God of all people, as we await more cold weather, bless and protect the needs of this dear reader as well as use us to help those who have no protection from the elements; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text is chapter 3 of Ephesians: 1 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Everyone loves a mystery and many will not be solved or known until the end of time. As we read mystery novels, the whodunnit usually gets solved at the very end. Paul, while a prisoner in Rome, writes to share the unveiling of what he considered to be the mystery of his understanding, and keep in mind that a mystery was not always something to be solved rather something that is made known that wasn't known before. The mystery is found in verse 6: "the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." The blessing of nonJews was mentioned in the Old Testament, but to find out that Gentiles are now co-heirs in the promise of Jesus Christ is what was not known and for Paul that was great news. Spiritually speaking, there's enough in the bank to cover the check most of us need to write in terms of how we live our lives. And that's good news!
How do we live our lives? Are we living as one who is wealthy in the Lord blessed beyond our wildest dreams knowing that the promise and power of Jesus is ours? Or are we skiddish about the fullness of life because we think we don't have enough? Hear the good news: We have more than enough in Christ Jesus to live life to the fullest. And this coming from a man imprisoned for his faith with full knowledge that his death was not far off, yet he knew of the joy of living here and looking forward to the life there with and in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me for living like I don't have enough. In YOU and in Jesus I have more than enough. I am Your child and Your heir in the riches that You provide for me. Let me be made strong in that knowledge so that my life might bless You and Yours. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
------Prayer Needs: Please remember that this morning Caleb Eradio Garcia, our grandson, goes to the doctor to see if he's improving with his RSV. If he is, he goes home, if not, he has to be hospitalized. Also, prayers for Howard Burttschel's surgery this morning in Austin. Please pray for John Topp who travels to Houston for an important appointment at MD Anderson tomorrow. And prayers for Rev. Devlon Goodman and his congregation whose church suffered extensive damage to an early morning fire this past week in Mercedes, Texas. My associates and I toured the facility and were saddened at all they lost. We praise God no one was near the fire; they did have a team of workers from the North sleeping in another part of the church but they were all fine. Pray that the Lord help them in their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
