Day #3

cspain03
Full Member

Posts: 183

Day #3 Mar 5, 2014 16:40:05 GMT via mobile rickeyd likes this

Quote

Post by cspain03 on Mar 5, 2014 16:40:05 GMT

Two things touched me about today's scripture and they connect to Kia and Rickey's comments from yesterday

1) are we willing to, like Paul, go to prison for Christ and what we believe ?

I don't think there should even be a caviote in the sense to say "not actual prison" - are we willing to go to such lengths. I know I am not there yet.

Verses: 18 you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,
21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We usually here the latter half in church, as a benidiction, but the first part really brings it together. The LOVE of Christ is really beyond us but we should strive to after it I really get to know God, to get to the point where we are willing to go to prison for what we believe - knowing God's love is greater than any prison or anything thing.

I think it's important to hold onto that, not just for this challenge, but for the rest of our lives and how we interact with people and who we think of ourselves - its about love. We will never fully reach our potential or really be able to love another or ourselves or really be able share Christ, or get closer to God or serve Him in a pleasing way without LOVE

Thanks Kia for helping us refocus

donp
New Member

Posts: 44

Day #3 Mar 5, 2014 20:53:19 GMT rickeyd and cspain03 like this

Quote

Post by donp on Mar 5, 2014 20:53:19 GMT

So, there are a few things that stood out to me in Ephesians 3, mostly from verses 16-19.

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

The basis of our salvation is in understanding Christ's love for us. He has always loved us, but what connects us to His love is our faith (verse 17). When we begin to understand that He loved us enough to go to the cross for our sins - we can see LOVE. It should make us feel some type of way in that just like Paul we were inadequate and incapable of even comprehending this. It was by His grace that we were exposed to such a love. Not just for our sake, but for His glory. He shared LOVE with us for His glory! Then as we begin to better understand His love for us and how it relates to other people, (We should strive to share His love with others.) - we get a better understanding of how LOVE operates (verse 18).

I think it is important to note here that when we look at how this matters for relationships. Unless we know/recognize God's love - we're incapable of sharing love with anyone else. This covers a lot. (breadth, length, depth, height, etc.) I believe that this refers to things like, "How do I share with my significant other concerns or criticisms without creating conflict?" "What is the best way to let my brother/sister know that he's wrong and needs to change?" "How do I communicate my frustrations at work without getting out of line?"

Whatever we do, we MUST do it in love! As a result, we get closer to the fulness of God (verse 19). The fulness of God refers to your potential! everything that he created you for - what you were called/purposed to do - your destiny … it's all wrapped up in your ability to comprehend and share Christ's love.

Love is more that an action, it's a lifestyle ...

rickeyd
New Member

Posts: 25

Day #3 Mar 6, 2014 1:47:00 GMT cspain03 likes this

Quote

Post by rickeyd on Mar 6, 2014 1:47:00 GMT

The verses that stood out to me in Ephesians 3 are verses 11 and 12

11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Like Donovan said, because of how great God's love is for us and how He sent his son to the earth to die for our sins, we now have "access" to some things that other people don't have. When God sent His son to this earth, His word (the bible) became ALIVE...living, breathing, walking, talking, and performing miracles. Jesus came to earth to activate our faith. The works that God performed through His son Jesus should be enough to activate our faith. We should have "faith in Him" because of all the miracles, signs, and wonders that He has performed in and through Jesus and many others in the bible. If that's not enough for us, then we should think about the times that God has made ways for us in our own lives. It's kinda like Tye Tribbetts song "If He did it before, He can do it again!" When we are able to really and I mean REALLY have faith in God, there is no doubt that we will begin to have a "boldness" and "confidence" about us because we are SURE that we have "access" to the Kingdom. It is through our faith that God will show Himself mighty in our lives.

I hope you all are able to understand what I am trying to say. It was a little difficult to get it from my head onto this post. If it is at all a bit confusing please let me know and I'll try to clarify.

Love you all!

Post by cspain03 on Mar 5, 2014 16:40:05 GMT

Post by donp on Mar 5, 2014 20:53:19 GMT

Post by rickeyd on Mar 6, 2014 1:47:00 GMT

Quick Reply