Carry on…in trust
Humility and Boldness
No one can stand against the
evidence of a changed life. A person’s living testimony of God’s deliverance
and transformation cannot be dismissed. This is why our “But God” stories are
so important. It’s His light shining within us that draws others to him.
Pray that God would give you
boldness to proclaim His Word.
Read Ephesians 3:1-13
After describing his role as
a steward of God’s grace, Paul emphasizes how unworthy he is of that calling
claim to be the “least of all the saints” (3:8).
Elsewhere he calls himself “the
least of the apostles, not worthy to be called and apostle” (1 Cor 15:9) and
the foremost sinner (1 Tim 1:15). Why would Paul emphasize his unworthiness? What
does God’s work through someone like Paul communicate about Christ’s redeeming
power (compare 1 Cor 15:10)? Have you ever felt like God could use you to accomplish
His purposes? Some of the most unlikely characters in the Bible were used in
God’s plan (Exodus 4; Joshua 2; Ruth 1-4). Identify other verses or stories that
affirm that God can use anyone.
Diving Deeper
If Paul considered himself the least of the saints and the foremost sinner, where did he get boldness to preach the gospel (see Eph 3:12; compare 2 Cor 3:4-6)? In light of his humility, what does Paul’s courage teach you?
Make a list of how you can
be bolder in sharing your faith. Later in Ephesians, Paul asks for prayer that
he would have boldness to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (see 6:9).
Do you pray for courage to
proclaim God’s Word?
When you pray, how do you
feel when you’re approaching God? Confident? Timid? Bold? Afraid?
Spend time in prayer asking
God for both the heart and the confidence to speak to Him and His saving work.
Write it out – Ephesians
3:1-13
With each word or Ephesians 3:1-6 you write, pray for our
brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing persecution for
their faith this very hour. Pray for God’s steadfast peace to comfort them in
ways that are beyond our understanding.
While writing Ephesians 3:7-13, ask God to grow your
belief in Him, and to increase your trust that He is good in every season.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for not
letting go of me in those moments when I’ve been tempted to let go of You. I don’t
want to let any valley-low circumstance sway me from a rock-solid devotion to
You. For You are god. And I want my trust in You to grown even more. Amen.
May God give you the
Spirit of wisdom & revelation so that you may know Him better. Have an
awesome day in the Lord!! Ephesians 1:17
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Denise J. Hughes, “Word Writes:
Ephesians”
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