1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:12,710 Speaker 1: Life Audio Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, 2 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:18,410 Speaker 1: a calming, scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end 3 00:00:18,570 --> 00:00:21,590 Speaker 1: each day with God's Word in your mind and on 4 00:00:21,630 --> 00:00:26,980 Speaker 1: your heart. Right after this short word from our sponsors, 5 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:42,279 Speaker 1: we'll reflect on tonight's scripture, Ephesians 3, Tonight's scripture reflection 6 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: is written by Amanda Eidelman and read by Leah Gerard. 7 00:00:47,060 --> 00:00:53,930 Speaker 1: Ephesians 3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of 8 00:00:53,990 --> 00:00:57,630 Speaker 1: Christ Jesus, for the sake of you Gentiles, surely you 9 00:00:57,670 --> 00:01:01,150 Speaker 1: have heard about the administration of God's grace that was 10 00:01:01,230 --> 00:01:04,470 Speaker 1: given to me for you, that is, the mystery made 11 00:01:04,569 --> 00:01:08,179 Speaker 1: known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 12 00:01:09,700 --> 00:01:12,940 Speaker 1: In reading this, then, you will be able to understand 13 00:01:12,980 --> 00:01:17,500 Speaker 1: my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not 14 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,620 Speaker 1: made known to people in other generations, as it has 15 00:01:20,740 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 1: now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles 16 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:30,119 Speaker 1: and prophets. This mystery is that, through the gospel, the 17 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:34,860 Speaker 1: Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, 18 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:41,070 Speaker 1: and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I 19 00:01:41,130 --> 00:01:43,810 Speaker 1: became a servant of this gospel by the gift of 20 00:01:43,890 --> 00:01:46,490 Speaker 1: God's grace given me through the working of his power. 21 00:01:47,770 --> 00:01:50,630 Speaker 1: Although I am less than the least of all the 22 00:01:50,690 --> 00:01:54,950 Speaker 1: Lord's people, this grace was given me to preach to 23 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,620 Speaker 1: the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ and to make 24 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for 25 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:06,460 Speaker 1: ages past was kept hidden in God who created all things. 26 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:12,170 Speaker 1: His intent was that now, Through the Church, the manifold 27 00:02:12,230 --> 00:02:14,750 Speaker 1: wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers 28 00:02:14,810 --> 00:02:18,790 Speaker 1: and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal 29 00:02:18,850 --> 00:02:24,150 Speaker 1: purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him, 30 00:02:24,590 --> 00:02:27,519 Speaker 1: and through faith in Him, we may approach God with 31 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:32,579 Speaker 1: freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be 32 00:02:32,620 --> 00:02:36,500 Speaker 1: discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 33 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:40,970 Speaker 1: For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom 34 00:02:41,230 --> 00:02:44,450 Speaker 1: every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 35 00:02:45,850 --> 00:02:48,750 Speaker 1: I pray that out of His glorious riches He may 36 00:02:48,889 --> 00:02:52,230 Speaker 1: strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner 37 00:02:52,270 --> 00:02:55,430 Speaker 1: being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 38 00:02:56,930 --> 00:03:01,010 Speaker 1: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 39 00:03:01,050 --> 00:03:04,410 Speaker 1: may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, 40 00:03:04,910 --> 00:03:08,750 Speaker 1: to grasp how wide and long and high and deep 41 00:03:09,330 --> 00:03:12,650 Speaker 1: is the love of Christ. And to know this love 42 00:03:12,950 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the 43 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:20,860 Speaker 1: measure of all the fullness of God. Now, to him 44 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 1: who is able to do immeasurably more than all we 45 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,190 Speaker 1: ask or imagine, according to the power that is at 46 00:03:28,270 --> 00:03:31,709 Speaker 1: work within us, to him be glory in the church 47 00:03:32,330 --> 00:03:38,070 Speaker 1: and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 48 00:03:42,590 --> 00:03:45,470 Speaker 1: What is your first response when you start feeling weary 49 00:03:45,570 --> 00:03:49,870 Speaker 1: in your circumstances? Maybe you reach for some chocolate, grab 50 00:03:49,890 --> 00:03:53,470 Speaker 1: a glass of wine, curl up for a movie marathon, 51 00:03:53,510 --> 00:03:57,310 Speaker 1: or just have a good cry. All of those things 52 00:03:57,410 --> 00:04:01,250 Speaker 1: are helpful and sometimes a necessary part of resting and 53 00:04:01,310 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: processing and recovering. But those things alone won't supply your 54 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: soul with the strength that it needs to endure. Weariness 55 00:04:11,380 --> 00:04:15,060 Speaker 1: requires patience. supernatural intervention for us to stand up with 56 00:04:15,140 --> 00:04:18,299 Speaker 1: strength when by every other measure we should be crumbling 57 00:04:18,339 --> 00:04:23,320 Speaker 1: under the weight of our circumstances. Paul, the writer of Ephesians, 58 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 1: offers us some instruction and encouragement for our weary hearts. 59 00:04:27,860 --> 00:04:31,500 Speaker 1: When he writes these words, he is imprisoned in Rome 60 00:04:31,870 --> 00:04:34,549 Speaker 1: because of his mission, which was to preach the gospel. 61 00:04:35,890 --> 00:04:40,310 Speaker 1: He understood weariness, but still found a way to offer 62 00:04:40,370 --> 00:04:45,739 Speaker 1: words of encouragement to the emerging church. First, Paul reminds 63 00:04:45,779 --> 00:04:48,400 Speaker 1: himself and his readers of the grace he received when 64 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: he met Jesus. Paul realizes that every present suffering is 65 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,820 Speaker 1: temporary and worthwhile if it leads us closer to Jesus. 66 00:04:59,110 --> 00:05:02,890 Speaker 1: This perspective protected his heart from bitterness and resentment when 67 00:05:02,930 --> 00:05:07,909 Speaker 1: life grew hard and the mission God gave him became dangerous. Sometimes, 68 00:05:08,589 --> 00:05:11,980 Speaker 1: Forcing ourselves to give thanks for our salvation is the 69 00:05:12,100 --> 00:05:15,099 Speaker 1: first step we need to take to find encouragement in 70 00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: our circumstances. Next, Paul says he kneels before the Father 71 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:27,070 Speaker 1: in prayer. Prayer is so powerful. It changes things. Most importantly, 72 00:05:27,390 --> 00:05:32,910 Speaker 1: prayer changes our hearts. In our darkest moments, prayer reminds 73 00:05:32,990 --> 00:05:36,150 Speaker 1: us that we're not alone, that God loves us, and 74 00:05:36,210 --> 00:05:41,210 Speaker 1: is walking with us through life's valleys. God responds to 75 00:05:41,270 --> 00:05:43,970 Speaker 1: our faith, and our faith is activated when we come 76 00:05:44,010 --> 00:05:49,220 Speaker 1: before the Father in prayer. Finally, Paul boldly declares that 77 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:53,180 Speaker 1: God is able. He says God is able to do 78 00:05:53,260 --> 00:05:57,620 Speaker 1: immeasurably more than we could think, ask, or even imagine. 79 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,580 Speaker 1: His declaration stirs up his faith and the faith of 80 00:06:01,620 --> 00:06:06,300 Speaker 1: his readers. Even though circumstances may look bleak, we must 81 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: always remember that God is able. His power is at 82 00:06:12,020 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 1: work in us. Our strength for our weary moments is 83 00:06:16,490 --> 00:06:20,010 Speaker 1: found in the Lord. He is able and will carry 84 00:06:20,110 --> 00:06:24,529 Speaker 1: us through when we surrender our stories to Him for 85 00:06:24,589 --> 00:06:31,830 Speaker 1: His glory. Father, I offer you my weary heart. I 86 00:06:31,910 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: am tired and weak, but I am reminded that that 87 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,620 Speaker 1: you are able. I give thanks for the gift of 88 00:06:38,660 --> 00:06:42,820 Speaker 1: your salvation, for your presence that never leaves me. No 89 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:46,430 Speaker 1: matter how difficult my circumstances feel, I can still give 90 00:06:46,500 --> 00:06:50,690 Speaker 1: thanks for you. I bring you my circumstances. I ask 91 00:06:50,750 --> 00:06:54,010 Speaker 1: that you provide me with the wisdom I need to 92 00:06:54,050 --> 00:06:57,930 Speaker 1: move forward. Please renew my strength and return to me 93 00:06:57,990 --> 00:07:02,250 Speaker 1: the joy of my salvation. Do what only you can do. 94 00:07:02,430 --> 00:07:07,690 Speaker 1: I know you are able. change my heart, bring breakthrough, 95 00:07:08,230 --> 00:07:10,850 Speaker 1: and help me to cling to hope in this moment 96 00:07:10,990 --> 00:07:17,550 Speaker 1: of exhaustion. Amen. How did tonight's scripture speak to you? 97 00:07:18,110 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussion. 98 00:07:30,420 --> 00:07:34,990 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 99 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:39,070 Speaker 2: is was read from the New International Version by Biblica. 100 00:07:40,060 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 2: All rights reserved. Be sure to follow our sister show, 101 00:07:45,940 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 2: Your Daily Bible Verse, on Apple or Spotify. By following 102 00:07:51,140 --> 00:07:55,740 Speaker 2: Your Daily Bible Verse and Your Nightly Scripture, you can 103 00:07:55,780 --> 00:08:00,150 Speaker 2: be sure that your day begins and ends centered on 104 00:08:00,170 --> 00:08:00,910 Speaker 2: the Word of God. 105 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:15,810 Speaker 1: Thank you.