7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
From the point of Paul's Demascus Road encounter with Christ to the point that He was penning this letter to the Ephesians some 30 to 40 years had elapsed. So when Paul says that he became a servant of the gospel it was something that occured over the majority of his adult lifetime. We become the person that God has designed us to be as we refine out of our lives the selfish issues and sins that hinder our growth in Christ. We are all a work in progress the question is are we truly, actively at work in the process? So if you are a Christian for say, 10 years, have you been walking with the Lord, learning and growing, changing and developing continually for ten years or have you been learning the same lessons of the first year or two over and over for ten years? There is a ginormous difference. Let's examine ourselves and be honest, I think for most of us we have a bit of both, some things we have grown out of and others are still with us and we tend to get into a comfort zone of making amends with being what I call "holy enough"- better than who I was but not perfect yet. I would like to challenge us to take it up a notch and seek him for victory over the things that easily beset our progress.
APPLICATION
To seek him for victory over the things that easily beset our progress and resolve to tackle it.
Welcome
One of the most effective ways to allow the Word of God to affect your life is to study it inductively. That is what this blog is all about. Typically one verse per day will be mined for insight and then followed up with how I plan to implement that insight practically. My prayer is that in some way you find this useful in your journey and that it may impact you positively. -G
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Ephesians 3:6
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Who's invited to join the kingdom of God? "Whosoever will" respond to God's invitation--that is, anyone who accepts the Gospel of Jesus and gives their life over to God!
None are excluded all are eligible, no race, nationality, no lineage not even heinous former lifestyles can render anyone ineligible to partake in the riches of the glorious gift of eternal life found in Christ.
Up until Paul writing this out there was a closed and exclusive bond around Judaism, the fact that God was now making His appeal to all men was an enormous upheaval in the culture of the day.
APPLICATION
To know that God may want to do something new, something counter cultural, and that I need to be open to be guided into it.
Who's invited to join the kingdom of God? "Whosoever will" respond to God's invitation--that is, anyone who accepts the Gospel of Jesus and gives their life over to God!
None are excluded all are eligible, no race, nationality, no lineage not even heinous former lifestyles can render anyone ineligible to partake in the riches of the glorious gift of eternal life found in Christ.
Up until Paul writing this out there was a closed and exclusive bond around Judaism, the fact that God was now making His appeal to all men was an enormous upheaval in the culture of the day.
APPLICATION
To know that God may want to do something new, something counter cultural, and that I need to be open to be guided into it.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Ephesians 3:5
5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Revelation: The act of disclosing or discovering to others what was before unknown to them; appropriately, the disclosure or communication of truth to men by God himself, or by his authorized agents, the prophets and apostles. Websters 1828 dictionary
God had a specific revelation for the generation that Paul preached to and He also has a specific revelation for this generation. Whatever the age there is a particular agenda that God is working on, and accordingly His revelation will define and shape what He wants His people to be doing. If for example we are to see the return of Christ then He will prepare us to walk in that, if we are to continue to occupy and build the Kingdom on earth for another millienia then so be it but His revelation will speak to that, and guide us with all wisdom.
The apostles and prophets were given this special revelation back in the first century. Now in the latter days the prophets and apostles do not have the titles as such we do have people in the body of Christ with these abilities.
APPLICATION
I need to be open to the Lord giving me revelation or to be open to someone in the body expressing revelation.
Revelation: The act of disclosing or discovering to others what was before unknown to them; appropriately, the disclosure or communication of truth to men by God himself, or by his authorized agents, the prophets and apostles. Websters 1828 dictionary
God had a specific revelation for the generation that Paul preached to and He also has a specific revelation for this generation. Whatever the age there is a particular agenda that God is working on, and accordingly His revelation will define and shape what He wants His people to be doing. If for example we are to see the return of Christ then He will prepare us to walk in that, if we are to continue to occupy and build the Kingdom on earth for another millienia then so be it but His revelation will speak to that, and guide us with all wisdom.
The apostles and prophets were given this special revelation back in the first century. Now in the latter days the prophets and apostles do not have the titles as such we do have people in the body of Christ with these abilities.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
APPLICATION
I need to be open to the Lord giving me revelation or to be open to someone in the body expressing revelation.
Prov 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Ephesians 3:4
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Paul an Apostle, a chosen vessel through whom God instructed His people toward a right relationship with Himself. Being endowed with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, had the capacity to have insight into the mysteries of the Scriptures. That same Spirit who empowered Paul and raised Jesus from the dead also indwells us. How well are we stewarding that awesome power? Do we seek Him for insight and understanding on behalf of others in the body of Christ or are we stuck in the zone of praying for comfort and safety and the occasional parking spot? Come on people, talk about wireless technology, we have a direct line to the throne room of God and we find it hard to make the call. What's up with that? I submit that it is the spirit of the age, apathy, lethargy and distraction, that keeps us believers ineffective, and on the sidelines. The parable of the talents is the definitive depiction of how we are to be shrewd, industrious and effective with the gifts God has given us, and the rewards that await us when we are impactful with them. Chief among the various gifts is the Holy Spirit. So in the spiritual realm if you are the janitor in a Fortune 500 company and you are the only believer on site you are God's man on the scene with the authority of heaven and the guidance of His Spirit to do His will. Walk in that calling, seek Him for the wisdom that is from on high, remember His modus operendi is to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. So make it happen.
APPLICATION
I will seek to be bold today and be sensitive to His Spirit and accomplish great things.
Paul an Apostle, a chosen vessel through whom God instructed His people toward a right relationship with Himself. Being endowed with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, had the capacity to have insight into the mysteries of the Scriptures. That same Spirit who empowered Paul and raised Jesus from the dead also indwells us. How well are we stewarding that awesome power? Do we seek Him for insight and understanding on behalf of others in the body of Christ or are we stuck in the zone of praying for comfort and safety and the occasional parking spot? Come on people, talk about wireless technology, we have a direct line to the throne room of God and we find it hard to make the call. What's up with that? I submit that it is the spirit of the age, apathy, lethargy and distraction, that keeps us believers ineffective, and on the sidelines. The parable of the talents is the definitive depiction of how we are to be shrewd, industrious and effective with the gifts God has given us, and the rewards that await us when we are impactful with them. Chief among the various gifts is the Holy Spirit. So in the spiritual realm if you are the janitor in a Fortune 500 company and you are the only believer on site you are God's man on the scene with the authority of heaven and the guidance of His Spirit to do His will. Walk in that calling, seek Him for the wisdom that is from on high, remember His modus operendi is to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. So make it happen.
APPLICATION
I will seek to be bold today and be sensitive to His Spirit and accomplish great things.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Ephesians 3:3
3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.
One of the ways our relationship with God is made manifest is to come to Him with a question or an issue that is important to us to understand or when we need wisdom or discretion in a matter. As we seek Him in prayer and as we search the Scriptures for insight the Holy Spirit will lead us into truth. This is one of the most effective manners which we can relate to Him. He seeks worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and truth.
God is always teaching, problem is we are not always learning. It is very important to get our hearts into the condition that we are open to learn or to be taught. By seeking Him on a matter we fulfill the following...
APPLICATION
Bring glory to the King and seek Him for His wisdom with a heart that is willing to learn.
One of the ways our relationship with God is made manifest is to come to Him with a question or an issue that is important to us to understand or when we need wisdom or discretion in a matter. As we seek Him in prayer and as we search the Scriptures for insight the Holy Spirit will lead us into truth. This is one of the most effective manners which we can relate to Him. He seeks worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and truth.
God is always teaching, problem is we are not always learning. It is very important to get our hearts into the condition that we are open to learn or to be taught. By seeking Him on a matter we fulfill the following...
Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
APPLICATION
Bring glory to the King and seek Him for His wisdom with a heart that is willing to learn.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ephesians 3:2 - Recognizing the Handiwork of God
2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.
It is interesting to me to see that Paul who had a deep and continuous burden for the Jewish people was not called to minister to them, but to the Gentiles instead. In God's economy it is not about what we want, it is about what God wants, that matters. It is more advantageous and profitable to get in on what God is already doing.
Seek and you will find the areas where God has been pouring out His grace and building His Kingdom in your midst. Then join Him there, add your gifts and talents to what He is already doing and you will find that you are in the center of His will for your life. For more on this subject there is a workbook called "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby
Here is a link to amazon to get this workbook .
APPLICATION
Lord help me to be sensitive to find your handiwork in my life and to join you there.
It is interesting to me to see that Paul who had a deep and continuous burden for the Jewish people was not called to minister to them, but to the Gentiles instead. In God's economy it is not about what we want, it is about what God wants, that matters. It is more advantageous and profitable to get in on what God is already doing.
Seek and you will find the areas where God has been pouring out His grace and building His Kingdom in your midst. Then join Him there, add your gifts and talents to what He is already doing and you will find that you are in the center of His will for your life. For more on this subject there is a workbook called "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby
APPLICATION
Lord help me to be sensitive to find your handiwork in my life and to join you there.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Ephesians 3:1
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
In the city of Rome there remains still the dungeon room where Paul was held captive as he wrote this letter to the Ephesian church. The Mamartine Prison is carved out of cold stone it is dark, and dank. Yet the heart of Paul is burning brightly as he put pen to paper revealing the mysteries of God. Though it was Roman centurions who physically held him there it is Christ who he is the prisoner of. Chained to a stone post his mobility curtailed, stripped of any creature comfort he is focused on the spiritual message of nurturing and encouraging the church. From this very place a significant portion of the New Testament was recorded. Paul did not let his circumstance diminish his gift or calling. I propose that if he was not in prison he would be out and about visiting these churches and enriching them verbally. Being immobilized, he continues the work with the strength he had left by writing down his sermons. So therefore through the imprisonment of Paul we have this treasure trove of Scripture, because he walked in his calling and gifts no matter what.
APPLICATION
I need to do what I can with what I have and not be deterred by circumstance.
In the city of Rome there remains still the dungeon room where Paul was held captive as he wrote this letter to the Ephesian church. The Mamartine Prison is carved out of cold stone it is dark, and dank. Yet the heart of Paul is burning brightly as he put pen to paper revealing the mysteries of God. Though it was Roman centurions who physically held him there it is Christ who he is the prisoner of. Chained to a stone post his mobility curtailed, stripped of any creature comfort he is focused on the spiritual message of nurturing and encouraging the church. From this very place a significant portion of the New Testament was recorded. Paul did not let his circumstance diminish his gift or calling. I propose that if he was not in prison he would be out and about visiting these churches and enriching them verbally. Being immobilized, he continues the work with the strength he had left by writing down his sermons. So therefore through the imprisonment of Paul we have this treasure trove of Scripture, because he walked in his calling and gifts no matter what.
APPLICATION
I need to do what I can with what I have and not be deterred by circumstance.
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