Colossians 1:9-11 For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,[a] 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Our Pastor Ben gave a powerful message yesterday from the book of Revelation, the title to the sermon was "Surviving and Thriving". In the midst of trials our goal may simply be to survive, to get through it and live for another day. God has more for us. His desire for us is to thrive, spilling out into joy.
Yesterday we considered some of that the "fear of the Lord " is, respect, reverence and trust to name a few. This fear of the Lord is a key component in surviving and thriving. Normally, I try to limit these posts to one or two verses but, as with many of Paul's writings, it is hard to break them up. It starts with a prayer for the church and it is a prayer for us. I like the way The Message paraphrase puts it "we pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out". That is my prayer for you today if you are going through a trial or fiery ordeal.
Paul prayed that the people would be filled with the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of Christ, but not just for our own sake, but that we may walk, live our lives worthy of His call, fully pleasing Him and bearing fruit. It is not just "gritting your teeth" through your own will power, it is leaning on Him, trusting Him, seeking Him all the while, in prayer and in His Word, often times those prayers may be the groanings of our hearts when we come to Him with our prayers even when we are at a loss for words. He knows our heart, He knows what we need and He will provide the strength to endure.
Read the passage from The Message below. May you be strengthened as you go out today "as you work hard in His orchard" He'll see to it that His Word and power working in you will bear fruit, not just surviving but thriving.
Blessings,
Mike
Colossians 1:10-12The Message (MSG) We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
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