Don’t let your circumstances dictate you! - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Whittens write:

For over 10 years we’ve been covering Christian Persecution, and whenever I come across an amazing story of how a saint endured such hardships, it encourages me. I remember reading about Watchman Nee and his imprisonment. The Chinese government would change the guards at his cell daily for fear that Nee would lead them to Yah'shua. Their fears were justified---many of those guards did come to faith! Apparently Watchman Nee had learned a powerful lesson from the Apostle Paul.

In Paul's letter to the Assembly in Ephesus, observe how he describes himself – an ambassador in chains. Locked away in a prison, Paul adamantly refuses to allow his circumstances to dictate or alter his identity. He may be in chains, but he remains Yah'shua's ambassador.

Can you imagine Paul chained up in that dungeon, throwing up his hands saying, "That's it; it's over; I'm finished!?"

Not on your life! Instead the apostle grows bolder as an ambassador; not intimidated or ashamed, because Paul isn't chained in his spirit, he's only bound in the flesh. Remember how he concludes his letter to the Philippian Assembly declaring, "I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me."

Don’t allow yourself to be defined by your past, or "chained" by your current circumstances. Yahweh has also called you to be an ambassador for Him. With so much work to be done, we ought to be growing even bolder, right in the midst of our trials and tribulations!

Reply by DR on July 13, 2009 at 7:27am

You have no clue how encouraging this is to me Christopher. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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