… then, I urge you to live a life worthy …
Summary: Living a life worthy of our Lord is a full-time job. It is also a job that requires us to wear many hats.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:1b – The Power to be Worthy”Ephesians 4:1a – What Jesus Wants
As a prisoner for the Lord,
Summary: As Paul begins the fourth chapter of his letter, he reminds us that he is a prisoner “for the Lord.” To put this in perspective, it is helpful to reflect on Paul’s life and what it might have been like had he not met Jesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:1a – What Jesus Wants”Ephesians 3:21 – Glory Church
… to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Summary: Understanding the word “glory” is important if we are to understand the Scriptures. Paul gives us a clue to what the Lord’s church looks like in this passage about glory.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:21 – Glory Church”Ephesians 3:20b – Lame Excuse
… according to his power that is at work within us,
Summary: When it comes to acts of God, everything depends on how much of God’s power is at work. How we can get that power and what it can do are fascinating topics of conversation.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:20b – Lame Excuse”Ephesians 3:20a – More
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
Summary: How much can you imagine? More importantly, what would you ask of God? Is your desire for material wealth and security, or for something more substantial and long-lasting?
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:20a – More”Ephesians 3:19b – Making Room
— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Summary: This meditation takes an unusual turn. When Paul talks about us being “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God,” we have to wonder, “What does that leave room for?”
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:19b – Making Room”Ephesians 3:19a – A Surpassing Love
… and to know this love that surpasses knowledge …
Summary: To question what we know is to question the foundation of our ability to reason. When we discover that we are both flesh and spirit, we find that knowing the love of God is a spiritual experience far beyond what the flesh and understand.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:19a – A Surpassing Love”Ephesians 3:18b – Spiritual Potting Soil, Part III – Liquid Love
… together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
Summary: Continuing on with Paul’s metaphor, we explore what it means to be rooted in love and discover that being fed on God’s love is the key to understanding.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:18b – Spiritual Potting Soil, Part III – Liquid Love”Ephesians 3:18a – Spiritual Potting Soil (Part II)
… may have power …
Summary: Roots are a metaphor for our relationship with God and his love for us. As we put down roots in love, we find the spiritual water and nutrients we need for life. More than that, we are strengthened with power.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:18a – Spiritual Potting Soil (Part II)”Ephesians 3:17b – Spiritual Potting Soil
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love …
Summary: Paul writes, presuming his readers are “rooted and established in love.” But what does that mean, and why would Paul think it important?
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:17b – Spiritual Potting Soil”