Getting Unstuck
Today’s Verse:
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ~Ephesians 3:1-2
Have you ever been stuck in really bad traffic? This can be very frustrating and draining on your energy. Have you ever been stuck in a problem that made you feel bound and shackled, with little certainty of getting out? Paul was in prison, bound to two Roman soldiers. He refers to himself as a prisoner, but goes beyond this by saying that he was a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. He belonged to Jesus, and Jesus belonged to him. Paul encourages us that our relationship to God is the key to getting unstuck from circumstances that weigh us down.
We see the God Who is paternal.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” God is the Heavenly Father of every person who has called on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. He is the Father Who is all-knowing. He knows everything about us and is always one step ahead of us. He is the Father of lights, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is not flaky and wavering as we might be. He is a Father Who is approachable. We can come to His throne of grace to receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
We see the God Who is passionate.
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” God is love! Love is an emanation of His holiness. We are most like God when we love like God. God’s love was perfectly demonstrated when He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for our sins. It was the ultimate sacrifice in giving His all. It was unconditional. God’s love is everlasting. Time and trends do not change God’s love. God’s love is personal. Deep in our hearts, we know that God loves us. He loves us in the big matters, but He loves us also in the little matters. He loves us when we are lonely, and He loves us through people He sends into our life. He loves us to the very end, and never leaves us nor forsakes us. Oh, what love!
We see the God Who is powerful.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” What an incredible description of how powerful God is! He is able! He is able to answer prayer! He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him against that day. He is able to preserve us through the fiery furnace. He is able to help us cross our Jordan River. He is able to open doors that are closed. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto Him through Christ. But there is more! He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! He does more than what we ask. He does more than what we strategize. He does more than what we can envision. He does more than what we can ask or think. God is all-powerful!
These three characteristics helped Paul “get unstuck.” Yes, he was bound, but, yet, he was free. He was a prisoner, but, yet, God was using him to establish a writing ministry that influenced and helped a larger audience of people. In his predicament, Paul saw more answers to prayer, developed more leaders, comforted more Christians, and advanced the gospel because of what he realized about God.
Don’t allow your circumstances to make you feel like you are stuck. Remember Who God is and what He is doing!
Have an inspired God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Samuel 8-12