Since I was a small child, I prayed to God. I loved being in church. I think I have been in more churches than most people. I love them. I can feel God when I am in church and when the music begins it's like the Holy Spirit is surrounding me. Odd, I know, but there's something to a community of believers, uniting together and worshipping our Lord. Prayer and worship, I wonder what it looked like in Paul's day. Did churches look like they do today or did neigbors get together at a house and worship the Lord? Paul was the designer of the church. He prayed for many churches and was their mentor even in prison. He wrote to them to give them encouragement and I believe those believers encouraged him back. As I was praying for many things last night, I got my trusty iPhone out last night and got on my Bible application and read. I stumbled upon the following passage and I pray that it ministers to you as much as it did to me.
We are living in the end times. Does that mean tomorrow is the end of the earth? I don't know because God said, "No man would know the time or hour." I don't worry about such things because when God is ready, it will happen. Just like Paul, God waited and chose to open his eyes, just at the right time. He chose the right man for the right job and out of His choice came church organizations today. He also knew that Paul would minister to others and that His words would be our guide today. There are no coincidences in life. There is just a plan and fortunately for us, we aren't steering the boat.
While reading this Scripture, starting in Ephesians 3:14, you will be reading the prayer Paul wrote for the Ephesians. Take the words to heart, they aren't just meant for people thousands of years ago, they are meant for us now. Like Paul, we stumble, we fall and we suffer. It's what we do with the lessons of life that count and even though Paul was in prison, he loved people and prayed for them. We are called to unite and I think we are called to unite all over the world. We have a stake on this earth and we need to quit being apathetic and love people. Unite with me today as God's chosen women and hear Paul's prayer to Christ. It's amazing. As always, have a wonderful day my sisters!
Ephesians 3: 1-21 NKJV:
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I have become a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given to me through the power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him we many approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A prayer of the Ephesians:
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen You with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!
O, Lord, the words of Paul are enough today. The ladies, throughout the world, ask You to fill our hearts with this prayer. We come together, not knowing each others names or languages but we unite for one common theme, Jesus Christ. We ask that our hearts would be filled with a revelation through the Holy Spirit and as You call us, we would come. One by one, You call and I pray today that we hear that call. Continue, O, God, to lay on our hearts those people You love. Send us out and help us encourage the lost, lift up the destitute and provide food to the hungry. Your love is deep, O, Lord and we ask that You would help us abide in it. You are the Father of our hearts, to You be the glory forever! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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