The Fullness of God

I sat through our Bible study at our house last night, listening to Zach teach on Matthew chapter 6. Before reading this chapter together, we were discussing our king Jesus, and how if we truly say that we "follow" him, what would that look like. We were talking about experiencing the "fullness of God." I have heard Zach say this many many times and never has that phrase stood out like it did to me last night.

The definition of "fullness" is the quality or state of being full. Now how many of us say that yes our King is Jesus? How many of us have heard Zach say these words and agreed with him, even knodded as an active listener? How many of us have taken a step back and asked ourselves, am I experiencing the fullness of God? Am I FULL of Him? I know that for myself, I have days where that is not my desire. It is there at some level but not at the level where God intends for us. His desire is for us to long to be full of Him. What would the "fullness of God" look like in our lives? I actually have no idea, but to say that it would look a lot like the characteristics of Jesus, our King. If only we could love like Him, as Doug Kemp pointed out last night. He loves us so much, He wants for us to be full of Him. Welling up, flowing like a river, with love, with compassion, with forgiveness, with grace, with mercy, with a giving heart, with kindness, with humility. Can we make ourselves well up with these things? We can, but soon we will grow weary. Where is the source for this "fullness." God alone.

I turned to Ephesians 3 this afternoon...

Before you read this, clear your mind of perceived thoughts of this verse. It's one of our favorites so we hear it often. But ask God for new eyes to see...

Ephesians 3
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. (that means you and I, coming from the Father) 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 Lord's people, 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.

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.

Tonight as you lay down to sleep or tomorrow morning if you read this before you start your day, ask the Holy Spirit to well up inside of you so that each of us will experience the fullness of God. My prayer is the same as Paul's, that to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. May we have power with all the Lord's people together. This is Hillside, our family. What will people say when they meet us? Will they walk away desiring to have the fullness of God too? I pray so...

Cammie