I BOW MY KNEES
Thursday – December 8, 2016
The Lord our God is good! Greetings from The Three Minute Word publication of Eastern Gate Ministries International. Praise the Lord for our unequaled position in Him. Now we will move on in our study.
Ephesians 3:12-14 (KJV)
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We find the Apostle Paul going on to write that it is his desire that the folks at Ephesus not become discourage or concerned over the tribulations (pressures) he is being subject too. He indicates that this is necessary and for their benefit.
Ephesians 3:13 (MSG)
13 So don’t let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!
It seems to me that the Apostle Paul somehow viewed the tribulations that accompanied his ministry to be necessary parts of that ministry. This appears to me to be inconsistent with our example which is the ministry of Jesus. Jesus had pressures or tribulations that came to Him but they had no effect on Him. For example He was not stoned, shipwrecked, or killed until He laid down His life for all of mankind which is what He came to do. We are not called to die for Jesus (God), He died for us that we could have an abundant life right in the midst of stealing, killing, and destroying on our left hand and our right hand. Because the Apostle Paul could see that the things happening to him (through a door he opened) was having a negative effect on those he was ministering to so he entered into prayer for them.
Ephesians 3:14-17 (KJV)
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
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,
The whole family in heaven and earth is named with our Lord Jesus Christ. We, the Church, are the bride of Christ or Jesus. Just as in natural marriage the wife takes the name of the groom so in this marriage of wholeness (spirit, soul, and body). For example my wife was Patricia Snow before she married me and then she was Patricia Snow Wood. In Christ Jesus I am David Wood Jesus. I conduct Kingdom of God business in the name of Jesus just as Patricia does business in the name of Wood. As I taught in a prior study, the Old Testament saints who died in faith went into Abraham’s bosom. After the crucifixion of Jesus but before the resurrection Jesus went from hell proper over into this specially partitioned place where the Old Testament saints we preserved and preached the gospel. When Jesus was resurrected so were they, this was the first wave of the First Resurrection. The spirit of those who have died since the resurrection of Jesus to this day are in Heaven and their bodies in the earth and they are named Jesus as well. Those of us who remain alive in the earth spirit, soul, and body are also named by the name of Jesus.
The Apostle Paul is asking the Father to grant the folks at Ephesus be strengthened according to the extraordinary goodness of God by the miracle working power of the Holy Spirit in their inner man (spirit and soul). Please recognize that the Holy Spirit is not now just going to give these folks a burst of supernatural strength and the next morning they will be leaping large buildings spiritually. No, they are going to have to study, they are going to have to renew their minds which will strengthen their inner man building faith rooted and grounded in love.
Paul tells them, you need to be stronger. He basically tells them they need Christ dwelling in their hearts by faith. And they must be rooted and grounded in love (agape – Bible Godly love).
I will pick-up right here in our Study tomorrow. Please take the time to read the following SPECIAL MESSAGE and prayerfully consider partnering with this ministry.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
As the end of the year rapidly approaches we at Eastern Gate Ministries International and The Three Minute Word publications ask that each of you consider contributing to this ministry. This is how friends of the Ministry become partners. A Partner is one who contributes to this ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, even annually) and prays for the successful mission of this ministry for the glory of God. A Friend of the ministry is one who has been using the ministry resources and hopefully praying for the success of this ministry to expand the Kingdom of God for the glory of God. If this ministry has added value to your life I would encourage you to contribute to the ministry but only as led of the Lord. It is impossible to reap without sowing. To those of you who have been faithful partners with this ministry please receive our heartfelt gratitude.
Philippians 4:17-20 (KJV)
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
For those who are friends of this ministry and do not believe you are led of the Spirit of God to be partners we are grateful for your friendship and prayers.
3 John 1:2 (AMP)
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
