Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Battles, Bible, Might, Power, Scripture, Strength

HIS POWER

EPHESIANS 1:19

“and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might”

People with real physical strength are impressive. As a young child, I used to love to watch the Olympic weightlifters. They could lift amazing amounts of weight. From 1960 through 1980 the Soviet Union dominated the heavyweight gold medals. They were big, strong and intimidating. Was their strength natural or chemically induced? We may never know.

Paul isn’t talking about weightlifting in today’s verse, though. He is talking about God’s power, His strength. In this verse, Paul uses three different Greek words to describe this. I want us to take a look at each of these and look at the difference. We know God is all-powerful or omnipotent. It’s one of His attributes, and one we should never doubt.

APPLICATION

The first word Paul uses is dunamis, translated as “power.” It means the “ability to perform”; for the believer, power to achieve by applying the Lord’s inherent abilities. ‘Power through God’s ability’” (HELPS Word-studies). The key here is ability. We should always know we have His power to achieve whatever He asks us to do. It’s not our power. It’s His.

The second word Paul uses is kratos, translated as strength or might. It refers to exerted power. That’s what I saw as a boy when I saw those weightlifters lift those tremendous weights. I saw the strength being exercised. It was visible. How have you seen God’s strength exercised? How about in the winds of a hurricane or in the shaking of an earthquake? How about in the creation of the world itself? His strength is visible all around. It can be visible in us as we use His power to show His strength in and through us.

Finally, Paul uses ischus, translated as “might.” This word shows the force against resistance. Boy, we need that, don’t we? We are in a battle every day. God’s inherent might is visible in and through us as we resist temptations every day. We exert that might through the Holy Spirit. We use the Word of God to combat the impulses of our flesh.

So, how strong are you today? Are you trusting in your own power, strength and might or in the Lord’s. I think Zechariah 4:6 sums it up well. “Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of armies.’”

Thank You, Lord, for Your power, strength and might in my life.

Standard
Abiding, Belief, Bible, Eyes, Heart, Scripture, Understanding

THE EYES OF YOUR HEART

EPHESIANS 1:18

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

Understanding things is essential. Let me give you an example. I love to watch Do It Yourself (DIY) videos for home repairs. I was watching a video this week of a guy insulating his garage door. He seemed so confident and sure, even professional. Then, about midway through the video, he pauses the project and says he messed up. He had not fully understood all the details of the project. He had assumed each panel of the door was the same and cut his insulation appropriately. They weren’t, and he had about eight panels with the wrong size cut. He had not fully understood his project.

Paul is praying, in today’s verse, that the Ephesians will fully understand some things. Paul says, “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.” Albert Barnes says of this phrase, “The idea here is, that Paul not only wished their “hearts” to be right, but he wished their ‘understanding’ to be right also.” He wants them to understand two things – “the hope of His calling” and “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Paul wants them to know what they believe, not just believe. He wants them to be able to defend what they believe.

APPLICATION

Jesus said something similar in Matthew 6:22. “‘The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.’” Our eyes are for seeing. Our understanding is for perceiving – especially perceiving truth. Too many Christians get saved and just stop right there. They truly believe Jesus died for them and have asked Him to forgive their sins and come and live within them. They are saved, but they are ignorant of God’s truths. That makes them susceptible to the enemy.

1 Peter 3:15 tell us, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;” We need to understand truth in order to be able to give a defense. The Greek word for “defense” is apologia, which is where we get “apology.” Think about apologetics. Apologia is defined as “a well-reasoned reply; a thought-out response to adequately address the issue(s) that is raised.” (HELPS Word-studies)

Are you prepared? Do you understand the truths of God’s Word? I don’t mean you have to have a seminary degree or be a theologian. But do you study to prepare to give a defense, to give a well-reasoned reply to someone who asks you about Jesus? That’s what Paul wanted for the Ephesians. That’s what God wants for you.

Thank You, Lord, for a good mind and the ability and freedom to study Your Word.

Standard
Access, Belief, Bible, Following, Gifts, Knowledge, Scripture, Wisdom

WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

EPHESIANS 1:17

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

Who doesn’t want to be wise and have knowledge? I guarantee you every student who is about to sit down and take an exam in school is praying for it. Who says there can’t be prayer in school, lol? But wisdom and knowledge are more than just knowing stuff and understanding things. The Bible says so much about wisdom and knowledge. In fact, we have whole sections of the Bible that are called the Wisdom section.

Paul says in his prayer (that he mentioned in yesterday’s verse) that he is praying that God will give the Ephesians “wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”But what exactly is he asking for? The Greeks loved acquiring wisdom and knowledge, but Paul is speaking more about them knowing how to use it. Notice he said, “a spirit of…” This wisdom and knowledge needed to make an inner change in them. That’s his prayer for them.

APPLICATION

We are probably all familiar with Solomon’s famous prayer to God when asked by God what he wanted now that he was king of Israel. Solomon said in 1 Kings 3:9, “‘So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is capable of judging this great people of Yours?’” 1 Kings 4:29-30 tells us of God’s blessing on Solomon. “29 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of  mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.”

Unfortunately, Solomon ceased using that wisdom and knowledge when he intermarried and starting worshipping other gods. We find this sad end of Solomon’s life in 1 Kings 11:9-10. “9 Now the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, 10 and had commanded him regarding this thing, that he was not to follow other gods; but he did not comply with what the LORD had commanded.”

My point? It’s not just the attaining of wisdom and knowledge. It’s how you use it and how you continue walking in it. We are all fallible, errant believers. We will never be perfect. But God, Who gives us this wisdom and knowledge, is able to carry us through, if we will allow Him. Will you be a lifelong seeker of wisdom and knowledge?

Father, I know any wisdom and knowledge I have is a gift from You.

Standard
Accountability, Asking, Bible, Calling, God's Will, Prayer, Requests, Scripture, Talking

YOU’RE IN MY PRAYERS

EPHESIANS 1:16

“do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;”

For years now I have been praying for a list of friends, family, fellow missionaries and ministries. I am pretty regimented in my list. I have a daily prayer list, a weekly prayer list and a monthly prayer list. If I did not do that, I would definitely leave someone out of my prayers. But I also try to pray spontaneously when someone asks me to pray for them, either in person or through text or email. It doesn’t take but a second or two to bow your head and lift up a prayer to our Father.

Paul loved these believers in Ephesus. He knew he was probably not going to see them again, so he wanted them to know how grateful he was for them and that they were in his prayers. When someone tells you they are praying for you, that means a lot. I am sure when this letter was read to the church, they all smiled, picturing their beloved teacher and fellow believer. They knew the power of his prayers. This brought them comfort.

APPLICATION

Who are you praying for? Who are you praying with? I have to confess something. The one person I don’t pray enough with is my wife. Sure, we pray at meals and once or twice a week before we go to sleep. But I mean we don’t spend that extra, consistent time we need as a couple praying with and for each other. Forgive me, Chris. Encourage me to do better.

Okay, I had to say that.  They say confession is good for the soul. I bet you are not much different. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. Paul uses the adverb, adialeiptós, three other times in Romans 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2:13. Adialeiptós means to not allow any interval of time to separate. We should always be in a spirit of prayer. Prayer is our way to communicate with God. Why would we ever want to stop talking to Him?

A.W. Tozer said, “The key to prayer is simply praying.” It’s not that hard. There are no magic words, just open hearts. Pray for your family. Pray for your friends. Pray for people you know who are lost and need Jesus. Keep praying. Don’t stop. He hears each and every prayer you offer. He will answer in His time, in His way.

Give me knees that are calloused from bending in prayer before You, O Lord.

Standard
Attention, Bible, Commands, Faith, Honor, Love, Relationships, Scripture

OH, I’VE HEARD ABOUT YOU

EPHESIANS 1:15

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,

We have all probably met someone for the first time and upon introductions, they say, “Oh, I’ve heard about you.” I usually respond, “Well, I hope it has all been good.” People hear things about you. Sometimes that is good. Other times, well… We are never quite sure what they heard or who told them. Who told them matters because they could have swayed the story in one direction or another. That’s why we should live above reproach, right?

Paul is bragging on the Ephesians in today’s verse. He had been told, since his absence from them (he had spent about three years there), how they were showing love for each other and about their faith in the Lord. Living in Ephesus wasn’t easy for a believer. Paul knew that firsthand. They were surrounded by pagan temples and occultic behaviors. But they were remaining faithful.

APPLICATION

1 John 4:7 tells us, “Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” What better way to show we love Jesus than by loving each other. We are told over and over again how important it is to love one another. The world is watching how we treat one another. Believers must love one another.

I love what Romans 12:10 says. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;” I really like the last part of that verse in the ESV. “Outdo one another in showing honor.” Isn’t that good? “Outdo one another.” Look at that combination. It is possible to honor someone without loving them. But it is not possible to truly love someone if you don’t also honor them. Remember that.

Love one another. It sounds so simple, but we let the things of the world influence us. We allow our flesh to creep up and snatch that love right out of the air. We allow the influences of the evil one to spout forth from our tongue. Before you know it, we have damaged the very one God has called us to love. Today, love one another. Let the words told about you shout love.

Father, I want to be known as someone who loved his fellow man. Love through me.

Standard
Abundance, Belief, Bible, Blessing, Eternal Life, Eternity, Pledge, Promises, Scripture, Trustworthy

FIRST INSTALLMENT

EPHESIANS 1:14

“who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

I currently have one installment loan that I am responsible for. When I moved to Knoxville, TN back in March, my wife and I had to borrow money to buy our home. That loan is an installment loan. Any type of loan you borrow all at once and repay in smaller increments is an installment loan. I will be paying on this house until I go to heaven or Jesus returns (whichever comes first, lol).

Paul uses this word three times in his letters – here, 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5. Only he uses it in the New Testament. I love how Albert Barnes explains this Greek Word, arrabón. “God thus gives to his people the assurance that they shall be saved; and by this “pledge” makes their title to eternal life sure.” The installment payment God made was His Holy Spirit. We have a little taste of heaven by being indwelt with His Spirit.

APPLICATION

Let’s look at the other two occurrences of that word. 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, “who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” In the same letter, Paul says this in 5:5, “Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge.” This word was a common term used in business transactions. It was a promise of future payment. This pledge or first payment was meant to show you were good for the rest.

Aren’t you glad we know our God is good for the rest? His promises are sure. He will never fail us. He has promised us so much, but the best is an eternity with Him. Can you imagine? No more alarm clocks waking you up to go to work. No more bills to pay. No more aches and pains. No more…you fill in the blank. We will have a lot of “no mores,” but we will also have a lot of “so much mores.”

Take a minute and thank God for His gift of the Holy Spirit in your life as a believer. Thank Him for convicting you of sin.  Thank Him for uttering our deepest pains when we can’t find the words. Thank Him for His guidance through difficult situations. Thank for this pledge of our inheritance.

Father, You have promised us so much and given us this pledge as a reminder.

Standard
Belief, Bible, Holy Spirit, Promises, Scripture, Sealed

SEALED

EPHESIANS 1:13

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise,”

Marking something that belongs to you is pretty customary. Ranchers brand their livestock to identify them as belonging to them. Libraries stamp books. Notaries put their seal on a document signifying that they have legitimized it. There are all sorts of seals that we use today. None is more important than the seal we are going to see today in verse 13 of Ephesians 1.

Paul sets out an order of things in this verse. First you listen to the message of truth (the gospel), then you believe and then and only then are you sealed with the Holy Spirit (of promise). We could stay on this verse for a month and not teach everything in it. Don’t worry, we won’t do that. Let’s concentrate on the sealing that Paul talks about here.

APPLICATION

You are sealed when you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Greek word used here is sphragizo. It means “to seal (affix) with a signet ring or other instrument to stamp (a roller or seal), i.e. to attest ownership, authorizing (validating) what is sealed.” (HELPS Word-studies). What is important about this word is how it is used. It is in the Aorist tense which implies a one-time act. It is in the Passive voice which means it was done to you by someone else. God sealed you with His Spirit. You did not seal yourself.

The same word is used over in 2 Corinthians 1:22. Let’s look at that verse in context. “21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” The Holy Spirit is proof that we have been identified as belonging to God. Now, understand something. Why is a seal important? Because you want others to see it. Others should see the mark of God on us.

Are you showing God’s seal today? Do your lost friends see the Spirit’s influence in your life by how you live? They should. The seal of the Spirit should be very apparent. We should wear that seal proudly. Make your seal known. Let others be drawn to God through the Spirit of God that dwells within you. Let’s keep “branding” others for Jesus.

Father, I am proud to wear Your seal of the Holy Spirit on my heart.

Standard
Abiding, Belief, Bible, Choices, Decisions, God's Will, Hope, Messiah, Promises, Scripture, Trust

FIRST TO HOPE

EPHESIANS 1:12

“to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.”

Some people are eternal optimists. They have hope when all else fails. They seem to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, as the saying goes. It seems nothing gets them down. When things are at their lowest, they will say, “Well, it could be worse.” Don’t you just hate those people, lol? Seriously, we could use more people like that in the world, couldn’t we?

Paul uses a phrase in today’s verse which has many scholars disagreeing. “We who were the first to hope in the Christ” could refer to the Jews, who first hoped in a Messiah. It could refer to the first Christians, Jews and Gentiles. No one is sure who Paul was referring to here. We’ll have to ask him one day, won’t we? However he meant it, these people “would be to the praise of His glory.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “first to hope” is proelpizó, which comes from two Greek words, pro, meaning before, and elpizo, which means “actively waiting for God’s fulfillment about the faith He has inbirthed through the power of His love.” (HELPS Word-studies). Are you still with me? This word is only used right here in Ephesians 1:12. From the definition, I personally believe he is referring to the Jewish believers who had held a hope for the Messiah and then responded when He arrived.

But how does this apply to us today? Jesus has already come and gone. He came to give us access to the Father (John 14:6). Now we hope in His return. When will that be? Nobody knows. But we have been told how. Acts 1:9-11 says, “9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”

Are you gazing intently? Are you watching for His return? It could be any day. Prophecies have been fulfilled. We are at the threshold of heaven. Are you ready? He is coming. We can hope in that. Give someone else that hope today. Share the good news of Jesus with a lost friend or family member. Then they too can hope in Christ.

Lord, You are returning. I stand today gazing at the sky hoping it is today.

Standard
Bible, God's Will, Plan, Scripture, Sovereignty, Works

HE WORKS ALL THINGS

EPHESIANS 1:11

“In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,”

It is one thing to have a certain task to complete. It is a whole other thing to be responsible for everything. That is why some people who excel in one level of management flop when moved up to a higher level. They do well managing one or two tasks, but when they are responsible for a whole department with multiple moving parts, they can’t handle it.

Aren’t you glad our God can handle it? Paul says in today’s verse, “who works all things.” God has been described by some as the universal agent. He is the one who controls everything. Albert Barnes says this about that statement, “The agency of God is seen everywhere. Every leaf, flower, rose-bud, spire of grass; every sunbeam, and every flash of lightning; every cataract and every torrent, all declare his agency; and there is not an object that we see that does not bespeak the control of an All-present God.”

APPLICATION

1 Corinthians 12:6 uses the same word. “There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.” How about Philippians 2:13? We see the word used twice there. “for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.” God is at work – always. The Word says God never sleeps nor does He slumber (Psalm 121:4). He doesn’t fall asleep watching over you (unlike me when I watch tv with my wife, lol).

We can rest in the fact that God is always working in our lives to accomplish His perfect will. That’s what the end of today’s verse says – “in accordance with the plan of His will.” The word for “plan” here is boule, which means “more than God’s immutable plan of physical circumstances. It always also includes the Lord’s purpose in them.” (HELPS Word-studies) So, rest in this fact – God’s got this!

Lord, thank You for “having this.” I can rest in Your promises.

Standard
Access, Answers, Bible, Decisions, Father, God's Will, Judgment, Love, Plan, Scripture

GOD’S MATH

EPHESIANS 1:10

“regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”

We probably all had that one teacher that we were scared of. Mine was Mrs. McCracken, my fourth grade math teacher. She told us all on the first day that she might turn green and fly around the room. She really said that. She was hard. I remember having to stay in from recess to recite multiplication tables. Mrs. McCracken demanded perfection. To this day I can still recite those tables, lol.

God has His own kind of math, though. Paul uses a phrase here today, “to bring all things together,”which is actually one Greek word. It’s a long one, though – anakephalaioó. It means “bring to a head, recapitulate” – head-up, summing up all the parts as a comprehensive (organized) whole.” (HELPS Word Studies). In other words, Paul is saying Christ will wrap all this up. He has finished the equation. The answer is clear.

APPLICATION

You are probably thinking Enough already with the math stuff. Sorry about that, but it is pretty plain to see. God had a plan from the very beginning. He didn’t need any “new” math to get the answer He had planned. Jesus was and still is the only answer. Go back and read verses 3-10. You need to see the whole flow (by the way, that is only four sentences, the fourth which continues through verse 12). God had a plan. God’s math always gets the right answer. That answer is Who? Jesus.

Anakephalaioóis only used twice, here in today’s verse and over in Romans 13:9 which says, “For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”Love sums up all things. Jesus is love. Here’s a math problem for you: If God is love and Jesus is God, then Jesus is love.

If you had to “add up” your life, what would it equal? Would the negative overcome the positive? Would the hate you show outweigh the love? We need to use more of God’s math and less of ours. Recognize that all things add up in God’s eyes. He knows the plan He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11). His plans always include Jesus. How about yours?

I am so grateful You had a plan, Father, from the very beginning.

Standard