[I pray that]...you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-21 

[I pray that]...you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Ephesians 3:14-21 where Paul - from prison - thinks not of himself - and prays for the church in Ephesus.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V15: Every family is named from God - as Creator his imprint and image is on every human being.  This text calls to mind Psalm 139:13-16. V16: God's glory is a treasure - that we should treasure Him.  Vv18-19: Paul describes God's love as immense in metaphorically unlimited physical dimensions - in breadth, length, height, and depth - it surpasses knowledge.  Vv20-21: While we may feel Paul's prayer is seemingly impossible, Paul describes God as "able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us[.]"   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V14-19: Paul is in prison yet He prays for the church in Ephesus.  This prayer is the epitome of the 2nd greatest commandment to love others - denying self and praying for others that they (a) "be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (b) "may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge," (c) and that they "may be filled with all the fullness of God."  This is a powerful prayer indeed that someone may both know and be filled with the fullness of Christ.  This is a BIG (seemingly impossible this side of Heaven) prayer - one of course that I suspect God likes because it is a BIG ask that only He can fill and that He be loved and treasured is what He seeks. It is the first and most important commandment.  We should pray this prayer for non-believers to come to Christ and for all believers to have this love.       
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid underestimating God's love and power.  Claim the promise that You can never be separated from His love.  Follow Paul's example to love others so much that You pray such BIG prayers for them.  Pray for others!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God whose love surpasses knowledge and is beyond comprehension.  And You loved me while still sinning and hostile to You....Thank You for this love, for my salvation, and for the blessings You pour out every day for me.  I know my faith is not of my own doing and I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 3:7-13 

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:8-10

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Ephesians 3:7-13 where Paul pivots from the theme of unity between Jews and Gentiles to how God's grace worked within Paul to preach to the Gentiles to reveal the mystery of God and the gospel.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V7: God's grace is a gift.  Vv8-9: Christ's riches are unsearchable - similar in meaning to how they are a mystery and only revealed through the Holy Spirit.  We cannot fully fathom these riches on this side of heaven.  V9: God created all things.  V10: The church exists to share the "manifold wisdom of God." V11: God's eternal purpose was realized in His Son Jesus. V12: Christ is accessible and approachable - He wants a personal relationship with us.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv7-8: Paul recognizes that God gave him the spiritual gift to minister to the Gentiles and how he humbly accepted this gift. Vv9-10: Paul's mission is described as bringing "to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places."  V12: Believers have "boldness and access with confidence" to Jesus.  V13: During his time under house arrest in Rome, although he was able to write letters (including Ephesians) and receive visitors, he did not enjoy freedom of movement.  As such, he wrote to the young church to encourage them despite how he was unable to be with them.  He was suffering on their behalf just as Jesus died for believers to be saved.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid arrogance that may lead you (if you are a church leader) to believe that you are anything but appointed and gifted by God for His purpose.  Claim the promise that God holds all things together and has an eternal purpose that is good.  Follow the example of Paul and serve humbly - loving God and others.  Approach God with confidence and live boldly for Him.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who not only created all things, but is in all things, and holds all things together.  You also are at work in all things for good.  I can rest in how my salvation is secure. Thank You for my salvation, for the peace that surpasses understand, and for the blessings You pour out every day for me.  I know my faith is not of my own doing and I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:11-13

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

I continue my study of John and this morning, I focus on on vv11-13. 

Observations of the vv1-13 based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: The OT prophesied about the coming Messiah as Jewish prophets gave hope to the Jews who over its history had experienced both captivity/exile and the destruction/plundering of their temple.  Jesus came first to the Jews during His ministry - He wanted to save the Jewish people (so did Paul - see also Romans 9:1-5) - v11.  To those who believed in Jesus, He gave new birth, regeneration and adoption into His family - vv12-13.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Although He is the Messiah promised in OT, Jesus was not seen by the Jewish leaders as fulfillment of prophecy but instead as blasphemous - v11. However, there were many Jews, including Jewish leaders such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who at the very least showed interest in learning more about Jesus.  Those who do believe in Jesus became a new creation (with Jesus and the Holy Spirit living/working in their hearts) and received a new identity (child of God) - v13.  As children of God, believers experience new birth through God - this is the doctrine of regeneration - see also John 3:1-7.   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Believers should fully comprehend and appreciate our new identity as members of God's family - set apart and saved.  We should tell others about this new identity and family, the inheritance that comes with this identity and family, and that anyone can join this family and also have this rich inheritance - see also Romans 8:16-17. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that gave me new birth, saved me and gave me faith, and through this I became a member of Your family and a fellow heir with You of the riches of Christ. Truly astounding!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings and riches.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” v21

The Parable of the Rich Fool (found only in Luke) starts with a man asking Jesus to help him gain a share of an inheritance (presumably because he is not either entitled or in-line to receive a portion).  Jesus responds with the parable which contains a warning that we must be prepared for Satan to grab hold of our soul should we worship wealth and money.  In the warning, Jesus contrasts focus on wealth and money versus being "rich towards God".  

John Piper has a great post on these very words.

Jesus, please help me avoid focus on money and wealth and help me a good steward of the blessings You have entrusted with me. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God and You have always met my needs - I need not worry.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving because I do worry - about money and about my kids, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. v7

Solomon encourages us to pursue God above all else.  Although he states wisdom, we know that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.  We must understand that our faith will cost us something.  The number one command (Exodus 20:3-4, Matthew 22:37-40) is to love God and to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  

When we pursue God above all else, there is a cost.  Solomon refers to this cost as "all you have].  Elsewhere in scripture we see this cost:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew:20:26-28

Yet our earthly loss pales in comparison to the riches of Jesus Christ.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  Philippians 3:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You gave up Your life for me and You ask that I do the same in the sense that I must be prepared to transform my heart and life to become more like in Your thoughts and ways so that I may glorify You in all that I do because that is why exist.  I am thankful that You would allow me to be Your ambassador!  I am not worthy.  I am broken and in need of Your forgiveness.  For my worry, stress, impatience, arrogance, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.