The Power of Chains

Friday, January 1, 2021

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission...

The apostle Paul found himself in prison for his faith and ministry. He wrote this:
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Messiah; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident because of my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Philippians 1:12-14
Here was Paul in a Roman prison, literally bound by chains and yet, he appears to boast of them. Not only do his chains not hinder the gospel, they have advanced them. The point that Paul is making is that nothing can stop the purposes of God - not even chains - in fact, they will actually be used to bring all these things to their fruition. Bound by chains and prison walls, Paul couldn't preach to the tens or hundreds that he preached to in the marketplaces and squares and synagogues. Instead, he committed his word to parchment and would reach millions, even billions of souls - even us, to this day. It was prison walls and chains that unleashed the gospel and unchained the Word of God to reach the world and every age.
That's how Paul dealt with everything. His life was filled with obstacles, hindrances, problems, and adversities, he didn't complain about them, he didn't confess them away, and he never blamed them for preventing things. He always looked for and found a way to fulfill the calling he had been given.
If we look at our present circumstances, it is easy to feel hindered, bound, prevented, limited, unable to do what we need to do, unable to advance God's purposes, unable to fulfill our calling. All the more we must take and apply Paul's secret and strategy. No circumstance, problem, adversity, or hindrance can stop you from fulfilling the calling of God. They are nothing more than chains. Don't bemoan your chains, your situation, your obstacles - use them all for the glory of God. If a door closes, another will open. If the other door closes, He'll open a window. Don't ever stop. Find the way, glorify God, fulfill your calling - and use the chains to bring forth the unstoppable purposes of God. And may God greatly bless you this month as you do!

Your brother and co-laborer
in His love and service,

Jonathan

See Message: Ambassador in Chains