Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Abiding, Bible, Forbearance, Gentleness, Humility, Patience, Scripture, Walking

HOW TO WALK WORTHY

EPHESIANS 4:2

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

I was walking the other day and stepped up on a sidewalk jamming my right hip. It took a few steps to work that “kink” out, but it got better as I walked. Until… The next day and each day since then (it seems), that hip has been bothering me. I guess I am due to go see my chiropractor and get him to check it. One little misstep has caused some lasting pain.

In yesterday’s verse (Ephesians 4:1) Paul tells us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling.” We talked about the calling yesterday, but what about this walk? What did Paul mean by walking worthy? Well, he went on to explain what he meant in today’s and tomorrow’s verses. Let’s take a look at what walking worthy means and how we can do that.

APPLICATION

Paul gives some descriptions in today’s verse of what it takes to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. First of all, he says we should walk (live our lives) “with all humility.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t like that. I don’t want to be humbled by anyone or anything. But wait a minute. Scripturally, that is a good thing. The word here for humility is tapeinophrosýnē. HELPS Word studies says it is “(lowliness, humility) an inside-out virtue produced by comparing ourselves to the Lord (rather than to others). This brings behavior into alignment with this inner revelation to keep one from being self-exalting (self-determining, self-inflated). For the believer, tapeinophrosýnē means living in complete dependence on the Lord, i.e. with no reliance on self (the flesh).” That’s a pretty exhaustive definition, don’t you think?

Then Paul continues in our verse by saying, “and gentleness.” Wow, not only must we be humble. We must be gentle. The word here is prautés, which is a gentle strength. It does not mean you are weak. Think of a strong, beautiful stallion that has been broken for a rider. That animal still has all the strength it had before, only now it is under control.

Next, we are told to have “patience.” What? That’s asking way too much. Makrothumia means to be long suffering. This really applies towards people, not circumstances. This is the same word used in Galatians 5:22 where Paul gives us the fruits of the Spirit. This is God’s patience towards us.

Lastly, Paul says we should walk worthily by “bearing with one another in love.” The Greek word for “bearing with” literally means “to put up with.” Now, just think of the number of people that may apply to in your life. But don’t get too cocky about that. You are probably on their list too.

Listen, walking worthy of our calling is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. You cannot walk humbly, gently, patiently or with forbearance apart from God. He knows that and will give you all these things if you ask. Back to my opening illustration – I made a misstep that caused me pain. I can get help with that. The same applies to your walk with Christ. You may have mis-stepped, but God can correct it. Go to Him.

O Lord, I want to walk in a manner pleasing to You

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Abiding, Answers, Bible, Calling, Chosen, Following, Holy Spirit, Ministry, Salvation, Scripture

YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED

EPHESIANS 4:1

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”

I was saved at the age of 16 on July 31, 1977. I will never forget that day and where I was when I gave my life to Christ. But I also remember the vocational calling He put on my life during my senior year in high school. I do not have a specific date for that. I just know He called me to a lifetime of service in the ministry of the Gospel. My calling has been a little different than many. Called to work with children and youth for 38 years and now ministering to men around the world. But my calling to salvation was sure as is my calling to serve.

Paul transitions from his prayer in 3:14-21 with this opening statement in chapter 4. Don’t just read “Therefore I” and move on. Those two words are powerful. I love what Albert Barnes said about it. “The sense of the word ‘therefore’ – οὖν oun – in this place, is, ‘Such being your exalted privileges; since God has done so much for you; since he has revealed for you such a glorious system; since he has bestowed on you the honor of calling you into his kingdom, and making you partakers of his mercy,’” And by Paul saying “I,” he was drawing the Ephesians’ attention back to recognize his authority as their teacher and shepherd.

APPLICATION

But back to this calling! If you are a believer in Christ, you have been called to Him. That may have occurred through a song, a passage of Scripture you read, the preaching of the Word or through the still, small voice of God whispering and wooing you. In order to be saved, you must be called. No one comes to Christ unless they are called. Romans 11:29 tells us this calling, once accepted is unchangeabl, “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

I really love how Paul uses this word for “calling” in Philippians 3:14. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And how about this use of the word in Hebrews 3:1. “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;”

I could keep going about this calling all day. Do a word search on that word. The Greek word is klésis. As you study that word, thank God for your calling. Thank Him for opening your ears to hear His voice. Thank Him for not stopping His call to you, even when you resisted. His calling is sure. His calling is permanent. His calling is for you.

Thank You, O Father, for calling my name so many years ago.

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Amen, Asking, Bible, Prayer, Scripture

HOW TO CLOSE A PRAYER

EPHESIANS 3:21

“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

In the ministry where I serve (Every Man A Warrior), we teach men how to pray. You may say What do you mean, teach them how to pray? Doesn’t everyone know how to do that? Well, you would be surprised. In fact, in our lesson about prayer a story is told about a “newbie” who closed his prayer by saying, “Well, over and out.” He didn’t know how to close his prayer, so he just signed off. I don’t think God was offended.

Paul is closing his prayer that he began back in verse 14. There is no right way or wrong way to close a prayer. Paul knows that, but he closes this prayer with a benediction praising God and mentioning the church, Jesus and future generations. I think he was trying to cover the bases, lol. Paul was so thankful for the these Ephesians and what he knew God was going to do through them.

APPLICATION

Okay, this is an easy one to apply. Right? There are so many times each day we lift up a prayer to the Lord. Do you close that prayer each time? Maybe not. Paul told us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” We should always remain in that spirit of prayer. I know people who only say “Amen” when they get ready to go to sleep. They want that channel open all day with God.

God does not care how many times a day you say “Amen.” Do you know the definition of “amen.” It means “so let it be.” In other words, you are agreeing with God what you have talked about. As you pray, the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. As you listen to Him and finish your prayer, you say “Amen.” You’re saying “Okay, Lord, we are in agreement on these things.” The next time you say “amen” think about that.

As I said earlier, there is no right way to close a prayer. Just pray! Talk to the Father. Give Him praise. Confess your sins. Thank Him for all He has done. Share your request. God knows them, but He loves to hear you ask Him. And then when you are finished, you can “sign off.” Or you can leave that “phone” off the hook (you younger folks may need to ask someone what I meant by that, lol) and pick up where you left off later.

May all my prayers, Father, end with an “amen,” a “so let it be.”

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Abundance, Asking, Bible, Blessing, Oveflowing, Prayer, Scripture

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

EPHESIANS 3:20

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”

A number of years ago there was a toy that was produced based on the Toy Story movie character Buzz Lightyear. This spaceman would pop out his collapsible wings on his spacesuit and proclaim, “To Infinity and Beyond,” as he jumped (and usually fell). Kids loved this toy. I can still hear kids screaming his words, lol.

Today’s verse has a phrase that is kind of expressed with that same motto. Paul says, as he describes God, “who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” In other words, Paul says we just can’t put into words what God can do. We are going to look at some of the words in that phrase below, but just think a second about what Paul was trying to portray to the Ephesians in this statement. Think about where they were, surrounded by all these false gods. Only One was truly able to do this.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “far more abundantly” is a compound Greek word with the preposition uper. Don’t let me lose you here. Uper intensifies the other words it is attached to. In fact, of the 28 compound words in the New Testament using uper, Paul uses 20 of them. He obviously like that preposition to strengthen the words he was writing. The word used here is only used three times in the New Testament. Here and in 1 Thessalonians 3:10 and 5:13.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “as we keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may see your faces, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?” Have you ever prayed that way? Have you ever prayed superabundantly? And in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 we see, “and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” Have you done that? Have you ever regarded someone that highly.

Don’t forget that every single word of Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). There’s a reason we see this word used here to define how we pray about God, how we pray for others and how we regard others. Hmm, there might just be a pattern laid out for us to consider. Don’t you think?

Father, I know You see me glorified, even now. Give me Your eyes to see others the way You do.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Filled, Flowing, Oveflowing, Scripture

FILLED TO CAPACITY

EPHESIANS 3:19

“and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.”

Don’t you love a good meal? I remember very fondly the meals we used to have at my Grandma Carter’s farmhouse with all the relatives. What a spread! When those meals occurred, there was no excuse for leaving hungry. You could very easily fill up on all those “vittles.” Man, I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

Paul uses a verb and noun in today’s verse that come from the same root Greek word. They basically mean to be super abundantly filled to your individual capacity. And look what Paul tells us we can be full of – God. How is that possible? Because when you come to Christ and give your life to Him, He comes in and fills you up with His love and grace. It’s like pouring jello into a mold. It fills every cavity.

APPLICATION

This same word is used in Matthew 13:47-48 where it says, “47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.’” It is the same word used to describe the full baskets of leftover fish and bread when Jesus fed the 4,000 and 5,000. When God does something, He goes all out. Go big or go home!

I love how Paul uses the same word over in Colossians 3:9. “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” Now, get the picture here. Christ is full of the Deity. That same Deity dwells in you fully through the Holy Spirit. As believers, we are so full of Jesus, we should have no reason to sin. But we do! We forget the fullness. We forget just how full we are.

You see, our fullness is meant to overflow. We should have a continuous overflowing of the fullness of God. As we overflow, He refills us, and not just partially. He fills us so we can continue to overflow. So, let me ask you something. How is your flow? Are you so full of Jesus today that anyone who gets close to you gets splashed with Jesus? Enjoy the fullness.

And now I’m filled to overflowing. I don’t mind the whole world knowing!

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Abundance, Bible, Dimensions, Inexpressible, Large, Love, Scripture, Size

ALL DIMENSIONS

EPHESIANS 3:18

“may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,”

The size of some things can blow your mind. I had the opportunity to visit The Ark Encounter in Kentucky last year. It was my second trip there but hopefully not my last. This life-sized model of the ark that Noah built is amazing. It is really hard to get your head around the sheer size of it. Ken Hamm built this based on the biblical records. I can only guess what the people during Noah’s time thought of this monstrosity.

Paul is describing God’s love to the Ephesians in today’s verse. He wants them to understand “the width and length and height and depth” of it. He was trying to say that God’s love is so huge, no human measurements come close. It goes beyond all reason. His love covers the breadth of the globe. There is no length He won’t go to reach us. His love is higher than the heavens, and His love is deeper than the oceans. Think of the biggest thing you know and multiply it infinitely and then go bigger.

APPLICATION

Paul uses a similar expression in Romans 8:39 when he says, “nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He is painting the same picture of God’s love.  Not only is it immeasurable, but it is also all encompassing. Nothing can come between us and God’s love.

Many scholars argue what Paul meant by these four terms (width, length, height and depth). But don’t get bogged down in all of that. Sometimes we try to read into a verse something that is just not there. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use these words, I believe, simply to show how big God’s love was to these Gentiles. They had never experienced such love.

Have you experienced God’s love in this way? He loves you more than you can possibly put into words. His love is unending. His love is eternal. His love is expansive. His love…you fill in the blank. John 3:16 says it all. “For God so loved the world…” Do you believe He loves you that much? He does.

Father, I can’t thank You enough for the love You have given me.

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Battles, Bible, Established, Foundation, Scripture, Storms, Winds

ROOTED AND GROUNDED

EPHESIANS 3:17

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

When we lived in Florida, we had the distinct pleasure of living through several hurricanes. The power of those storms is amazing. But what is even more amazing is the strength of some types of trees to withstand the 150+mph winds. We had three large oak trees in our yard that had roots that were deep and wide. When the winds came, they lost a lot of leaves and some smaller limbs, but the trees themselves withstood the torrential rain and wind that lasted for hours.

In verse 17 today, Paul continues his prayer for the Ephesians (and us). He is praying “that Christ may dwell in” our hearts. He also prayed for us to be “rooted and grounded in love.” Just like those huge oaks trees in our Florida yard, we need to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ so that nothing can shake us. Come what may, we are solid. We can withstand the onslaught of evil because Christ is our foundation.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “rooted” is rhizoó, which literally means to fix firmly. We get our word “rhizome” from it. A rhizome is “a rootlike, often thickened, and usually horizontal underground plant stem that produces shoots above and roots below.” You can just picture that, can’t you? A strong network of roots running deep and wide.

It is used by Paul over in Colossians 2:6-7. “6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

The word Paul uses for “grounded” is themelioó. This word is used in Matthew 7:25 when Jesus is talking about the house built on sand and the house built on stone. The house built on stone was themelioó, grounded on the stone. The word is also used over in 1 Peter 5:10. “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Go deep with Jesus. Let Him be your foundation.

Father, we praise You for helping us be rooted and grounded in You.

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Abiding, Bible, Power, Scripture, Strength, Submission

STRENGTHENED INWARDLY

EPHESIANS 3:16

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self,”

I began walking again this summer. Why is that a big deal? Because I have pretty severe neuropathy in my feet. It can get painful at times, so I was hesitant to start walking again. I discovered something recently. The days I don’t walk my feet hurt worse. It seems the walking is stimulating the nerves in my feet in a positive way rather than causing more pain. Who would have thought that? I still have to be careful how I walk as I can trip easily since I can’t really feel my toes. But I am thankful my feet seem to be getting strengthened inwardly.

That fits our verse today. Paul explains to us that the Lord strengthens us “with power through His Spirit in the inner self.” I have never doubted that. Have you? The Greek word translated as “strengthened” is krataioó. It means “to prevail by God’s dominating strength, i.e. as His power prevails over opposition (gains mastery).” (HELPS Word studies. I was once told that when you see a Greek verb ending in “oo,” the emphasis is more about the result of the action rather than the action itself. The result of God’s prevailing power in our lives through the Holy Spirit is what Paul is talking about.

APPLICATION

In regards to the statement “in the inner man,” Albert Barnes says this, “The ‘body’ needs to be strengthened every day. In like manner the soul needs constant supplies of grace. Piety needs to be constantly invigorated, or it withers and decays. Every Christian needs grace given each day to enable him to bear trials, to resist temptation, to discharge his duty, to live a life of faith.” I need my daily Quiet Time. Without it, I wither on the vine. I need the daily nourishment.

In Romans 7:14-25, we read about Paul’s struggle with the inner man of flesh. Take a few minutes and read that passage. But we read this in verse 22, “For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person,” Paul knew it was all about submission to God, to His Spirit. We can fight with our inner self and lose every time. Or we can submit our inner self to God and let His power strengthen us.

Paul also uses krataioó in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” God will strengthen us, but we must submit, we must be on the alert, we must stand firm in the faith. Let the Lord strengthen you today as you face those giants in your life. He may just put a sling and stones in your hand.

I know any power I have to defeat sin comes from You, O Lord. 

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Bible, Blessing, Calling, Family, Glory, Humility, Scripture, Service, Uncategorized

NAMESAKE

EPHESIANS 3:15

“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,”

My daughter and son-in-law gave me such a blessing a few weeks ago when our grandson was born. What was an even bigger blessing is they decided to name him Lucas Carl. He has my name. Why does that bless me? Well, I carry both of my grandfathers’ names – Carl Spence and Clarence William Willis. It’s kind of like carrying on the family name, in a way. Of course, my grandson has his dad’s last name (unless I can get him to change it, lol). Bearing someone’s name is an honor and privilege.

In today’s verse, Paul says all believers have their Father’s name. Now, he didn’t mean we all have to change our name to Jehovah. That would be kind of silly. What he meant was we are now all in the same family. We represent the Father. We are protected by the Father. This applies to all believers, alive or in heaven. We are all one big family.

APPLICATION

What does that mean for us? Well, first of all, it means we need to love each other. In John 13:34, Jesus tells us, “‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’” How are you loving your fellow believer? Are you arguing about the color of the carpet in the sanctuary? How silly! We’re family.

Family means a lot of different things to people. Those who grew up in dysfunctional families can really struggle with the concept of family. They don’t understand that you can disagree and still love each other. Do you really think the disciples always got along? In Mark 10, we have a great story that I think illustrates this point. Remember when John and James asked Jesus if they could sit at his right and left in glory? Read the following and see what happened.

John 10:41-45 says, “41 Hearing this, the other ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them; and their people in high position exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’”

So, love each other and serve each other. That’s what family does!

Thank You, Lord, for making me part of Your family.

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Bible, Blessing, Bowing, Heart, Honor, Humility, Prayer, Scripture

BENT KNEES

EPHESIANS 3:14

“For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,”

Eusebius of Caesarea quotes the writing of Hegesippus, a chronicler of the early Church concerning James, the half-brother of Christ and leader of the early church. “He alone was permitted to enter the holy place, for he did not wear woolen but linen garments. And he frequently entered the temple alone and was frequently found situated upon his knees asking forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard after the manner of a camel, on account of always bending down upon a knee while worshipping God and asking forgiveness for the people.”

I wonder if Paul’s knees were also calloused due to kneeling in prayer. I know mine aren’t. Paul begins a prayer in today’s verse that goes through verse 21. It is one of the most encouraging prayers in Scripture. It is one of many of Paul’s prayers recorded in the New Testament (some say his writings contain as many as 45 prayers or prayer “snippets”). “For this reason” points back to the preceding verses. Paul had many reasons to pray, but the salvation offered to the Gentiles was at the top of his list.

APPLICATION

Okay, this is one of those “duh” verses. What do I mean by that? I mean we can all see how to apply this our lives. I need to bow my knees before the Father a lot more than I do now. I cannot pray enough. In 2 Chronicles 6:13, we see Solomon, the king of Israel, bow in humility. “For Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the courtyard; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.” At this point in Solomon’s life, he was not ashamed to humble himself and pray.

How about this example of kneeling in prayer, despite the danger. In Daniel 6:10 we read, “Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously.” We know the consequence of this. He was thrown into the lions’ den but escaped death because of his obedience to be faithful in prayer.

What is stopping you from kneeling today? Maybe you have bad knees or a bad back and can’t physically kneel. Bowing our knees before God in prayer is about much more than our physical position. It has more to do with our spiritual position. Bow yourself in humility. Recognize the awesomeness of our God. Give Him the honor that is due Him when you pray.

O Lord, forgive me, cleanse me, purify my heart. I bow my heart and spirit before You today.

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