July 2, 2026

Hey guys, 

This week’s Thought comes from Ephesians 3:7. There Paul says, “By God's grace and mighty power I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading the Good News.”Context in scripture is always so powerfully important. Paul is in prison as he's writing this letter to his friends in the church at Ephesus. I friend of mine taught on this book years ago, and as both a visual and an auditory illustration, he said, "Always remember, he's chained up. So, every time Paul writes across the page, and moves his hand back across the page, his chains are rattling.” 

As Paul writes these fundamental truths for the church, both for those who need to come to know Jesus, and those already walking in faith as Jesus' followers, Paul is writing them while he is in chains. 

Then in verse seven he says, “I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading the good news.” We've all been challenged and commissioned with the job of spreading the good news wherever and however we are (see Matthew 28). BUT, do we consider it a privilege? 

When trials and troubles come because we are sharing, do we consider it a privilege? When we lose out on opportunities because of the stance that we take, do we consider that a privilege?

When we face challenges, trials, and difficulties because of our faith, do we consider it a privilege? 

Paul did, and that's the example he set for us. 

Love you guys,

John