A Journey Through Ephesians…. 3:14-19 amplified

¹⁴ For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].

¹⁶ May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

¹⁷ May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

¹⁸ That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

¹⁹ [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Ephesians 3:14-19 Amplified

Staying with yesterday’s passage, I want to give you a sneak peak into what I do with a scripture like this. There is SO much here – so many promises. So many cause and effect. I really benefit by studying root meanings and looking at the original intent of words. I often use the Amplified version because it does so much heavy-lifting for us. When I search words in the Greek, I find that the Amplified has already expounded on the meaning within the text. That is why it appears a bit “wordier”….

This may bore you to tears, if so, I get it! Come back another day – no hurt feelings. But I thought I would share just incase this is helpful.

1. v.15 I can’t pass up the chance to point out this sweet revelation. Dads, look at you! Have you ever considered that your name, father, is derived from the OG – God the Father.Maybe that is the biggest no-brainer to you, but this revelation struck me fresh today. What a privilege to bear His title. And friends if you read this and think my dad totally botched his role as dad, then first I am so sorry. That is unspeakably hard. But our heavenly Father will never, ever fail. His unfailing love for you never quits.

2. v. 16 When God gives us strength and power, which He does, where does this gift come from? Do you see? It is granted us out of the RICH TREASURY of His GLORY. A few words to define this ‘glory’ are “splendor, brightness, dignity, grace, excellence, magnificence, majesty.” Wow. This is where He pulls MY strength and power from today? Yes. Now that is a gift.

3. v.17. I love the word picture here – Christ makes His HOME in our hearts. Actually. And verse 16 says he dwells in our innermost being and PERSONALITY. Isn’t that the best? Christ not only fills us with power but shows Himself uniquely through our expressions, animations, voice, touch, love for people. Think of this today as you interact with others. How beautiful.

4. v. 18 Oh friends we need to pray this over ourselves…. do you want to avoid an identity crisis in life? Well – This is the way. If we can comprehend the breadth (great extent), length (number of blessings received from Christ), height (the great elevation) and depth (same word used to define the depth of the sea!) of God towards us… then we will look NOWHERE ELSE for affirmation. Why would we? Everything we need for security in who we are is available to us through the AGAPE LOVE of God. Tank filled.

5. v. 19 I don’t know that I can! It’s so amazing.

6. v. 19 ok I will try…. Paul tells us the WAY to understand this lofty concept of God’s love is… PRACTICALLY. How simple, right? Like everyday through experience … but we must have eyes wide open, looking for His display of Love toward us. Maybe it will show as little blessings throughout your day – a hug from a friend, a beautiful bird at your feeder, a mentor asking you to coffee, an encouraging word from a co-worker, a restful nap mid-afternoon. Or maybe just taking a minute to REFLECT on the countless blessings He has ALREADY put in place – food, a home, family, our health, a beautiful sky, air to breathe, etc etc. Paul is clear that head knowledge won’t do… the Pharisees had head knowledge. But they didn’t KNOW the LOVE of God – practically. See the difference? My friend Cindy calls this “looking for God kisses” throughout the day. He is always giving them out. Today I encourage you to be on the hunt for the ways God “practically” shows His love for you – look for your God kisses – and thank Him for each one.

Oh friends, remember I am not a theologian. But thankfully, we don’t need to be in order to understand this Agape. It is experiential – every moment of our lives.

And today I pray this for us both…. that we may experience and feel the expansive, incomprehensible LOVE of God. That we “may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.” Wow. Yes Lord, this is my prayer. Amen.