https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Ephesians+3
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 18 July 2024:
Ephesians 3:3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 19, 20, 21 – “The mystery was made known to me by revelation…. revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…. I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power…. this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…. we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him…. that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…. to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God…. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”
Paul was equally emphatic that his faith, love, knowledge, preaching ability, boldness, and strength were all gifts from God rather than the product of his abilities. In fact, he emphasized that the gifts he had obtained from God and shared with others were “unsearchable,” surpassing human knowledge or understanding, and beyond what anyone could ever imagine or ask from God; and his prayer was that others would experience the same fullness of God, being filled up by God. Paul relentlessly gave God all the glory. Do you?
Don’t make the mistake Moses made at Meribath: “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10) Don’t attempt to share the glory with God as He works through you with His power — It is never “we;” it is only “He.” Watch out for that personal pronoun, “I” when celebrating accomplishments. To God be the glory.
We were designed by God to continuously abide (live) in Him and to receive everything we need for life from Him, like a branch receives all life from the vine, bearing the fruit of His life trough us. (see John 15) We cannot be fruitful apart from His continuous provision, and there is no life in what we try to do independently. If you seek to do life from your own human understanding, will, and abilities, it you try to handle life’s challenges (even the smallest challenges) apart for the continual revelation, instruction, and power of God, you will place upon your shoulders an impossible burden which will only leave you exhausted and defeated. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Cast your burdens upon the Lord, trust in Him, and rest in Him with continual love, joy, peace, contentment, and gratitude.
Ephesians 3:20 — Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
The primary theme throughout today’s readings is the Sovereignty of God and our total dependence on His grace, guidance, and provision in our lives. Apart from Him, we are nothing and can accomplish nothing of value. (Review John 15) We must be continually reminded of this fact since we are so tempted to grow prideful, self-reliant and self-promoting, which is celebrated by the world with its philosophies of humanism and rationalism. When we return to the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (when we presume we don’t need God to decide what is good and bad or right and wrong, and when we begin to follow our own desires rather than His will – Genesis 2) we walk away from the Tree of Life, Jesus, and we no longer bear the good fruit we were intended to produce. We are created to live by God’s grace, rejoice in God’s grace, proclaim God’s grace (in word and deed), and glorify God as evidence of God’s grace. To whom do you give the credit for your talents, skills, abilities, accomplishments and successes? Do people praise you or your God in Heaven?
“At times we feel as if we could impress God with all we are trying to do for Him and His church. Yet God has yet to be impressed with even the most grandiose human aspirations (Ps. 8:3-4). You will never set a goal so big or attempt a task so significant that God does not have something far greater that He could do in and through your life. Saul of Tarsus worked harder than anyone else to impress God with his efforts, only to discover that his greatest achievements were but rubbish compared to God’s will for his life (Phil. 3:7-8).
Our problem is that we become too easily enamored with our own plans. If we are attempting to do noble or difficult things, we assume that we must be experiencing the maximum potential for our lives and that God must, therefore, be pleased with us. Until we have heard from God, we cannot even imagine all that our lives could become or all that God could accomplish through us.
We need to remind ourselves that the Father sees the “big picture,” that His power far exceeds our limited imagination. We must set aside our own agenda, however lofty. We must never become satisfied with our own dreams, for they are finite at best. When we follow God’s direction we will witness things happening in our lives that can only be explained by His powerful presence. How could we be satisfied with anything less?” (Henry T. Blackaby)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 18 July 2024: Celebrated God’s grace and provision in your life. Go out of your way to give God all the glory today. In all that you say and do, point others to Jesus – don’t allow yourself to be a distraction to others from Him.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 