God's Promises through the Apostle Paul

When I first started reading the Bible, I didn't much like the apostle Paul. I thought that he was pompous and overbearing. He didn't seem to respect marriage. He talked with boldness and authority and He thought that he could tell everyone what they were suppose to do. But as God continues to grow me in my faith, He has been removing the veil from my eyes and is revealing much truth and Grace through this man. Paul was what the Bible calls a "Pharisee". He knew all the rules and regulations. He could tell them to you and would kill you if you didn't follow them to the letter. Until his encounter with Jesus, Paul didn't have the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He didn't have a relationship with the one who made the rules and therefore, he did not understand that the rules were not really rules but truths that were given in love by a God who loves us so much and has given us all we will ever need to live the life we were created to live. We were created to live life in relationship with Him and his people. Created to love and be loved. Created to receive God's blessings and to bless others. It is a life that is not dictated by legalism and religious piety. It is a new life that Jesus died and rose again to bring us. A life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's prayers were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are our strength and power and motivation to live this new life. They afffirm who we are in Christ. They are filled with much wisdom and hope. Words that edify our souls and bring truth to the gospel. The truth is that God loves you and he wants a relationship with you. He wants to entwine your spirit with his Holy Spirit that you might live and live abundantly. He sacrificed his Son on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He has chosen us. We are sons and daughters of the king! He sent his Son to die that we might have life. We are forgiven and righteous in his sight - justified by his grace. Praise God! We are dead to sin and alive to Christ. We are controlled by the Spirit of God because he lives in us. We have hope and a future! These are truths and promises spoken from God through the apostle Paul. It's time to claim what Jesus died to give us. Take time to read the epistles. God will bless you and strengthen you to walk this most awesome journey.
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparabley great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19)