It's Me Again God

87. Privileged

It's me again God,

I have been so encouraged by Paul's letter to the Ephesians! Thank You that we have the privilege of being able to read it and have some understanding of the way the Good News was spreading in the early church. Teach me more about You today as I read.

Here, Paul was in prison for his part in making sure that both Jews and Gentiles knew that they equally shared in Your love for them and rich inheritance as Your children. He only does all of this by Your 'grace and mighty power' and considers it a great privilege!

"When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles... assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored."
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:1-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am so thankful that Paul put his own fleshly needs aside to faithfully serve You and ensure he did his part in spreading the Gospel message. He knew from the start that it would be dangerous because he had experience from the other side! He had persecuted Christians so knew full well what would be coming and yet he describes it as a privilege! Thank You Jesus that You wanted me to know about the 'endless treasures' that are mine because You died on the cross! Thank You that despite my sin, I am now able to come 'boldly and confidently' into Your presence each day as I pray and read Your Word.

I am so greatly blessed beyond all words and choose to serve You as Paul did and consider it a privilege to share of the endless treasures of Your Kingdom all the days of my life.

In Jesus' Name,
By Your grace and power,
And for Your glory,
Amen.