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Focus:

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/EPH.3.1-13

Ephesians 3:1-13

'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. '

 

Upward: Approach Boldly (V. 12)

An elevated sense of our own righteousness is a hindrance to true communion with God. It is Christ who made this communion possible; we are simply the recipients of the promised riches and blessings. Since we didn't earn this access, we should gratefully accept and then embrace it.

Whether you feel it or not, you have full access to the Father's presence. Start today's prayer time by thanking Jesus for this access, and then ask the Holy Spirit how you can fully enjoy your time with the Father.

 

Inward: Don't Lose Heart (V. 13)

Discouragement and dismay constantly attack, often creating a sense of billowing pressure that constricts our faith. Paul reminds the Ephesians that there is purpose in the trial.

He elaborates on this in Romans 5:3-5: trials produce endurance; endurance, strength of character; character, confident hope; and hope, love. There is purpose to the pain. Whatever pain you're experiencing, name it to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to use it to refine you.

Consider praying like this: Jesus, this is what I'm facing (insert trial/problem). Holy Spirit, use this to build my endurance, grow my character, help me rest in Your confident hope, and experience a deeper sense of Your love. Amen.

 

Outward: Display Purpose (V. 10)

Empowered by the confidence to enter His presence and the reality of the hope we find in the midst of trials, we are now equipped to take what we've received and give it to others.

Each of us possesses pieces of rich variety that display His good purpose of redemption. If you are unaware of what you specifically possess, ask the Holy Spirit what it is and listen. If you already have some awareness, ask Him to reveal ideas of how your gifts can be used with the people you encounter today.