Good Morning Girls!
Boy, I had no idea I could get so much out of five little verses! So far this week, we have read Ephesians 3:14-18.
We started the week with Paul on his knees. What a great way to start the week or even each day!! Paul prayed on his knees, not because he had to – but out of “submission, reverence, and intense passion.” (MacArthur Study Bible)
Some men in the Bible prayed on their knees to: show they were ashamed and truly repentant of sin (Ezra 9:5-6); humbled before our Maker (Ps. 95:1-6); giving thanks (Daniel 6:10); publicly-as if to show they were not ashamed (Acts 20:36) – this one makes me think about Tim Tebow and how he kneels on the field before his games.
Source of picture: http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR2W2J4#a=1
Tuesday, we find Paul praying for the spiritual welfare of others – as he so often does. How often do I? Verse 17, says that he wants them to be rooted and grounded in love. That made me think about the Parable of the Sower. We need to have deep roots like the seed in the good soil! (Matthew 13:1-23)
Today, Paul is wanting us to realize the width, length, depth, and height of God’s love. I noticed those are terms for measuring. I think Paul wanted us to know the “vastness and completeness” of that love.(MacArthur Study Bible)
As Christians, love is granted to us and commanded of us. (Romans 5:5 and John 13:34-45). The Bible mentions love so often. It tells us that of faith, hope and love – the greatest of these is love. Over and over we hear about how we should show love to others. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, we read that without love all the world hears is “noise” (clanging cymbals). It wasn’t until Paul showed love by staying when he could have escaped, that the jailer was ready to hear what he had to say about Christ. As a result the jailer and his whole household were saved! (Acts 16:23-32) So just how important is it to show God’s love to others?? Yep..pretty important..in fact, it’s vital and remember it’s commanded of us!
Soaking it in,
Kathy:)