Ephesians 3 - 2.24.26

SCRIPTURE:  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.”

OBSERVATION

I love how Paul goes into this scripture by kneeling – in reverence and worship – to God. He begins with prayer for the Ephesians that God, out of his riches, to strengthen with power in the Spirit, in our inner being, that Christ will dwell within us. He then moves to praying the Ephesians will be rooted and established in love, to have the power to understand the love of Christ. It’s not just to have the basic understanding of his love, but to fully grasp “how wide and long and high and deep” is the love of Christ. To me these words paint a picture of the cross that Christ endured to save us from our sins. His sacrifice on the cross was wide, long, high and deep. His love and sacrifice transcend all dimensions, heaven and earth, all people – Jews and Gentiles. Paul wants us to be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Praise God!!

According to Expositor's Bible Commentary there is another understanding on the meaning of  “how wide and long and high and deep”:

“It is "wide" enough to reach the whole world and beyond (1:9-10, 20 Ephesians 1:20 NIV he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly...).  

It is "long" enough to stretch from eternity to eternity (1:4-6, 18; 3:9).  

It is "high" enough to raise both Gentiles and Jews to heavenly places in Christ Jesus (1:13; 2:6).

It is "deep" enough to rescue people from sin's degradation and even from the grip of Satan himself (2:1-5; 6:11-12). The love of Christ is the love he has for the church as a united body (5:25, 29-30) and for those who trust in him as individuals (3:17).

Paul ends his prayer giving God all the glory – highlighting that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or think. God’s ways are above anything we could ever imagine. The best part is it’s all  “according to his power that is at work within us.” God has completely equipped us with the power that we need to understand and live in the Spirit.

APPLICATION

It’s important to always begin prayer like Paul, in submission and worship to God. Kneeling is noted in this scripture but any posture of reverence (bowing your head, open hands up to God, etc.) is an important part of prayer.

This scripture highlights that we can pray for strength in the power of his Spirit to dwell in our hearts. We can also pray for power to grasp His great love. Our minds can’t really wrap around the depth of God’s love. It takes Godly power to really understand all aspects of His love. This scripture says his love  “surpasses knowledge” yet we can pray to “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” I say YES to His love and to being filled of all the fullness of God.

Imagine for a moment that any thought or prayer that you ask, God can do immeasurably more. It’s all from the “power that is at work within us.” Positionally, God can do anything!  Recognizing and worshiping God for what he can do through us can take us to a different level of faith.

PRAYER

Lord, I bow down before your throne. You are the one and only God. You alone are worthy of all honor and praise. Thank you for this wonderful scripture and prayer from Paul to the Ephesians. You alone provide glorious riches, strengthen us with power through the Spirit, all to worship you, strengthen our faith, and truly understand your great love for us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Lord, fill us all with the fullness of God. Help us to live in your Spriit always. In Jesus name. Amen!

- Mary Oberg

Ephesians 2 - 2.23.26

Scripture

Ephesians 2:8-10 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Observation

Paul is addressing the Ephesian church by reiterating the Gospel message to them. He starts with their sin condition, their conversion by God’s grace through Jesus Christ and then the privileges that “both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ.” (Reference: biblestudytools.com)

Grace is a FREE gift.

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor towards us. It is a free gift (without conditions) that is available to all who would receive it. If we could earn this gift, then we would have a reason to boast about it, but because we cannot work for His favor, the only One we are able to boast about is Jesus Christ! 

Application

We do good works AFTER receiving His grace and Holy Spirit, not before. We are only as strong as our relationship with Jesus is.

I am reminded of the story of Jesus and Nicodemus. This story can be found in John 3.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a rule follower who believed that the only way to God was through works, but Jesus explained to him about being born again. He had to be born again by “water and the Spirit” and explained how God’s plan was to send His son to die to save the world from their sins. It had nothing to do with works, like Nicodemus was accustomed to. (The Apostle Paul, writer of Ephesians is very familiar with that way of living also, as a former religious leader and upholder of the law.)

God’s heart is that we put relationship with Jesus before rules. The good works we do as Christ followers is a fruit of our faith relationship with Jesus. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray we would all live in the freedom and enjoyment of being in relationship with You first and allow the rest to follow, by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You that I don’t need to earn my way into favor or relationship with You because You already accomplished that on the Cross. Please forgive me for the many times that I forget that. Please help me to just rest and plug into Your amazing grace and love. Without You, I can do nothing. May You alone be praised and honored You for all that You have done and continue to do in my life. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Galatians 5 - 2.20.26

Scripture: Galatians 5: 16-18

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Observation:

There is a battle going on between the Spirit and the flesh.  They want opposite things. We need to be led by the Spirit. 

In verses 22-23  Paul defines walking in the Spirit and its fruit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  

One thing I’ve been wondering about is the phrase, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”  What?  Not under the law?  After the fruit of the Spirit Pauls says, “Against such things there is no law.”  I did some digging for clarity.

Throughout Galatians Paul contrasts law with faith and being led by the Spirit. My Bible has a commentary note for verse 18.  It says “The person who is led by the Spirit will do what is right freely, not by the compulsion of the law.  Thus, he is not under the law’s bondage and condemnation.”  (The Spirit Filled Life Bible, Jack Hayford)  So, this is not saying we don’t have to obey the Ten Commandments and God’s Word.  Instead we surrender to God out of gratefulness for what Jesus did on the cross and that He paid the ultimate price for our sins. Nothing we can do will give us reason to boast or be under bondage. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

If we try to do things in our flesh we will loose the battle.  We are not strong enough.  We will do what we want.  Instead, we have an all-powerful God ready to lead us through the Holy Spirit.  We experience freedom through Christ.

Application:

I need to realize there is a conflict with the Spirit and my flesh. God has the best plan for my life. My flesh desires different things. I know true freedom when I walk with His lead. I don’t have to wonder if the path is correct.  It is sort of like using the GPS when driving somewhere you’ve never been before.  You can trust you are on the right road to your destination because a voice is saying, “Turn here.”

I need to start each day in God’s Word and seeking His direction.  Then, remember to walk in the Spirit throughout my day.

Prayer:

Father God, You are so loving and caring.  We try to do things our way and you gently guide us back.  Or if necessary give us a big wake up call.  Please help me walk daily in your Spirit.  This means saying no to my flesh, the things I desire. Please forgive me for the times I let the flesh control me.  Please help me grow in dedication to you and understanding your purpose for this season of my life.  Help me walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control instead of the law or my flesh.  May I be an example of who you are and the freedom you bring. Amen

- Cindy Howard