💖August 7 & 8 - EPHESIANS 3 PROMPTS DEVOTIONAL (MP)

 

🌅 Day 2 | Week 3 

PROMPTS Devotional – Ephesians 3:16–17

Focus: M – Meaning & P – Practice

 

Hello Sisters,

Welcome to Day 2 of Week 3 in our Loved to Love journey through Ephesians!

Today, we shift our focus to the Meaning of Paul’s prayer and how we can begin to Practice it in our daily lives. These verses remind us that real strength doesn’t come from outer effort—it comes from being empowered by the Spirit and rooted in God’s love.

🌿 Take time today to pause, pray, and study.
Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart as you reflect on the depth of God’s love and what it means to be grounded in it.

🕊️ Set aside some quiet, focused time to reflect on the Meaning section of the devotional—let it speak personally and deeply to your heart.

📖 Then, read through the Temperament "I" Statements for both your primary and secondary temperaments, and note the ones you feel led to apply.

🧠 M – Meaning ( Key Words and Verses)

Ephesians 3 is a deeply relational chapter. Paul is not just teaching theology—he’s inviting us into a transformative truth: God’s love is the foundation of all meaningful connection.

We are not meant to love others out of effort alone—but out of being rooted and grounded in the unshakable love of God.

Take note of what resonates with you, as we look at the richness of this passage and its key words:

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🗝️ Key Words & Their Meanings

Mystery (v.3, 4, 6, 9):
In Greek, mystērion refers to a divine truth once hidden but now revealed. Here, it means the previously hidden plan that Jews and Gentiles (all people) are united as one in Christ. This mystery is no longer a secret—God has made it known through His Spirit.

 

Rooted (v.17):
From the Greek rhizō, meaning to be firmly fixed, like a tree planted deep in the soil. To be “rooted in love” means that love isn’t an add-on—it’s the very foundation of your inner life and outward actions.

 

Grounded (v.17):
From themelioō, meaning to be established like a building on a solid foundation. Grounded love is not emotional or fleeting; it’s the structural base of a transformed life.

 

Empower (v.16):
From krataioō, which implies being strengthened or made strong inwardly. It’s not about physical strength but being fortified in the soul—so that we don’t break under pressure but grow deeper in love.

 

Comprehend (v.18):
The Greek katalambanō means to lay hold of, grasp fully, and make it your own. Paul isn’t asking us to “figure out” God’s love mentally—he’s praying that we experience it personally and intimately.

 

Width, Length, Height, Depth (v.18):
These aren’t just poetic words—they describe the limitless dimensions of God’s love:
Width—It includes all people, no matter how far or different.
Length—It lasts forever; it never gives up.
Height—It lifts us to heavenly places with Christ.
Depth—It reaches to our lowest points, our pain, sin, and hidden places.

 

Filled (v.19):
Plēroō means to be completely full—like a container that overflows. Being “filled with all the fullness of God” means His presence, love, and power aren’t just near you—they live in you.

 

Love (agape):
This is not sentimental affection but sacrificial, unconditional, covenant love. It’s love that initiates, endures, and transforms. Agape love chooses even when it’s costly, inconvenient, or unreturned.

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💡 Summary of the Meaning

Paul’s prayer is not for comfort, success, or escape from trials—but for a strong interior life rooted in love.

He knows that until we are fully convinced of God’s love, we’ll always struggle to love others well. That’s why he doesn’t just preach truth—he prays it into our hearts.

His message is this:

The deeper your roots go into God’s love, the stronger you’ll stand when life gets tough.

And this love isn’t just vertical (between you and God). It’s meant to be horizontal—poured out to others in humility, forgiveness, unity, and compassion.

Ephesians 3 teaches us:

We are empowered inwardly by the Holy Spirit.

• 🛠 Practice:  Practical Applications

  Let today be a turning point—a commitment to walk in love, not just feel it. These are not quick fixes, but intentional habits to practice daily from this moment forward.
  
  Carefully and slowly read your primary and secondary temperaments "I will" statements below: 

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  Choleric

  • I will pause before responding, especially in tense moments, and ask: “Am I rooted in love right now?”

  • I will choose listening over leading when someone needs compassion more than direction.

  • I will practice gentle strength, remembering that love doesn’t dominate—it serves.

  • I will lead with humility, not control, trusting God to accomplish more through surrender than through force.

  • I will stop measuring success by results and start measuring by how lovingly I respond.

  
  

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  Sanguine

  • I will go deeper in conversations, asking people how they’re really doing—and listen without interrupting.

  • I will make time daily to sit quietly in God’s presence, letting His love fill me before I pour out to others.

  • I will stop avoiding hard moments with humor and face uncomfortable conversations with grace.

  • I will let my joy come from being loved by God, not just from being liked by others.

  • I will slow down and love from depth, not just from delight.

  
  

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  Melancholic

  • I will replace self-criticism with truth: “I am rooted in love, not in perfection.”

  • I will stop overthinking what I give—and start offering love freely, trusting God with the outcome.

  • I will extend the same grace to others that I long for in my most vulnerable moments.

  • I will let love interrupt my inner fears and soften the way I see myself and others.

  • I will choose connection over correction when someone falls short.

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  Phlegmatic

  • I will stop retreating and take initiative in one relationship where I’ve grown passive.

  • I will show up in conversations that feel uncomfortable—trusting God to give me strength to speak in love.

  • I will say yes to opportunities to serve, even when my comfort is challenged.

  • I will seek peace without avoiding necessary truth.

  • I will remember that love sometimes requires action—and I will move when God nudges me.

💬 Reflection Question

What two “I will” statements are you choosing to apply from your primary temperament—and two from your secondary?

Take time to reflect on the list above and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your choices.

Post all four “I will” statements—two for your primary temperament and two for your secondary— in the comments.

Let’s encourage each other as we grow intentionally in love and transformation.

Thank you everyone.  You are loved to love. 💖.