If prayer means as much to you as it does to me, you understand the feeling that I get when someone tells me they have been praying specifically for me. I especially like hearing what they are praying. Prayer coverage is incredibly important in the work we are doing as God's workmen in this place. We desperately need to be praying for each other and not just assuming that all is well; not taking God's provision for granted. There is a reason the Spirit provokes us to pray.
Imagine the joy felt by the Colossians when they read in Apostle Paul's letter:
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Colossians 4:12)
Oh the joy of hearing that someone is praying for our success; that someone loves us that much to be wrestling in prayer for us. Look at the content of Epahras' prayer: that they may stand firm in God's will; that they would be mature; that they would be fully assured. Epaphras desired the spiritual success for his people and covered them in the greatest possible manner.
Christians too often curse with their tongue instead of bless. It is not that we are worse than anyone else, but we aught to be better. Our mouths are not intended for cursing. What I mean by curse is when we complain about people, tearing them down, belittling their effort, secretly desiring their failure. We have to ask what is wrong with us? What is wrong with our relationship with Jesus? If we are really possessed by the Spirit we should be dying of conviction if we curse instead of bless. If we do it easily enough, without even realizing what we are doing, we need to examine if we are possessed by the Spirit.
Being possessed by the Spirit, we will be provoked beyond out human nature and prompted to pray specific things for people. When this happens, don't keep it to yourself, but tell the person. Tell them specifically what you are praying for so they will be encouraged by your prayers. We need to stop listening to our old nature which no longer has power over us and listen more to the Spirit. We need to stop talking about people and start praying for their success.
Be purposeful in your prayers. Keep a prayer journal. Write down names, dates and specific topics. Pray until the Spirit prompts you to stop. Set aside a time in the day to specifically pray for the people on your list. Be open to be provoked by the Spirit at any time of the day to pray as he prompts you to pray. Be attentive. This is warfare and we are the soldiers. This is God's strategy and we are to follow his directions. Be watchful, thankful and pray.
Showing posts with label Colossians 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colossians 4. Show all posts
Friday, February 1, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
You Are Meant To Be Seen
God has chosen not to hide us away but to use us as a light on a hill. This means everyone can see us; we are always on display. Even when you don't want to be seen, you are seen. Our entire purpose is to be the light bearers so God can glorify himself to the world through us. Aside from Jesus we have no other purpose. You are meant to be seen.
Some people are afraid of this because they have this notion that we have to be perfect; that we cannot allow any imperfection to be seen. If we are sick we don't tell anyone. If we are in financial trouble we keep it to ourselves. We don't want to rob God of his glory by showing our weakness. How foolish we are to think that God doesn't want to use our weaknesses. In fact, Jesus is often able to shine through our weaknesses better than our strengths. Apostle Paul did not hide his struggles.
Surrounded by strong men of faith, Paul would send them out with letters and personal news about himself so others could see what God is doing, and be encouraged:
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. (Colossians 4:7-8)
Now I am not talking about complaining. Words of complaint only prove to destroy people, not encourage them. But neither do we hide our circumstances, so when God takes action others will see and marvel at what an incredible God he is. How will they learn of his compassion unless they see it in action in us? What about his mercy and grace? What about his forgiveness? No we don't hide these things away and try to project perfection because that would be a lie. Instead they need to see our faith in action as we trust Jesus in every aspect and circumstance of our lives.
The light on the hill cannot be hidden. It's purpose is to be seen and to encourage. God does not want you hiding away your circumstances but neither does he want you complaining. Let people see your life and your faith. Let them hear statements of trust and dependence. Let them hear the praises as God responds to your needs. Be as transparent as apostle Paul was and God will be glorified in all things through you. The world needs to know and see the reality of our relationship with Jesus, not just the sterilized plastic version.
Some people are afraid of this because they have this notion that we have to be perfect; that we cannot allow any imperfection to be seen. If we are sick we don't tell anyone. If we are in financial trouble we keep it to ourselves. We don't want to rob God of his glory by showing our weakness. How foolish we are to think that God doesn't want to use our weaknesses. In fact, Jesus is often able to shine through our weaknesses better than our strengths. Apostle Paul did not hide his struggles.
Surrounded by strong men of faith, Paul would send them out with letters and personal news about himself so others could see what God is doing, and be encouraged:
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. (Colossians 4:7-8)
Now I am not talking about complaining. Words of complaint only prove to destroy people, not encourage them. But neither do we hide our circumstances, so when God takes action others will see and marvel at what an incredible God he is. How will they learn of his compassion unless they see it in action in us? What about his mercy and grace? What about his forgiveness? No we don't hide these things away and try to project perfection because that would be a lie. Instead they need to see our faith in action as we trust Jesus in every aspect and circumstance of our lives.
The light on the hill cannot be hidden. It's purpose is to be seen and to encourage. God does not want you hiding away your circumstances but neither does he want you complaining. Let people see your life and your faith. Let them hear statements of trust and dependence. Let them hear the praises as God responds to your needs. Be as transparent as apostle Paul was and God will be glorified in all things through you. The world needs to know and see the reality of our relationship with Jesus, not just the sterilized plastic version.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Full Of Grace And Seasoned With Salt
We all know the power of words, having felt that power many times in our lives. We have had words of love and encouragement spoken into us. There have been words to inspire and ignite; words to build up and cheer us on in some of the worse moments of our lives. There have been words of blessings but there have also been words of cursing. There have been words that have acted as a destructive force, trying to rob us of our joy and peace. There have been words that have robbed us of our dreams and prevented us from moving on to overcome things in our lives. There have been ugly, useless words that have buffeted key moments of our lives. Words are powerful indeed.
Sometimes it is the word itself that has the power and sometimes it is the intent behind the word. Some of the most wonderful words can be spoken into our lives with a maliciousness that steals away any value they contained to bless. It is the latter that I believe Paul was referring to when he wrote:
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)
It is not the "what" that Paul is referring to but the "how". Some people may look at this verse and see the "what" but Jesus told us not to worry about the "what" because when we walk in the Spirit the Spirit will always fill our mouths with the right words to say. It is the manner in which we say it that we must pay attention. It is a conversation full of grace and seasoned with salt that will keep the powerful words of God powerful.
You can yell at someone that you love them until your face turns blue but the yelling is robbing the word of its power. You can tell people that God loves and forgives them but if there is lack of grace in the manner in which you speak there will be no power behind those words. We are a people of grace and, no matter the actions of other people, we must respond as a people of grace. Just as a gentle answer turns away wrath, an answer seasoned with salt opens the heart to receiving the words, the blessings, the encouragement.
I think sometimes parents forget that their teens are in great need of this grace and these words seasoned with salt. Too often we parents allow our emotional attachment to our kids block out our spiritual responsibility to respond and not react. Just because the emotional teen in front of us is yelling at us because of a momentary panic in their lives does not mean we need to have an emotional reaction to them. The words of grace, seasoned with salt must be applied. The moment will pass, we will still have our peace, and our teen is not so emotional any more. You may even discover that the Spirit gives just the right words to speak into their situation.
As followers of Jesus we should see how Jesus responded to people, even those who were trying to trap him. By the Spirit he had the right words to speak but he also responded with much grace. Who were they to question the Son of God? But he lowered himself to their level and spoke with patience, love, kindness and grace. They were confounded and stumped by the simple things with which he responded. You have that same Spirit. Trust God for the words and you concentrate on the attitude. Let's make sure we are not doing anything to rob God's words of their power.
Sometimes it is the word itself that has the power and sometimes it is the intent behind the word. Some of the most wonderful words can be spoken into our lives with a maliciousness that steals away any value they contained to bless. It is the latter that I believe Paul was referring to when he wrote:
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)
It is not the "what" that Paul is referring to but the "how". Some people may look at this verse and see the "what" but Jesus told us not to worry about the "what" because when we walk in the Spirit the Spirit will always fill our mouths with the right words to say. It is the manner in which we say it that we must pay attention. It is a conversation full of grace and seasoned with salt that will keep the powerful words of God powerful.
You can yell at someone that you love them until your face turns blue but the yelling is robbing the word of its power. You can tell people that God loves and forgives them but if there is lack of grace in the manner in which you speak there will be no power behind those words. We are a people of grace and, no matter the actions of other people, we must respond as a people of grace. Just as a gentle answer turns away wrath, an answer seasoned with salt opens the heart to receiving the words, the blessings, the encouragement.
I think sometimes parents forget that their teens are in great need of this grace and these words seasoned with salt. Too often we parents allow our emotional attachment to our kids block out our spiritual responsibility to respond and not react. Just because the emotional teen in front of us is yelling at us because of a momentary panic in their lives does not mean we need to have an emotional reaction to them. The words of grace, seasoned with salt must be applied. The moment will pass, we will still have our peace, and our teen is not so emotional any more. You may even discover that the Spirit gives just the right words to speak into their situation.
As followers of Jesus we should see how Jesus responded to people, even those who were trying to trap him. By the Spirit he had the right words to speak but he also responded with much grace. Who were they to question the Son of God? But he lowered himself to their level and spoke with patience, love, kindness and grace. They were confounded and stumped by the simple things with which he responded. You have that same Spirit. Trust God for the words and you concentrate on the attitude. Let's make sure we are not doing anything to rob God's words of their power.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Do You Need Someone Praying For You?
Imagine being told that someone is fervently praying for you daily. How would that make you feel? Encouraged? Would it give you more strength? Would you be pleased?
Now imagine that someone is praying for more than just a good day for you; more than simply asking God to bless you. Imagine you found out that they were praying boldly for you for something specific and substantial? Would you accept that prayer and the results of what it evokes from God?
Imagine being the Colossians and hearing this:
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Colossians 4:12)
Would that encourage you? If it wouldn't for you it sure would for me. Knowing that someone is praying, for the purpose of me standing firm in all of the will of God, would encourage me to rise up to do exactly that. Instead of praying for God to bless my life their prayers are for my maturity and that I would be fully assured of all the promises of God. Now there is a prayer warrior.
We need to start changing the focus of our prayers, to start praying in the wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit knows what we need better than we do so it is important that we are attentive to his direction and prompting.
We also need consistency in prayer. Jesus told us not to stop until we have received what we are asking for. Of course we are not talking about prayers born out of selfishness but prayers provoked by the Spirit of God in us; prayers directed at the heart of the matter. Not prayers to be polite so that we can say that we prayed but prayers that shake the foundation of the enemies fortress and cause it to crumble.Not prayers that God would hedge people in but that he would strengthen and encourage them for the fight.
It doesn't matter how old you are or if you think you know how to pray or not, you need to pray because there are people who need you to pray. Even if all you start off with is that Jesus would strengthen and encourage them, it is a great place to start. If we saw every Christian, every person who calls on the name of Jesus, begin to pray fervently, believing the promises of Jesus, then we would see some pretty incredible things happening in and through the Church.
Without the Spirit; without prayer, the Church is nothing more than a social gathering for people who want to do good in life but often fail. With prayer and the Spirit we become a force to be reckoned with. Start praying today. If you have no one to pray for then start with me. I need an Epaphras in my life.
Now imagine that someone is praying for more than just a good day for you; more than simply asking God to bless you. Imagine you found out that they were praying boldly for you for something specific and substantial? Would you accept that prayer and the results of what it evokes from God?
Imagine being the Colossians and hearing this:
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. (Colossians 4:12)
Would that encourage you? If it wouldn't for you it sure would for me. Knowing that someone is praying, for the purpose of me standing firm in all of the will of God, would encourage me to rise up to do exactly that. Instead of praying for God to bless my life their prayers are for my maturity and that I would be fully assured of all the promises of God. Now there is a prayer warrior.
We need to start changing the focus of our prayers, to start praying in the wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit knows what we need better than we do so it is important that we are attentive to his direction and prompting.
We also need consistency in prayer. Jesus told us not to stop until we have received what we are asking for. Of course we are not talking about prayers born out of selfishness but prayers provoked by the Spirit of God in us; prayers directed at the heart of the matter. Not prayers to be polite so that we can say that we prayed but prayers that shake the foundation of the enemies fortress and cause it to crumble.Not prayers that God would hedge people in but that he would strengthen and encourage them for the fight.
It doesn't matter how old you are or if you think you know how to pray or not, you need to pray because there are people who need you to pray. Even if all you start off with is that Jesus would strengthen and encourage them, it is a great place to start. If we saw every Christian, every person who calls on the name of Jesus, begin to pray fervently, believing the promises of Jesus, then we would see some pretty incredible things happening in and through the Church.
Without the Spirit; without prayer, the Church is nothing more than a social gathering for people who want to do good in life but often fail. With prayer and the Spirit we become a force to be reckoned with. Start praying today. If you have no one to pray for then start with me. I need an Epaphras in my life.
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