Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
The Mystery of the Gospel – Part 1
Ephesians 3:4-6
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ; Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Paul now comes to a new section of the epistle. In the first three chapters, he dealt with doctrine. In the last three chapters, he will deal with practice. The term “mystery” is one he uses often when he begins to discuss something new that has not been mentioned before. Usually the “mystery” refers to something that has not been revealed in the Old Testament. The “mystery” here is dealing with the fact that the Gentiles will have a place alongside the Jews and will be fellow heirs of the promise.
In the Old Testament, the Jews took the message of salvation through the law of Moses as a treasure alone for themselves. They took that truth and made it a system of works through their “traditions.” Jesus Himself condemned that practice when he spoke to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:3, But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
God’s plan from the beginning was that the nation of Israel would be a light to the world to carry the message of Messiah the Savior to all nations, which were the Gentiles. Israel failed to obey God’s command and, as a result, missed out on the blessing of being the “light to the world.”
Paul here explains what God is now doing to bring the Gentiles to Himself. That was the mystery he was sharing with the church of Ephesus.
God’s plan for us today is to carry His message to everyone who does not know Christ as Messiah and Savior. We are part of God’s plan to reach the world with the gospel.
God’s desire is that all men should come to a saving knowledge of Jesus the Savior. …but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He chose to use us, His children, as His instruments to take His message to all the world. God still wants to see everyone saved, and we have the privilege of being His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Bible Reading for the Year
August 3rd, Psalms 75-77; Romans 6
Prayer Needs
Please be in prayer for Edward Lee. He is in the hospital in Washington and has pneumonia.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. The doctors found that she has Afib which caused low blood pressure. They found she also has pneumonia. As of Friday, her Afib was getting better. She was able to go home on Sunday afternoon.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. They got her infection under control, and she was able to go home Friday afternoon. PTL! She has Keytruda treatment next Thursday.
Please pray for Vickie Dalton. She was in the hospital to have a drainage tube put into her lung. She was able to go home Saturday. Pray for God’s healing.
Please continue to pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She has been moved into the River Trace rehab center in Washington. She is not doing well.
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He had an appointment on Tuesday, July 14th, with his kidney doctor. He had a scan of his kidneys; the scan shows some kidney stones, but treatment isn’t recommended as of yet.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go. Pray for him to get stronger! He had an appointment with his hematologist on the 14th, and he began with the first of 5 shots to improve his red blood cell count on Tuesday the 21st.
Linda Franks’ surgery had to be rescheduled because she has a sinus infection and is on medication for it.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He seems some better, and the pain has decreased some.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia