SEPTEMBER 19, Ephesians 3:1,2,13

Paul explained to the Ephesian church not to lose heart. He was not thinking about himself but caring for his fellow believers. He was praying that the Ephesian Christians might not be disheartened by what he (who was once their pastor) was going through. His imprisonment could badly affect others.Their leader was locked up. What could happen to them? They might also be dragged into the jail. He never paused to think about his suffering but was worried the effect that his imprisonment might have on others. He was more concerned with others. In such a situation, he thought of others instead of himself.

Consider this word JOY.

J stands for 'Jesus first';

O stands for ‘others second’;

Y stands for ‘your needs comes last’;

When we can put Jesus and others above us, we will be happy. This is the secret to having the joy in the Lord. The apostle told his readers that his time in prison was their glory. He was not locked in the prison because he had done a shameful thing. He was suffering because he had simply preached the gospel to the Gentiles. In history of Christendom, at times the rulers had prohibited the preaching of gospel. Those caught disobeying would be severely punished. Paul was there for a worthwhile cause and the Ephesians should be proud of this fact. They should be speaking positively about it and not be ashamed of Paul. Paul was suffering because he taught the Gentiles who received the Lord Jesus Christ were as much God’s people as any Jewish believer. His teaching was offensive to the Jews. Whatever the cost, his only concern was to bring blessings to others.

Thought: May I learn to care more for others!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the life of Paul. Help me be like him to give myself to serve God and others. Help me to think of other people’s needs before mine. I pray I may learn to do this first in my family so that my parents, siblings, and relatives will see that I am a new person because I am controlled by Jesus, and that I now care more for others! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.