Tag: Ephesians 3

Rooted and Established

At the tender age of six, I was starting first grade at a new school. My family was in the process of moving to a town an hour away, but our new home wasn’t ready yet. So, my four older siblings and I spent the first six weeks of the school year commuting with our dad to our new schools. Every morning I woke up in the dark feeling utter dread. A lump would form in my throat and I’d fight back tears when my mom kissed me goodbye. As our station wagon rumbled down the freeway, the anxious butterflies in my stomach intensified with every mile. I dreaded being away from the comfort and security of my mom’s presence and felt untethered and cast adrift in a sea of unfamiliar faces at my new school.

My tearful departures didn’t let up until one day when my mom leaned down to hug me and said, “Even though I can’t be there with you, Jesus can. Just remember that He’s there holding your hand, no matter what.” Her words were such a comfort to me that my tears began to ebb. Every day after that I’d plead, “Tell me again, mom. Tell me about Jesus holding my hand.” Armed with that reassuring knowledge, the angst I’d felt soon faded. 

I’m grateful my mom used that emotional season to point me to Jesus, knowing His presence would comfort me when hers couldn’t. In the midst of my struggles, she taught me to change my perspective so that I could grow stronger and learn to trust Jesus for myself. Like a tree held firmly by deep roots, I learned that attaching myself to Him kept me secure, no matter what challenges I encountered. (See Psalm 1:1-3 and Jeremiah 17:7-8 for other examples of this tree metaphor in Scripture.)

That story came to mind as I read Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)

Here, Paul wraps up three chapters explaining our new identity as children of God and inclusion as fellow citizens with His chosen people. Now he prays we will grasp the magnitude of our new status and live like we believe it’s true. Being rooted and established in love means knowing who we are because we know WHOSE we are—beloved children of the King of Kings. Through the sacrifice of Christ, God did everything necessary to root us in Him; Paul prays that we would grasp this incredible truth with every fiber of our being.

The word “power” used in this translation is the Greek word “katalambano” which means: to take eagerly, seize, possess, apprehend, attain, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive.1 It “implies more than a mental understanding. It literally means ‘to take hold of something and make it one’s own.’ In order for the Ephesian Christians to truly understand the ‘love that surpasses knowledge,’ they needed to go beyond hearsay. This kind of comprehension is experiential. It requires us to take hold of a truth and define ourselves by it. Paul was encouraging them—and all saints everywhere—to meditate on what it means to be fully loved by God for the sake of Christ. He wanted them to grasp God’s love in all its fullness; to know … God’s love is all-encompassing, far exceeding our ability to comprehend. Its breadth and length and height and depth are staggering. It requires meditation, soul-searching, and honesty in order to draw near enough to God to comprehend His nature (James 4:8).”2

My “experiential knowledge” of God’s love began in first grade. The reassurance that Jesus was holding my hand gave me the comfort and security I longed to have. I’ve continued to build on my knowledge and experience since then– growing deeper roots in God’s love through prayer, studying Scripture, and practicing the way of Jesus.

How often do you marvel at the fullness of God’s love for you? How does knowing that He loves you beyond comprehension affect the way you view yourself and interact with others? Regardless of your answers, there’s always an opportunity to deepen your understanding and experience the Lord more fully. Consider spending time in prayer this week inviting God to expand your capacity to experience His love and to let it change your perspective.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

Inspired by Ephesians: A Study of Faith and Practice by Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes and Melissa Kruger, Lifeway Press, 2024.

1. Strong’s Concordance 2638 

2. Got Questions, “What Does It Mean to Comprehend the ‘Breadth, Length, Height, Depth’ in Ephesians 3:18?”

Expanding Intercession

“Does anyone have prayer requests?” I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard that question while sitting in a circle with other believers. Usually people share about the circumstances of people they love—whether it’s asking for physical healing, emotional support, relational peace, or something else that will affect life in the natural world.

After studying intercessions of many faithful people in Scripture, I’ve been surprised to discover they have a very different emphasis. Take Paul’s opening prayer in Ephesians for example: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19, NIV) Paul’s prayer centers on the spiritual realm. He prays for those he loves to receive wisdom and revelation so they can know the Lord better. He prays their spiritual eyes will be opened and they’ll have greater understanding of the power they have through the Spirit.

Inspired by this prayer a few years ago, I started interceding less about circumstances of those I love and more about the eyes of their hearts being opened. While I care about their health, safety, and relationships, I now see that praying for their hearts and minds to be aligned with the Lord will have a more lasting impact (and will actually affect their health, safety, and relationships positively too.) More than anything, I want them to know God deeply and understand the riches they have in Him. It’s been encouraging, gratifying, and sometimes surprising to recognize how God has responded to my prayers over time.

When we intercede for ourselves and others, we have access to a limitless source of spiritual power. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 illustrates this: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV) The answer to this prayer changes how believers see themselves and others. Once we grasp the depth of God’s love for us and root ourselves in it, we overflow with Jesus’ love. Instead of looking for people to fill us, we’re able to pour out God’s love on them.

Jada Edwards explains, “When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are so grounded in love that we are able to see people in the image of God. This type of love should be something we daily ask God to manifest in us and something we daily pray for others in the Spirit of Paul’s prayer.”1 Edwards invites us to stretch our faith and pray for God’s power to be more evident in ourselves, others, and among all believers. Consider these ideas to expand your prayers of intercession:

-In our personal lives: We can ask the Lord to fill us and satisfy us so completely each day that we’re not tempted to look for any lesser thing or person to quench our spiritual thirst. We can also pray for God to give us His power in practical ways—whether it’s enabling us to offer forgiveness and mend a relationship, to give us contentment while a longing remains unfulfilled, or to experience joy that is rooted in knowing Christ instead of circumstances being the way we want. We can ask God to align our hearts and minds to His will and to let the fruit of the Spirit be evident and bountiful in our lives: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a NLT)

-In the lives of others: We can ask God to reveal Himself in ways they can see and feel; to help them persevere and trust Him through trials; to encourage them when they’re struggling; to heal and comfort physical and emotional pain; to provide for tangible needs; to convict them when they’re mired in sin; or to give them wisdom and guidance in making decisions. We can pray for the Lord to help them remain closely connected to Him and to bear fruit that reveals His presence in their lives. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8, NIV)

-In the church (local and global): We can ask God to empower us collectively to show His love to the world; to equip us to serve others with wisdom and grace; to bring unity among all believers in our divided world; to meet physical and emotional needs of the hurting through the church; to keep us humble and pure in heart; and to bring the light of hope into the darkness. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Every suggestion here has been inspired by Scripture. When we let the Bible inform our prayers, we can be confident that they align with God’s will. Consider expanding your prayers of intercession—look beyond circumstances and pray for hearts and minds to be more attuned to the Kingdom of God. Try using Paul’s prayers when you’re interceding for others. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart and to fill you with His love that surpasses knowledge, then watch the way it overflows from your life.

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

1. Jada Edwards, When You Pray, Lifeway Press 2023, 157.

Quenching Your Thirst

Stumbling down the dusty trail, I had one thing on my mind: water. I’ll never forget that summer day in Yosemite National Park. My husband and I had embarked on an ambitious 14.2- mile roundtrip hike from the valley floor to the top of Half Dome, 8,800 feet above sea level. With little planning and minimal gear, we set out to conquer the iconic rock and enjoy Yosemite’s stunning scenery. Only a few hours into our 11-hour adventure we discovered with dismay that one of our bottles had sprung a leak, leaving us with half the water supply we’d brought to last all day. Nonetheless, we decided to press on. 

After ascending the granite backside of the dome and marveling at the panoramic view, we began the long hike back to camp. Our remaining water was long gone, and the dry summer heat intensified as the afternoon wore on. Trudging along the dusty trail, all we could think about was quenching our thirst. At one point, the path paralleled the Merced River and we were tempted to wade in for a drink, but decided against it. The instant gratification wasn’t worth the risk of being swept into the current or ingesting microscopic parasites that could make us sick with Giardia.

The sun was sinking as we neared the final leg of the trail and remembered a drinking fountain stationed near the bottom. Anticipating the cool stream of water touching our lips, we started to run despite our exhaustion. When we finally reached it, I leaned down and drank from the spout until my stomach felt like it would burst.

That’s the first thing I thought of when I read David’s words: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1, NIV) 

Have you ever thirsted for God with that same kind of intensity? Megan Fate Marshman explains: “We come to see through David’s …dialogue that … seeking after God means to have an intimate personal relationship with Him. He desires this closeness to God so much he compares it to thirst (63:1). David seeks satisfaction, something that we all relate to, but he has a different perspective—seeking God IS what satisfies him. He finds fullness in thinking about God, praising Him, remembering all He has done for him. David seeks God because David cannot imagine any other anything that will fill him up mentally, emotionally or literally than God.” (page 89)

In another psalm, David highlights all that the Lord does: “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5, NIV, italics added)

Do you see how David describes the Lord’s blessings on every aspect of our lives: spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental? Seeking Him fulfills us like nothing else can, renewing and rejuvenating us. And the more we pursue the Lord, the more He works in us through the power of His Holy Spirit. 

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians shows a similar theme: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV)

Knowing we are loved like this should change how we see ourselves and those around us. As we root ourselves in Him, our understanding of how deeply He loves us continues to grow. Because of this, “Our actions can have impact as we overflow Jesus’ love to others through us.” (p. 91)

Megan also invites us to consider how this looked for the disciples in Acts 2 when they received the Holy Spirit Jesus had promised them: “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house were they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire the separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Hearing the variety of voices and languages, a crowd gathered and listened in amazement saying, “we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:4 & 11, NIV) Here we see the disciples were empowered by the Spirit, not their own effort. They made themselves available, and God used them mightily.

Another striking aspect of this story is that the crowd came together spontaneously when they heard what was happening. Can you imagine what could happen if we asked the Spirit to flood the places where we spend time; to draw people in so that we could proclaim His wonders like the disciples did in Acts 2? Scripture shows that when Christians unify in this way, revival happens. What incredible impact believers have when they respond to the Spirit together! It inspires me to pray for the Him to fill me more and more each day.

Consider my opening story of the parched hike I took in Yosemite and how my need for hydration propelled me forward. That’s the kind of spiritual thirst that exists in our world today. People are searching for meaning and not finding it. They’re drinking from sources that offer temporary gratification, but not lasting fulfillment. In many instances, the things they’re seeking are causing them harm or creating a whole new set of problems.

Drawing near to God fills us so that we can pour out His love to others. Will you try an experiment with me this week? Every time you take a drink of water, let it prompt you to seek the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to pour His love and grace into you so they can flow out to splash on others. Be open for Megan’s blessing to become a reality in your life: “May you be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God so that you can overflow Christ’s love to a thirsty world.” (page 92)

As believers, we’re called to do two things: Love God and love others. Let Danny Gokey’s song “Love God Love People” inspire you today.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for God: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You, Zondervan, 2020.