Ephesians 3:20-21

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Observations
Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.... wow. This always brings me back to healing. I have a very dear friend who is sick. I pray and pray for healing, and I have to have the strength and faith to believe God will heal. It's hard because as Christians we say "if it is Your will, God" and that's very true... but do we doubt that He would heal? He surely surely has the power to do so. I can't question that.

Application
Again, pushing my faith to beyond "reasonable"... I can't limit God. He can do IMMEASURABLY more than I can even imagine.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me despite my limited mind. Help me to have more faith, to push aside my "human understanding" and ask boldly and without wavering. Give the women of this group the encouragement they need to seek You fervently. To You, God, be all the glory, forever and ever. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

Ephesians 3:14-19

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Observations
Just typing those words gave me chills! He prays that we have the POWER to GRASP how much Jesus loves us. This love is beyond understanding! I kept thinking of the song "How He Loves" by David Crowder Band :)

Application
It's easy to dwell on negative things and I have a problem with worry. I worry! This verse reiterates that Jesus loves us SO much. God will lovingly take care of each one of us. Having this kind of assurance that I am so loved gives me such a boost of confidence in whatever I'm doing or encountering. Paul is praying for us to be so empowered. That we are truly filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Prayer
Jesus, I love You! Thank You for loving us so much. Help us to keep in mind HOW much You love us. Strengthen my sisters in Christ and their families with Your power. Dwell in us. In Your wonderful name I pray, amen.

Ephesians 3:10-13

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10-13
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Observations
Verse 12 is one of my favorites of all time. I mean it, I have it framed in my bedroom. I can't ever get over the fact that I can approach God :) I can freely and confidently approach God! The holy, mighty God, Creator of all things. We have an all-access pass!! Even at my worst, when I come "tail-between-legs" and ashamed, God still receives me because Christ covers me.  I think of the prodigal son, how he was still welcomed by his father when he came back. In the same way, even when our sin is disappointing, God has mercy, through Christ. He doesn't turn us away when we approach Him with contrite hearts.

Application
Why do we struggle with approaching God? Are we hiding in the bushes like Adam and Eve due to shame? Are we running away from God like Jonah due to disobedience? Are we listening to Satan's lies, that we need to "have it together" prior to approaching God?

Prayer
Lord, encourage our hearts this morning to pursue you and approach you. We rejoice that you have a purpose for each of us. Help us to make time to seek you and have the confidence to do so even when our lives seem messy. Thank you for allowing us to come to you, and being such a loving, comforting Father. I pray for your presence with each one of us today. In Christ's name, amen.

Ephesians 3:7-9

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-9
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Observations
I really like how Paul humbles himself. Here's this powerful preacher, hand-picked by God, still reaching so many people (even me!) and yet he considers himself "less than the least of all God's people" and even calling himself the worst of sinners (1 Tim 1:15-16).

Application
I can take a humility lesson here, for sure. It also makes me think of how I'm serving and how I can better serve to spread the gospel. I often don't feel qualified, but Paul shows his calling is by grace, through God's power. This is available to all of us, so we have no excuse :) granted we're not all called to be preachers, but as a body we are called to further God's kingdom and to live as witnesses of Christ's love.

Prayer
Father, thank You for grace and the power You give us. I praise You for the unsearchable riches of Christ. Help us to be humble, loving, and bold servants for Your Kingdom today.  In Jesus's name I pray, amen!

Ephesians 3:1-6

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-6
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles --
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit of God's holy apostles and prophets.
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Observation
When I read verse 5, I thought about how fortunate I am to be living in this age, after Christ. All these "mysteries" that Christ's coming revealed, and the law He came to abolish would still apply to me otherwise. I also thought about the great division between Jews and Gentiles back then. How amazing that God granted us a spirit of unity, and such a wonderful feeling of communion as a body! Christ came and didn't leave anybody out of His promise, or outside of His grace.

Application
The concept of grace is often still mysterious to me. Something so undeserved, freely given. It goes opposite to the world's teaching of having to earn things, then the constant boasting when we do earn them, then our constant comparison of what we have earned to what other people have earned, then an overall feeling of dissatisfaction with the whole process. And repeat. The more we pursue God, the further we get from that vicious cycle. With grace, we can see others as co-heirs of a beautiful promise, in a loving and unselfish way.  Instead of bitter, we can be encouraging. Instead of feeling dissatisfied, we can focus on all that God's faithfully providing and His eternal promise. I struggle personally with my current single state. BUT God's been so faithful in providing accountability and opportunities for me to grow and serve. I know He will provide the rest in His time. Meanwhile, I can enjoy fellowship with all you awesome moms and wives, and not feel out of place, as we are all members together of one body :)

Prayer
Thank You God for easing the anxiety in my heart. Thank You for providing this group of Godly women to give me a better understanding of unity. God, forgive us when we discount Your grace and take for granted Your provision. Help us to grow together in love, and encourage each other as co-heirs of Your promise. In Jesus's name, amen.