Ephesians 3 - 04.20.23

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 3: 14, 16, 19 ESV

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that according to the riches of his glory HE may grant you to be strengthened with power through HIS Spirit in your inner being… and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

OBSERVATION:

As God draws me to this scripture this morning I am reminded that although this is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—it is our letter also. This is God’s Letter to us and God’s prayer for us—because—ALL of scripture is “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Everyone who belongs to Jesus has the Holy Spirit living IN them. This, in fact, is the evidence of their salvation. It’s almost unimaginable to comprehend that this is God’s plan—The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead comes to LIVE inside every believer.

But, what Paul shares in his prayer is something MORE-

We can be Strengthened with Power through God’s Spirit [that is Living] inside our inner being—as Christ settles down DEEP into the inner depths of our heart.

God’s desire for us is not a casual surface relationship—something we access ‘if we can fit it in' to our schedules OR calling upon HIM on times ‘of need’.

God’s desire for us IS to FILL us to the FULLEST measure of HIMSELF—for us to experience a passionate and genuine—intimate- “Daily”—Fellowship—that is Living, Vital, and Growing.

APPLICATION:

Be FILLED with the FULLNESS of God

God’s Spirit is the Source from which our souls are being daily renewed and Filled. We are Continually transformed as we immerse ourselves and Fully Yield to God in Prayer, Worship, and daily study [SOAP] of His Word.

Although our physical bodies are aging, [and in some cases] decaying, and breaking down—our inner being FILLED with God’s Spirit can be Growing, Strengthening, and becoming more Powerful day-by-day. In our weakness God’s Strength is made manifest. His unlimited rich resources never, never, never- run dry. In fact, the more we decrease and yield to serve God wholly—the more God will Increase and continue to increase—

“Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love].” (2 Corinthians 9:10 AMP)

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus,

Have Your way in me. God, empty me of myself and show Yourself More in my life. Strengthen me in my inner being with Your Power and make Your home in the deepest depth of my heart, Lord—that I may come to Know the unknowable—Your surpassing Love—that I may be FILLED with ALL the FULLNESS of God. In Jesus Name.

- Tina Kudelka

Ephesians 2 - 4.19.23

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 basically 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. The story can be found in John 3 of the Bible.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a rule follower who believed that the only way to God was through good 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, 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. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Ephesians 1 - 4.18.23

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 1:3  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

OBSERVATION:  We are so blessed to have been CHOSEN by God before the creation of  the world!  In love, He PREDESTINED us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace.  We are blessed because we have been REDEEMED by the blood of Jesus; the forgiveness of our sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace - that He lavished on us!

APPLICATION:  I heard the message of truth; the gospel of my salvation, and have believed, therefore, by faith, I have received God's grace and forgiveness, and I AM SAVED!  God has given me EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ!  He has lavished me with His love, presence, and power, and has opened the eyes of my heart to know the hope to which He has called me. 

I once was lost, but now am found!  Was blind, but now I see! 

PRAYER:  Thank You Lord for being such a good God!  You have allowed me to experience Your love and Your power, and You have been so faithful to me!  Thank You for all that I have received through Jesus.  You have directed and carried out my salvation, and I pray as I rely on the power of the Holy Spirit that I will fulfill my role in the body of Christ to be used by You to build up and encourage the believers, and  serve one another in love.

I love Paul's prayer, and I declare it over the body of Christ, and over our un-saved loved ones:  "I  keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparable great power for us who believe."  (Ephesians 1:17-19a). 

- Robin Orefice