colossians 3:16 (KJV).

The Word of Christ must not be a stranger to our minds. We should read it, meditate on it, memorise it, discuss it, and put it into practice. The more deeply God's Word shapes our thinking, the more effectively we can recognise what pleases Him.

Do not read the Bible merely to complete a religious routine. Approach it prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand and obey the truth. The purpose is not only to accumulate knowledge but also to become more like Christ.

c) Remain connected to Christ (John 15:4-5)

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” — John 15:4 (KJV).

Jesus uses the picture of a vine and its branches to explain our dependence on Him. A branch cannot produce fruit independently of the vine. In the same way, Christian fruitfulness cannot be sustained by human effort alone.

Abiding in Christ means continuing in faith, depending on His grace, receiving His Word, and obeying His commands. Ministry activities, leadership positions, and spiritual gifts cannot replace personal fellowship with the Lord. Our effectiveness flows from our connection with Him.

d) Remain faithful in Christian fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:24–25 (KJV).

God designed believers to grow within the fellowship of His people. Through corporate worship, Bible teaching, mutual encouragement, and accountability, we are strengthened in our faith and helped to persevere.

Church attendance alone does not guarantee spiritual maturity, but faithful participation in a healthy Christian community can help us grow. We should neither isolate ourselves nor neglect the encouragement and service that fellowship provides. Christ's life in us should also be expressed through our commitment to His body.

Biblical Example: Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-3)

Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear His Word and later expressed devotion by anointing Him with costly ointment. Her actions reveal a heart that valued Christ's presence. Like Mary, we must make room for Jesus in our daily lives, listen to His Word, and express our love through sincere devotion and service.

6. BECOME ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST'S LOVE

Ephesians 3:17 does not end with Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith. Paul continues by praying that believers will be “rooted and grounded in love.” This connection is important because the presence of Christ should establish love as the foundation of our lives.

The word picture is powerful. A tree needs deep roots to remain stable and draw nourishment, while a building needs a firm foundation to withstand pressure. In the same way, believers need to be deeply established in the love of Christ. When we understand His love and allow it to govern our conduct, we become more stable in trials and more faithful in our relationships.

a) Know that Christ's love is personal (Galatians 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20 (KJV).

Paul's words reveal a personal awareness of Christ's love. Jesus did not merely demonstrate a general concern for humanity; He gave Himself for sinners and offers each believer the privilege of a personal relationship with Him.

When we understand that Christ loves us, our identity becomes less dependent on human approval. Rejection, failure, or criticism may hurt, but they do not have to define our worth. We are called to live from the assurance of Christ's love rather than constantly striving to earn acceptance from people.

b) Let love become your foundation (Ephesians 3:17)

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” — Ephesians 3:17 (KJV).

Paul connects Christ's indwelling presence with a life established in love. Love is not an optional decoration added to the Christian life; it is fundamental to our spiritual maturity. Our knowledge, service, and spiritual gifts must be exercised in a manner consistent with the love of God.

Being rooted and grounded in love means allowing the love of Christ to shape our motives and relationships. We learn to speak the truth with grace, correct others with humility, serve without seeking applause, and forgive as we have been forgiven. Love must become the foundation on which our daily conduct is built.

c) Extend Christ's love to others (1 John 4:11)

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11 (KJV).

Those who have received God's love are called to extend that love to others. We must not limit our love to people who agree with us, favour us, or can reward us. Christ calls us to demonstrate His compassion even when relationships are difficult.

Practical love may require visiting the sick, helping the needy, encouraging the discouraged, restoring the fallen, or making peace where there is conflict. Our acts of love do not earn God's salvation; they demonstrate the transforming work of His grace in us.

d) Allow love to sustain you in difficult seasons (Romans 8:35, 38-39)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” — Romans 8:35 (KJV).

Paul teaches that hardships cannot separate believers from the love of Christ. Trials may challenge our faith, but they do not mean that God has abandoned us. We can remain secure in His love even when we do not understand what He is permitting us to experience.

When Christ dwells in our hearts and His love becomes our foundation, we gain strength to persevere. We can face uncertainty without surrendering to despair, endure opposition without abandoning our faith, and continue serving God without allowing disappointment to destroy our confidence in Him.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 39:7-23; 45:4-8)

Joseph remained faithful to God through betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment. When he eventually met his brothers, he recognised God's providence without denying the evil they had done. His response showed a heart that had not been completely consumed by bitterness. His life illustrates how faith in God can sustain a person through painful seasons and prepare the way for forgiveness and reconciliation.

CONCLUSION

Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith is the foundation of a victorious and fruitful Christian life. He does not desire to be a visitor whom we call upon only in emergencies; He desires to be Lord of our entire lives. Through faith in His finished work, obedience to His Word, fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and the removal of everything that competes with His lordship, we make room for His character to be formed in us. As Christ occupies the centre of our hearts, our thoughts, decisions, relationships, and conduct increasingly reflect His nature.

Today, examine your heart honestly. Is Christ truly governing your life, or have you reserved certain areas for yourself? Open every door to Him. Surrender your fears, ambitions, relationships, habits, and plans to His authority. Remain rooted and grounded in His love, and allow His presence to produce lasting spiritual fruit in you. May your life become a dwelling place where Christ is honoured, His Word is obeyed, His love is demonstrated, and His name is glorified.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, come and take Your rightful place in my heart; let every area of my life be surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ in Jesus name.

2. Lord Jesus, increase my faith and help me to trust Your Word even when my circumstances and feelings appear contrary to Your promises in Jesus name.

3. Father, cleanse my heart from bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, greed, and every attitude that competes with Your presence in Jesus name.

4. Holy Spirit, renew my mind and transform my thoughts, desires, decisions, and conduct until they reflect the character of Christ in Jesus name.

5. Lord, give me a deeper hunger for Your Word and a consistent prayer life that strengthens my fellowship with You every day in Jesus name.

6. Father, empower me to overcome temptation and reject every influence that seeks to draw my heart away from You in Jesus name.

7. Lord Jesus, establish me firmly in Your love so that I will remain faithful during trials, disappointments, and difficult seasons in Jesus name.

8. Father, let the fruit of the Holy Spirit become increasingly evident in my character, my family, my ministry, and my relationships in Jesus name.

9. Lord, make my life a vessel of Your love, compassion, holiness, wisdom, and power, bringing glory to Your name wherever I go in Jesus name.

10. Father, let Christ dwell richly in my heart by faith, and make my life a testimony of Your transforming grace until the end in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall become a dwelling place for the presence of Christ, and your heart shall increasingly reflect His holiness, wisdom, peace, and love in the mighty name of Jesus.

2. You shall grow stronger in faith, and no storm of life shall be able to uproot you from your confidence in the faithfulness of God in the mighty name of Jesus.

3. You shall overcome bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, fear, and every destructive influence that seeks to control your heart in the mighty name of Jesus.

4. Your mind shall be renewed by the Word of God, and your thoughts shall increasingly agree with His truth, promises, and purposes for your life in the mighty name of Jesus.

5. You shall experience deeper fellowship with God, and your prayer life and understanding of His Word shall grow stronger day by day in the mighty name of Jesus.

6. The fruit of the Holy Spirit shall become increasingly evident in your character, and your conduct shall bring honour to the name of Jesus in the mighty name of Jesus.

7. You shall be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, and the trials of life shall not separate you from your confidence in His unfailing love in the mighty name of Jesus.

8. Your home shall experience the influence of Christ's love, and your relationships shall increasingly be marked by forgiveness, peace, understanding, and godly wisdom in the mighty name of Jesus.

9. You shall become a vessel of God's compassion and grace, bringing encouragement to the discouraged, help to the needy, and hope to those around you in the mighty name of Jesus.

10. Christ shall remain at the centre of your life, and you shall grow in spiritual maturity, fulfil God's purpose for you, and finish your race faithfully in the mighty name of Jesus.