The Number 3

Lately God has had a thing for numbers with me. I do believe He speaks in number riddles sometimes, but I also believe you can't always hold Him to only speaking that way. The number can change anytime, and it can also become a non-issue.
My number has been 3. There are several instances in my life where this number has popped up, and not by coincidence I assure you. Examples:
1. I have 3 children (no plans for more either)
2. John and I were married on the 3rd
3. The house number of the house we are buying has three 3's in it
4. He has given me dreams that contain 3 of something several times
I could go on, but there's more to this post than just that.
About 3 weeks ago (there's the 3 again), John and I were "challenged." Our Father definitely wants to shower blessings on us, and it's our responsibility to do what He asks of us to usher in those blessings. He challenged us to give more of ourselves to Him by doing just that--following His lead and walking in His footsteps. God also gave us a special passage from Ephesians that I want to share with you. I really hope that it not only encourages and inspires you, but shows just how funny God can be at times. Yes, I believe He has a great sense of humor. After all, aren't we patterned after Him? I will break in at times to reveal the 3's as we go along.
PLEASE READ THIS: IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED!!!

Ephesians 3 (see the 3 again?) The Message Bible

The Mystery Revealed (title of section)
"This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called. I take it that you're familiar with the part I was given in God's plan for including everybody. I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.
As you read over what I have written to you, you'll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God's Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I've been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises *that's 3 things we get!* in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone across the board. This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to all the details.

Purpose of the Mystery (title of section)
It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. *I know I feel that way a lot!* God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all of this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through Christians like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
All this is proceeding along the lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!

Appreciation of the Mystery (title of section)
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength--that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all the Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its strength! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!"

To me, reading this entire chapter of Ephesians gives me such an understanding of where Paul is coming from. He's in jail and STILL reaching out to fellow Christians, not only with instructions from God, but with encouragement as well.
As for the 3's---well, there were 3 sections of Chapter 3. All 3 sections had to do with a mystery. Every time I read this, I get something new out of it. I want the mystery revealed to me! I want everything God has to offer, and it's mine for the taking! It's quite frankly all just a spiritual matter. Amazingly, the Bible doesn't have to be complicated. Take Him at His Word...that's what He wants.
Remember that things aren't a coincidence if they continue to show themselves--like the 3's for example. Not that I am putting God in a box and thinking that he can only work with that number. It just seems to be fitting for the place and time I am in right now. Do you have any special numbers, phrases, words, etc? I'd be interested in knowing! :)