I will be out of the office (at work and at home) from Thursday, February 26 through Monday, March 2. If there is anything you might need while I am away, please have a little chat with God. He has all the answers.

Seriously, I will be gone and posting some older blog pieces, but regardless of where I am or what I’m doing, I know that God is with me and is “able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20) I pray that you know this as well.

Have a great weekend! See you again on Tuesday.

Lessons from Colossians – Part 1

During my daily Bible reading yesterday, I read through the book of Colossians. I use some of the content on occasion, but it had been a while since I read through this short letter from the Apostle Paul to the church at Colossae.

There were a few points that caught my attention, so I will be sharing these with you over the next few days. If you haven’t taken the time to read through this short letter, it’s a great opportunity to do so. It won’t take long…it’s only four chapters. But it certainly is packed with some great information.

Paul begins his letter the usual way. He introduces himself and tells his readers to whom this letter was written. He thanks God for this group of believers as he does in several other letters.

He then encourages the church at Colossae with this verse. “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” (Colossians 1:6 – NIV)

Not only was it an encouragement to this group of believers, but to me as well. Sometimes I get caught up in my “little world,” and I miss the big picture. These few words allow me to see that God’s church and His believers are bigger than I could ever imagine. And it’s not finished yet.

The Gospel is growing and it’s bearing fruit all over the world. My spiritual eyes had been closed to what God was doing around our globe, but in recent months, I’ve come to know fellow Christians in other parts of the world and know for sure that the Gospel is growing and it’s bearing fruit.

Paul then transitions into what he had been praying for the Colossian Christians in Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV). Let’s break this section down to see if we might find some encouragement here as well.

From the moment Paul heard of this group, he started praying. He didn’t know them, but he knew praying for them was important.

Paul prayed that God would fill them with the knowledge of his will through spiritual wisdom and understanding (v. 9).

Paul prayed that their lives would be worthy of the Lord and that God would be pleased (v. 10).

Paul prayed that they would bear fruit in their good work (v. 10).

Paul prayed that they would grow in their knowledge of God (v. 10).

Paul prayed that they would be strengthened with power (v. 11).

Paul prayed that they would find endurance and patience (v. 11).

Paul prayed that they would joyfully give thanks to the Father for what He had done (v. 12).

Paul prayed that they praise God for:

• Their inheritance (v. 12)
• Their rescue (v. 13)
• Their redemption (v. 14)
• Their forgiveness of sin (v. 14)

In five short verses, Paul encouraged this group with his prayers. I believe we can find encouragement from this prayer as well.

Are there one or two points to this prayer that might encourage you today? Perhaps you need strength or patience. Or maybe you need grow in knowledge or bear some fruit. It might be possible that you need to find forgiveness of sin.

Whatever it might be, this prayer from the Apostle Paul just might hold some key phrases for you. You may find something to help you get through this day.

For some of us, Paul’s words may need to become our words as we encourage others to be faithful in their faith walk. If I can pray for you, please let me know. I’d love to be praying for you.

You see, I see this prayer as one that we can use to lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is an encouragement prayer. We all could use a little help now and then.

I might add that your prayers for me would be appreciated. Not for anything in particular, but the busyness of this physical life has a way of interfering with my spiritual life and I must be reminded of the points listed above. The words spoken here by Paul would be most effective.

There is so much more in this short book of Colossians. Tomorrow we’ll pick it up again to see what other treasures Paul wants us to learn. If you’re like me, God will open your eyes to some wonderful truths. I can honestly say, you won’t want to miss it.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna