Good stuff!

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”  Ephesians 3:14-19

My Bible study led me to this these verses this week. And when I was finished reading and studying and thinking about the passage, I sighed to myself – “man, that is good stuff!”

Let me give you a peek into what God laid on my heart.

Before I get into the nitty gritty, let’s set up the scenario – Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus. He is reminding them that the Gentiles (that would be non-Jewish folks) have access to the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. He is asking God to provide for these people these things –

1) That they be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (vs. 16). Paul knows that man cannot strengthen man on his own accord. He knows and understands that all strength comes from God. And this isn’t a physical strength that Paul is referring to. This is a spiritual strength. In my mind, it also refers to a mental and emotional strength. This kind of strength also comes exclusively from God. A person needs to keeps the inner version of yourself strong to face the wiles of the devil and ward off temptation. Remember, we are fighting against enemies that are unseen (Ephesians 6:12).

2) That Christ would dwell in your heart by faith (vs. 17a). “Dwell” gives the indication of being at home. Christ cannot be at home in your heart without faith (which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen – Hebrews 11:1).

3) To comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of being rooted and grounded in love (vs. 17b & 18). Do we truly comprehend what having Jesus in our hearts truly enables us to do? I don’t think I do. Sometimes I feel that I accept His love as a byproduct of my salvation. When actually it is the whole of my salvation. His love for me is the reason I have salvation in the first place! He doesn’t love me because of my salvation; He loved me before it.

4) To know the love of Christ, which passeth all knowledge (vs. 19a). You cannot reason out God’s love. It is a principle that goes beyond anything you can reason out by education.

5) To be filled with the fulness of God (vs. 19b). I think, in my mind, this is a great example of trusting God. This is drawing on all God is to allow Him to guide you through everything He brings you to.

I cannot finish this blog without verse 20 & 21- “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abudantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

God is able/capable of doing so much more than we can ask or imagine. Think on that for a moment. We can imagine going to the farthest corner of space – God can do more. We can imagine curing cancer – God can do more. Anything…and I mean anything…we can imagine, God can do more. But it is not in our power that He does them – it is in HIS power working thru us. We are capable of being His conduit. And because of all this, we should praise Him – not alone, in a field – but in the capacity of a local New Testament church within our family of God.

Now, I’ll tell you this – if that doesn’t get you fired up, your wood is wet!

Signs

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

So, the other day I was thinking, “I need to do my blog today. What would you have me to write about, God?” And let me tell you the thing that happened to me…twice!

I am driving along a divided road and my side is going down to 1 lane. Quite some distance before we reach the merging point, there are signs. Several signs. Signs with pictures telling drivers that the lane will end. Signs with words that say “Right lane ending. Merge left.” And you know what happens to me, twice – while I’m following the instructions and driving in the left lane, someone speeds up beside me and cuts me off just as their side of the road runs out. Needless to say, loud words were expressed in my vehicle. And one driver, after I honked at his lack of judgment, had the gall to demonstrate his ability to hold up one finger at a time! I said a little prayer for that driver – He or she needs Jesus!

Well, this demonstration of society’s inability to read road signs, in picture or print, reminded me that there are signs all around us and people still deny the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. I do not understand it. I do not like it. It makes me incredibly sad.

When I read these verses in 2 Timothy, Paul shows me that we are truly living in the last days. I feel like he had the unfortunate opportunity to take a quick peek at our days. These adjectives are horrific and terribly accurate for our day today.

I have read the end of the Book. I know we win in the end. But things will not get better before they get worse. They will only continue to go downhill.

Man, do I sound like a Debbie-downer or what?

Here is some good news – “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21:27, 28

One day, one very sweet day, my Jesus is coming back for me…and for you. How amazing is that?! Now that gets me excited!

But until that glorious day, we have to pay attention to signs. We have to let other people know those signs are there. We have to prepare our hearts for what lies ahead – eternity.