Ephesians 5 - 4.24.23
Scripture
Ephesians 5:1 NLT
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.”
Observation
In the first section of this chapter, Paul encourages believers to imitate God by following the examples of how Jesus lived his life. Paul encourages us to live a life filled with love (vs 2). He encourages us to live pure lives free from sexual immorality, greed, and foolish talk (vs 3-5). We should stay clear and not participate with those who are still living in the darkness/sinfulness (vs 7). Since we are believers, we have the light of Jesus living inside of us. So live as people of light (vs 8)!
Application
Jesus is the perfect role model.
You know when I was in my early 20’s I looked up to The Rock. I remember working out 6 days a week, spending a big portion of my paychecks on sports supplements, just to try to be built like him physically. I remember seeing him on the cover of Mens Fitness Magazines and seeing the clothes he would wear. I would try to shop and find clothes, sunglasses, and watches, just to copy his style. But where did that leave me you may ask? It left me feeling defeated, (because my genetics weren’t like his), and it left me up to my eyeballs in credit card debt! Basically it felt like all that hard work was for nothing!
Now let me tell you about when I rededicated my life to Jesus and began looking up to Him as my reference on how to live my life. My life has more meaning to it. It’s a life where I can find joy in any occasion. It’s a life where I feel more fulfilled by following Jesus and helping others know Him more. It’s a life that has blessed me with a beautiful wife, loving kids, and a church family that is here to love and support me no matter what. It’s a life where I built a deeper relationship with God and His people. And it’s a life where I know I am reaping a more eternal reward; a reward that doesn’t fade or can’t be taken away.
So at the end of the day when I look into the mirror, who should I desire to see looking back at me? I hope it would be someone who loves God and others with all his heart. Someone who puts the needs of others above his own. Someone who honors God with everything they do and say. Someone like Jesus.
Prayer
Father God forgive me for wasting my younger years of life chasing after the wrong things. My desire is to look more and more like Jesus each and every day. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to live that life that Jesus lived. A life which brings glory and honor to You. May my life point others to see and want to be like Jesus. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Ephesians 4 - 4.21.23
Scripture
Ephesians 4:11-13
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Observation
God gave various kinds of leaders to the church with a single purpose in mind: that we ALL become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. The word “mature” in the original Greek is the word teleios and it refers to completeness, the end goal, the final product. And “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” could be summed up as “perfectly Christ-like.”
The point is that God’s goal is that every believer – whether apostle or accountant, pastor or plumber, teacher or technician – would be equal in spiritual maturity. The goal is that every one of us reaches the end goal of being exactly like Jesus in thought, character, purpose, pursuit, etc.
I imagine each of us as an old classic car. Extremely valuable, yet damaged and worn out and barely running because of sin. Rescued from the junkyard, God purchases us as his own by the blood of Jesus and begins restoring us to our original design and perfection. God isn’t like the guy in our neighborhood who has a car sitting in his driveway on jacks for years waiting to be restored. He doesn’t abandon the project halfway. But like Philippians 1:6 says, he carries on to completion the work he started in each of us. God’s desire for every person he’s purchased is that they become completely restored and finished. And he pulls us, his sons and daughters, into the garage with him and hands us wrenches and paint sprayers and invites us to partner with him in the restoration process.
Application
- Pray today for every person in our church to become mature and move toward complete Christlikeness.
- Ask God for wisdom and favor in equipping and helping people become more like Jesus.
Prayer
God, thank you for all those you have placed in leadership at Desert Streams. I’m asking that you help us to equip every person you bring to us for works of service and to build them up so that we can become fully mature and Christlike. May we each grow as we also help each other grow. We want to be like you Jesus. Transform us by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
-Levi Thompson
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