Ephesians_5

Scripture

 

Ephesians 5: 1-2a

 

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Paul is writing the Ephesians, urging them to walk in love, walk in the light they are filled with by Christ, and walk in the wisdom Jesus has shed on them through His teachings. Paul urges them to stay clear of the unbelievers' influences, for that could lead to a grim path. Instead, they should be a light to them. They should help expose them of their sinfulness and their need of Jesus. Ultimately Paul wants to see them filled with the Holy Spirit, living a life that brings glory to God.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Does the life I live reflect Jesus and His ways?

 

I try to constantly remind my kids that as soon as they walk out that door, no matter where they go, (school, church, a friend’s house, a party, or even at their grandparent’s house), they are carrying my family name. “SO DON’T MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME!”  My wife and I try to raise them the right way. We give them the tools they need to be successful, but it’s up to them if they decide to use it or not. It’s a daily prayer my wife and I share, praying our kids are making wise choices when we are not around.

 

I believe the same can be said about us as Christ Followers. When we choose to follow Jesus and get baptized to make our public declaration of our new life devoted to Him, we are now adopted into the family...the family of God. We too carry His name wherever we go. So am I making a fool out of Him? Am I telling people that I am a Christian, but my actions are proving otherwise? Am I living a life that is showing others the characteristics of my Father in Heaven? I sure hope so. After all, God also gives us everything we need in life to succeed. He gives us His Word, His Holy Spirit, and His Church to help guide us with our decisions. He also has an open direct line of communication whenever we’re stuck. We can pray to Him anytime, anywhere! How can we not succeed in life?! So let’s use these tools He blesses us with, and go out in this world and make Him proud!

 

Life Application

 

I am a child of God. Time to show the world the things my Father taught me.

 

Remember when you were a kid and your parent taught you something new? You couldn’t wait to try it out on your own, and even show your friends what you learned. For me it was tying my shoes, tying a neck tie, learning how to drive, or even grilling a steak. The bottom line is my dad taught me, and I repeated it, and showed it off and applied it to my everyday life. How can I show others the things my Father in Heaven has shown me? I can tell them about the love of Jesus. I can show them an unconditional love and forgiveness. I can give to those in need.

 

Father God, help me to carry the name of Christ Follower out in this world in a way that makes You proud. Open my eyes to those opportunities to do so. May those around me get a glimpse of Your light, and yearn to want more. In Your name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi

Ephesians__4

Scripture

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Observation-What does it say?

Paul opens this chapter by encouraging the church to be united as a Body in Christ and to grow up in maturity as they each do the work that Christ has called them to do. Paul then gives instructions for Christian living. The one highlighted to me was the last verse, about forgiveness.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Unity in the Body of Christ is impossible without forgiveness.

Paul LOVED the church and he knew what would lead to its disunity and ultimate destruction. He talks about several things such as impurity, greed, unholy living, lies, anger and unwholesome talk (aka slander/gossip). He then brings it back to Christ and reminds the church of the importance of being kind, compassionate and forgiving towards each other. He wanted them to remember what Christ sacrificed for them and how Christ loved and forgave them. Healthy churches are forgiving churches. 

Luke 17:3-4-Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Matt. 18:33-35-And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matt. 6:15-But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

Life Application

Confess to God any unforgiveness or bitterness lingering towards a brother or sister and forgive them from your heart.

Dear Jesus, we pray for Your strength to forgive our family from our hearts. We desire to love and forgive like You do. Teach us Holy Spirit to put aside any differences, anger or bitterness that the enemy would use to divide and destroy us, and instead help us remain united in You. Help us remain united to the mission You have called us each to and to do our part well. Help us to work together as a whole and healthy Body, growing in maturity with You as our Head. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Ephesians_3

Scripture

Ephesians 3:17-19¹⁷ … And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ 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, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Observation

Paul begins this Chapter revealing the mystery and marvel of God’s plan for the Gentiles.  Then he begins praying for the Ephesians. 

Understanding

Some notes to be taken…as Paul prays, he prays that the Ephesians:

• Would be rooted and established in love
  • As Christians, follows of an all knowing, all powerful and loving God, we are called to be rooted and established in love, to reflect God’s love to those who know him and to those who don’t. What a powerful base to live from, to make decisions from, to speak from, to think from.
• May have power
  • God’s plan for us is not to be docile robots, but individuals with power – power to heal, power to choose, power to speak up.
• May grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
  • There’s songs and scriptures that speak to this, but have you ever just sat and thought about this phrase? God’s love is all encompassing.  The same God that made the expansiveness of space, the mystery and depth of the sea, the height of mountains…THAT is the God who made us, loves us, calls us.
• May be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God
  • ALL the fullness of God…I don’t think our human brains can even comprehend that. But the part that we can comprehend is big and oh so good. So, may we allow ourselves to be filled!

Life Application

Pray. Pray with boldness that Desert Streams would be rooted and established in love, have power, that we would grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, may be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God.To check out the discussion or to join in click here.