Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 1-6-21

Ephesians 3:1-2, 6, 7-8 TPT

In his letter to the church at Ephesus (and believers everywhere for all time), the Apostle Paul reminds his readers no matter what goes on in this world, God is directing his eternal purposes and plan for redemption. God has not lost control over anything; yet, redemption rests on a matter of divine timing and revelation.

The Divine Mystery
3 Beloved friends, because of my love for Jesus Christ, I am now his prisoner for the sake of all of you who are not Jews, 2 so that you will hear the gospel that God has entrusted to me to share with you.

6 Here’s the secret: The gospel of grace has made you, non-Jewish believers, into coheirs of his promise through your union with him. And you have now become members of his body—one with the Anointed One!

7–8 I have been made a messenger of this wonderful news by the gift of grace that works through me. Even though I am the least significant of all his holy believers, this grace-gift was imparted when the manifestation of his power came upon me. Grace alone empowers me so that I can boldly preach this wonderful message to non-Jewish people, sharing with them the unfading,[unquestionable] inexhaustible riches of Christ, which are beyond comprehension.

The great mystery is God’s plan to design a new creation in Messiah—Jews, Gentiles, males, and females all equal in the body of Christ committed to live for the glory of God. As believers in the recreative work of Messiah, we have a new purpose, new appetites, new motives, and new priorities with how we live our lives. Father God sees us all in Christ and he will give every son or daughter opportunities to share the revelation of Christ with others. We must not be overwhelmed by that thought, because he will also give us the ability, courage, and power to accomplish what he sends us to say and do.

Prayer: Father, thank you for equipping me with grace for every door of opportunity you open for me to share the gospel. I desire to experience the transformation you have made available to me in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.