Scripture-
Ephesians 3:16-17a, NASB
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell richly in your hearts through faith;
Observation-
Paul continues to pray for the Ephesians; that through the Holy Spirit they would be strengthened with power, a strength that comes from the inner man.
And he prays that Christ would dwell richly in their hearts.
Application-
My mother had a chest in which she kept the silverware that had been a wedding gift. We pulled it out on special occasions, usually Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. I loved to set the table when it involved getting out the wooden chest that the silver was stored in and placing them carefully at each place setting. With the passing of my mother this chest of silverware became my own and for those first few years I did the same thing. One day I had a new thought, that this was something to be enjoyed, not just three or four times a year, but everyday. I lined my drawer dividers with felt and placed the silver where my flatware set had been; relegating that set to our camping dishes. It takes a little extra care, but now I enjoy this set all the time and have even added to it as I find pieces in antiques shops.
As I have read these first three chapters of Ephesians I have felt like I have kept these blessings-the riches we have in Christ-shut away in a safe place. These past few weeks as I have taken each out and looked at them again I am amazed at how I have come to not really give them much thought in my day to day life. That is the problem with keeping our treasure stored away in a box somewhere. Christ is dwelling in my heart, but I think I have kept Him from dwelling there "richly." To be honest I am not even sure just what that means. Perhaps I have allowed myself to be content with lesser things; with just flatware, instead of getting out the silver.
A question to ask: when it comes to the inner man, are we relying on someone else to bring the food to us? Are we expecting Sunday morning and Wednesday night to be all that we need, or are we opening up our lives every day to the Lord? Is that when Christ is able to dwell in us richly? So today this prayer of Paul becomes my prayer. In the days to come I want God to teach me how to live like a child of the King. A child who has all these riches available for everyday use.
Blessings,
Deb
Ephesians 3:16-17a, NASB
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell richly in your hearts through faith;
Observation-
Paul continues to pray for the Ephesians; that through the Holy Spirit they would be strengthened with power, a strength that comes from the inner man.
And he prays that Christ would dwell richly in their hearts.
Application-
My mother had a chest in which she kept the silverware that had been a wedding gift. We pulled it out on special occasions, usually Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. I loved to set the table when it involved getting out the wooden chest that the silver was stored in and placing them carefully at each place setting. With the passing of my mother this chest of silverware became my own and for those first few years I did the same thing. One day I had a new thought, that this was something to be enjoyed, not just three or four times a year, but everyday. I lined my drawer dividers with felt and placed the silver where my flatware set had been; relegating that set to our camping dishes. It takes a little extra care, but now I enjoy this set all the time and have even added to it as I find pieces in antiques shops. As I have read these first three chapters of Ephesians I have felt like I have kept these blessings-the riches we have in Christ-shut away in a safe place. These past few weeks as I have taken each out and looked at them again I am amazed at how I have come to not really give them much thought in my day to day life. That is the problem with keeping our treasure stored away in a box somewhere. Christ is dwelling in my heart, but I think I have kept Him from dwelling there "richly." To be honest I am not even sure just what that means. Perhaps I have allowed myself to be content with lesser things; with just flatware, instead of getting out the silver.
A question to ask: when it comes to the inner man, are we relying on someone else to bring the food to us? Are we expecting Sunday morning and Wednesday night to be all that we need, or are we opening up our lives every day to the Lord? Is that when Christ is able to dwell in us richly? So today this prayer of Paul becomes my prayer. In the days to come I want God to teach me how to live like a child of the King. A child who has all these riches available for everyday use.
Blessings,
Deb
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