Ephesians 6:20

"For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do." Ephesians 6:20

Referring to his prayer request in the last verse, for boldness to share the Gospel... Paul says here, "for which he is an envoy"... a special messenger of... and he also points out here, "one, whom is being held prisoner for doing just what he has asked the church to pray for - bold and courageous". Do you see anything strange about this? We know Paul was an educated man and practically speaking, it makes no sense to pray for something that keeps getting you in trouble. So why would he do this. I ask this question because of my own experience with the things of God. Those of us that have been Christians a while know that often we are lead by the Holy Spirit to ask for things that don't always make sense.

We know that Paul is under house arrest as he is writing this (Acts 28:30) and could easily "proclaim" his way right back into harsher imprisonment "again", yet, he is lead to pray for courage to continue in this same boldness. Well, the opposite of what any rational mind would suspect to happen actually happens. Paul is released as a prisoner again and continues spreading the Gospel.

Paul TRUSTED IN AND RELIED UPON the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is what the word we know today as BELIEVE, really means... "trusting in, and relying upon". You see, dear friends... many people believe there is a god and therefore believe, subsequently that they will enter into heaven. They do not go to church or study the bible... in fact, they have pieced together their own idea of what God is like. Satan believes in God... yet, he is not heaven bound. NO, we must stress to our loved ones that to say we believe in God means to Trust in what He says... and further, that we live each day Relying upon Him in ALL things.

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 6:21 next time.

I love you.