9 Minute Read
Be Still
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Today’s Bible Reading:
Isaiah 43:14–45:10
Ephesians 3:1-21
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 24:1-2
Listen to the Lord
Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NLT): “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Reflections from Scripture:
The verses that you have just read are so rich! I am tempted not to write anything and simply encourage you to go back and meditate on them.
Yet, I feel compelled to at least give a few thoughts. In doing so, I hope to display some of their glory and provide you with encouragement to enjoy your God and make progress in holiness.
Ephesians 3:14-15 (NLT): “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.”
Essentially, Paul picked up where he left off in verse 1. Because of the wonderful truths of who we are in Christ (spoken about in Ephesians 1-2), Paul wanted his readers to experience all that God had for them. So, he prayed to that effect.
Ephesians 3:16 (NLT): “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”
We see the Trinity in these verses. In verse 14, Paul prayed to God the Father. Now, in verse 16, he prayed that the believers in Ephesus would experience the Holy Spirit’s strength. This is essential to the Christian life because we do not have in ourselves the strength to overcome temptation or make progress in holiness. We desperately need the Holy Spirit’s power.
Ephesians 3:17 (NLT): “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Far too many Christians think that places their trust in Jesus is a one-time event in their past. Yet, the Bible presents it as something that should be our experience every moment until we step in through death’s door into Heaven. This life of faith in Jesus enables us to cultivate and enjoy a relationship with the God who loves us.
Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT): “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully…”
The desire to be loved is actually a human need. Without it, we evolve into emotionally unhealthy people who hurt others and are self-destructive. As a Jesus-follower, we are encouraged to reflect regularly and deeply upon the unconditional, sacrificial, beneficial love that God has for us every moment of every day.
Ephesians 3:19 (NLT): “… Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
When we are empowered by the Spirit, indwelt by the Savior, and experience the love of the Father, we are ready to live life. We can be and do and do all that God desires of us in this life.
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, remind me regularly that Christian maturity is present when I am aware of just how dependent I am upon You and then seek You for what I desperately need. Help me realize that each person of the Godhead has made Himself available to me to provide what I need to live this one life You have given to me. I want to grow in my experience of what the Apostle Paul prayed for. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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