ible Study - All In (7) - Committed to HIS Mission - Romans 10:9-17 - November 29, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (7) – Committed to HIS Mission – November 29, 2020

This is our final lesson in this series of study entitled, “All In – A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 10:9-17.

GOD desires for all people to hear and respond to the gospel.

Notice, salvation is a two-step process (1) to hear and (2) to respond to the gospel. To hear, does that mean a person has to hear with his or her ears? No! Not necessarily. A person needs to hear in his or her heart/the eyes of his or her heart where truth resides.

What is GOD’S mission? What is our mission? The key is, do our lives, as Spirit-born Christians, reflect GOD’S mission?

What is the great commission as instructed by JESUS before HE returned to Heaven? It is found in Mark 16:15:

¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

The mission is to go. As Spirit-born Christians, we have the light. We are the salt. We are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, WHO empowers and enlightens us to carry our GOD’S mission. Does this mean we have to go to some foreign land? It might but not necessarily. All of us travel in various parts of the world from our own household to our neighbor next door, in our neighborhood, city, state or wherever we find ourselves. Those places are our world. 

Opportunity surrounds us every day, ask our LORD to open your eyes to see it and respond. Even a cup of cold water is part of HIS mission to those thirsty for the living water which only comes from a Spirit-born relationship with JESUS. 

This is the message of hope for those who are lost in sin and for those who once knew JESUS as their personal Savior but have fallen back into sin. Satan wants a Spirit-born Christian who has, as back in the day, backslid, think he or she is no longer worthy of restoration. But that is a lie. 

GOD never leaves or forsakes HIS Spirit-born Children. 

GOD is right where you left HIM, repent and return. 

Remember the parable of the prodigal son? JESUS waits with great anticipation for your return. Take your first step toward home, now! JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you. If you have never received JESUS, do it now or if you have received JESUS as your Savior but have not been living for HIM, confess it and return, now. Take that first step, JESUS waits and watches just for you. WOW! I can hear the rejoicing that is taking place in Heaven just for you. My prayers go for you as you return home.

Read the parable of the prodigal son as recorded in Luke 15: 11-32:

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ He also said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets^[d] to them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^[e] 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from^[f] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses,^[g] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!^[h] 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. ¹⁹ I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So, they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ²⁷ ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’^[i]

²⁸ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So, his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets^[j] with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

³¹ “‘Son,’^[k] he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Think about it, you are special because GOD does not make junk. You make yourself a junkie.

What is the gospel? It means “Good News.” We are all physical and as such, we will all die physically. There is nothing we can do to prolong our physical lives upon earth. This is why GOD sent HIS only earth born SON as 100% human. As such, he (JESUS) was subject to sin and physical death, yet 100% Divine. JESUS is the only human to live a sinless life, therefore, all humans have hope in JESUS. Why? JESUS lived a sinless life, gave HIS sinless life upon the cross by the shedding of HIS sinless blood to pay, in full, for all sin, past, present and future. How do we know that? GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead on the third day to show the world that JESUS paid the price for sin and conquered eternal death.

When GOD resurrected JESUS on the third day, HE resurrected JESUS in HIS Glorified body. JESUS’ Glorified body is like the Glorified bodies all Spirit-born Christians will receive in the twinkling of the eye when JESUS returns to earth for the second time. Until then, will we have a body when we exit our earth suit and dwell in Heaven? YES! Scripture reveals that Spirit-born Christians will NOT be found naked. But I digress ----

GOD required a perfect sinless sacrifice to pay for the original sin of mankind, which came through Adam and Eve. The penalty for their original sin was eternal death. GOD provided a provisional place holder which we read in Hebrews 9:22 before JESUS came to earth:

²² According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Since JESUS was the final and perfect sacrifice, all sin has been dealt with by GOD. Every human’s part is to accept what JESUS willingly and freely did for all mankind. But there is one vital component. What do you think that is? Every person must accept JESUS as his or her personal Savior by faith. Let’s examine -----

Let’s read Romans 10:9-10:

⁹ If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 

GOD did not make salvation complicated. So many try to figure salvation out. We want to do it our way but GOD’S way is simple and direct. It is trusting in what GOD’S Word reveals to us. Trust and obey is the only way to be happy in JESUS.

Notice the word “confess.” The word “confess” carries the idea of “to say the same thing” or “to agree.” It also carries the idea, “to agree with established truth.” We are to agree with GOD that we are sinners and in need of salvation from eternal death that only faith in JESUS can resolve. We are to believe not just in our head but in our hearts. We have to move our faith from being head knowledge to our heart or to the very core of our being, where truth resides.

The first Adam blew it and sinned, the second Adam, JESUS, came in the flesh and was sinless. JESUS paid the price for sin, in full, so that all who place their faith in HIM will have eternal life as GOD originally intended. Adam and Eve and their offspring lost their eternal life and inherited eternal death. But JESUS restored eternal life for all who place their faith in HIM as their Savior. No person can be good enough or work hard enough to earn Salvation. Salvation is a gift from GOD for all who believe. John 3:16-17 captures the heart of GOD for all mankind.

Let’s read Romans 10:11-13:

¹¹ For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame,^[g] 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. ¹³ For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.^[h]

During the later part of my working career, the LORD kept showing me this verse. I would think, that it was comforting. Little did I know that a person who did not like me was busy trying to replace me. Why? Was it because I was not doing the job? No! It was because I was doing it well. I was in a position where I had access to leading edge information and would share it in meetings which made others not look so good. I tried to explain that I traveled in different circles. I offered to brief those before a meeting with the latest info I had but that did not work. After the fact, I learned that an effort was out to replace the portion of my duties which some resented. My replacement had been selected and as the process was being finalized, it was discovered that my replacement had falsified their information which terminated the hiring process. I learned this all after the fact. It was then that this verse of scripture became very meaningful. Yes, GOD has your back 24/7. WOW! AWESOME!  

I knew GOD had called me to do what I was doing and so ordered my steps and richly blessed my steps. Do you trust GOD to richly bless you as you serve HIM in what HE has called you to do?

Let’s read Romans 10:14-17:

Israel’s Rejection of the Message

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful^[i] are the feet of those who bring good news.^[j] 16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?^[k] 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.^[l] 

All of mankind seeks truth. Often, we attempt to repackage salvation as a way to get material things. A Spirit-born person can never achieve any greater joy than walking with GOD through faith in JESUS. Spirit-born Christians have the truth and must share the truth with others. And what is that truth? As we read in Colossians 1:24-29: (The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Colossae.)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.

CHRIST, in me and you, the hope of glory. Do not hide the truth. Christians are the light and the salt. Let JESUS shine through your life as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Christians are the vessels through whom GOD takes the Gospel of truth to others. Christians are vessels of clay as expressed in 2 Corinthians 2:4:

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

Let’s read again our scripture:

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful^[i] are the feet of those who bring good news.^[j] 16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?^[k] 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.^[l] 

Do you want pretty feet? Then bring the Good News to others.

Christians, especially Spirit-born Christians have the message of salvation but it must be shared. Sharing the Good News is a calling. GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit does the calling and equipping.

Christian, you are the light and the salt. Are you sharing the light of the Gospel with others as GOD gives you opportunity? If not, why not?

Confess it to GOD and ask HIM to reveal to you the why not and then ask HIM to clear the path for you to be all GOD has in HIS plan for you.

We who know the truth through faith in JESUS have been chosen by GOD. Ephesians 1:3-6 reveals to us - ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons (Daughters) through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

Have you ever wished and hoped that you would be chosen for something?

It does not get any better than being chosen by GOD. HIS desire is for us to be the instruments to reach out to others as led by the Holy Spirit. All Christians are called to reach out to others with the truth. Why? Because we are chosen. Think about being chosen by GOD! Awesome! Consider the many others who are chosen but do not know it. They need to hear the Good News and they need to see CHRIST in each of us who know the truth. They are chosen by GOD to receive salvation through faith in JESUS. 

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - All In (6) - Committed to HIS Worship - Psalm 99:1-9 - November 29, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (6) – Committed to HIS Worship – November 29, 2020

This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled “All In: A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 99:1-9.

GOD deserves our worship and praise.

Psalm 99 is in a group of Psalms known as “Enthronement Psalms.” The hallmark of these Psalms and this Psalm is in the translation of the Hebrew phrase “YHWH malak” or “the LORD is King” or “the LORD reigns.” The LORD reigns as a just, fair, loving, caring all powerful ruler in the lives of those who recognize HIS love, caring, power and majesty. Where or how did the writer of this psalm get his information?

Our banner statement “GOD deserves our worship and praise” comes from experiencing GOD personally or through the experiences of others. When those who have experienced salvation through faith in JESUS share their testimony, the lives of others are changed. The recipient of salvation has only heard the testimony of the person experiencing GOD through faith in JESUS in a real and mighty way. Their testimony resonates in the hearts of others and they believe and embrace JESUS by faith. JESUS indwells the person or persons opening up to the call of the Holy Spirit to accept JESUS as his or her Savior.

So, what was the source of the writer of Psalm 99? Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 99:1-3:

The King Is Holy

¹ The Lord reigns! Let the peoples tremble.
He is enthroned between the cherubim.
Let the earth quake.
² The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted above all the peoples.
³ Let them praise your great
and awe-inspiring name.
He is holy.

The writer laid the foundation of the greatness of YHWH (LORD) based upon experience and history. Verse 1 establishes a profound fact “the LORD reigns.” This is an irrefutable fact that has been confirmed by the writer. When others confirm this fact, they tremble. Why? Because they realize that their lifestyle has missed the mark of living as GOD desires for them. We call it sin. Placing our faith in JESUS is the solution. In the Old Testament, it was through the Jewish sacrificial system, which was a place holder until JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay for sin, in full. When JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay for sin, it included the original sin and all sin until the end of time upon earth. JESUS paid it all for those who place their faith in HIM. Those from Adam and Eve to the end of life upon earth. Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, why not? Do you see GOD as King? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Psalm 99:4-5:

⁴ The mighty King loves justice.
You have established fairness;
you have administered justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
⁵ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his footstool.
He is holy.

The writer gave the attributes and character of GOD based upon what he knew about GOD. Was this head knowledge or heart knowledge? List below are their attributes of GOD, as discovered by the writer:

-         Loves justice

-         Source of fairness

-         Administer of justice

-         Administer of righteousness (quoted the source of their statement – Jacob, who experienced the guidance of GOD in the salvation of the Israelites and an example of the working of GOD through the lives of HIS chosen. A testimony for the world to hear and see the power of GOD at work.)

-         Rejoice when you behold the majesty of GOD as HE leads HIS chosen through questionable times in their lives. HIS power is available to all of GOD’S Children – trust and obey during difficult times. The scripture reveals an archive of testimony to the manifestation of the power of GOD in and through the lives of people and people groups.

-         Worship and exalt GOD as we walk/live our lives upon earth. Bow down to GOD to show your love, adoration, trust and confidence you have in GOD because HE cares for you. How much did HE care for you? Enough to send HIS Only SON, JESUS, to earth to live as 100% human, subject to sin, yet sinless. JESUS had to be sinless in order to pay for the past, present and future sins of those who place their redemptive faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Psalm 99:6-9:

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests;
Samuel also was among those calling on his name.
They called to the Lord and he answered them.
⁷ He spoke to them in a pillar of cloud;
they kept his decrees and the statutes he gave them.
⁸ Lord our God, you answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their sinful actions.

⁹ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

The writer brings to our attention additional sources of those who knew GOD in an intimate way and served HIM:

-         Moses and Aaron established the earthly priesthood.

-         Samuel anointed Israel’s first human king.

-         They called to the LORD and HE answered them, which is recorded in written scripture.

-         Even more dramatic was when GOD led the Israelites out of Egypt and spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud, plus all the other miracles GOD produced as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land.

-         GOD chose the Israelites as HIS people and gave them instructions how they should live as HIS chosen people.

-         YOUR Chosen People accepted YOUR rules for living and even when they failed, YOU forgave them but YOU also punished them for their own good.

-         You all know the history of our relationship with YHWH, THE LORD.

-         So, what is the conclusion about GOD?

-         ⁹ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

The writer of Psalm 99 agrees that the words he has penned reflect the truth he had experienced walking with GOD, for the LORD our GOD is holy.

If you wrote a psalm about your walk with GOD, how would it read? What have you discovered, what has GOD revealed to you, what truth is in the “eyes of your heart”?

Why not write it based upon your experience and/or the experience of others as recorded in GOD’S Word or the testimony of others

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - All In (5) - Committed to Prayer - Colossians 1:3-12 - November 15, 2020

 Bible Study – All In (5) – Committed to Prayer – November 15, 2020

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “All In – A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Colossians 1:3-12.

Commit to prayer for the salvation and spiritual growth of others. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we read:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

GOD desires for HIS Children to be in constant communication with HIM. Communication is a two-way street. We, as GOD’S Children talk to GOD but just as important, we are to stop and listen. That is one way we get to know GOD in an intimate, loving way and build trust with HIM. Also, in 2 Chronicles 16:9a - 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. – Only GOD knows the needs of those throughout earth. Never question what GOD calls you to pray for but pray. When you hear a siren, do you pray. When watching the news and things are happening over earth, do you pray? When you read the newspaper are you led to pray? It doesn’t always have to tragedies but prayers of praise and thanksgiving. All Christians are called to pray. 

I have heard some Christians say, “If GOD spoke to me, I would run or it would frighten me to death.” Do you recall that the prophet Elijah demonstrated the power of GOD to the Israelites versus the pagan god Baal? We find this contest in 1 Kings 18:20-24:

20 So Ahab (King) sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” Be careful and don’t take this to mean you can test GOD but only if HE leads you to do so. 

We know that the One True GOD, YHWH, responded and the pagan priests were killed. This was a magnificent display of GOD’S power and sovereignty over all. Yet, when we read on, we read that Elijah prayed for rain and rain came. When King Ahab told his wife, Jezebel, what Elijah had done she sent him a message that she would have him killed the next day. Elijah ran to get out of her reach, as we read in 1 Kings 19:1-4:

19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a [a]broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

A successful prophet in the LORD’S sight fleeing? Why? Did he not have the faith that GOD would take care of him or did GOD need to teach Elijah more about their relationship? 

Let’s read 1 Kings 19:9-13:

9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

God’s Revelation to Elijah

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire [e]a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

We often think GOD will speak to us in some dramatic way, but I can tell you when HE speaks in “a still small voice” it is peaceful, pure and magnificent. But GOD speaks in many different ways. HE speaks in ways we will listen to HIM. Let’s explore!

When we pray, GOD listens and responds to the Spirit-born Christian with yes, no, wait but to the person seeking an eternal relationship with HIM as his or her son or daughter the response is always YES!!!. Dear JESUS, I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me for all of my sins believing that JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay in full for all of my sins. I acknowledge that JESUS is my Savior and I thank HIM for HIS eternal love and forgiveness. 

The Spirit-born person’s part is to trust HIM and follow and trust what HE reveals or tells us, as HIS Child. Just as a baby has to grow physically and mentally, so does the Spirit-born Christian. Ask GOD to lead you to the church or Bible study group where you can grow Spiritually. If you asked JESUS to come into your heart then welcome to GOD’S Family with prayers that you will grow Spiritually as a Spirit-born Christian.

Our scripture was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome to the Christians in Colossae.

Let’s read Colossians 1:3-6a:

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love (agape) you have for all the saints 5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. 

When the Apostle Paul and fellow Christians heard of the faith they had in CHRIST JESUS and their love for all the saints, they recognized that was a witness that their source was founded in GOD, the Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. All Spirit-born Christians have the hope that resides in the fact that JESUS gave HIS sinless life upon the cross, died, was buried, was resurrected on the third day, walked upon earth 40 days before ascending into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD and sending the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell every person who places his or her faith in JESUS. Their hope is centered and secure in the passion of JESUS and their faith in JESUS for eternal life.

We, as Christians, need to pray for all the saints around the world. But we don’t know them but GOD does so pray for them as they struggle with the issues of life. Who are “the saints”? They are the Holy Ones, those who have been made Holy through their redemption through the shed blood of JESUS and their faith they have placed in JESUS as their Savior, which is every Spirit-born Christian. Every Spirit-born Christian is sanctified or set aside for the purposes of GOD to be used as HE leads. 

The word of truth comes through the gospel which is CHRIST in you, the hope of Glory. 

It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.[b] 7 You learned this from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[c] behalf, 8 and he has told us about your love in the Spirit. 

The Gospel of truth is spreading all over the world and it is bearing Spiritual fruit. You learned of GOD’S Grace, which you learned about from Epaphras. It is interesting the Epaphras means “lovely.”

Epaphras is the person who communicated with Paul and Paul’s evangelistic team “about your love in the Spirit.” The result of this communication it triggered specific prayers focused your Spiritual growth as you are being led by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the great commission. 

Let’s read Colossians 1:9-12:

Prayer for Spiritual Growth

9 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,[d] 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 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you[e] to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 

When we hear where GOD is working that is our que, as Spirit-born Christians to join the effort with prayers, physical presence, financial support and other assistance as the Holy Spirit prompts you. Paul knew that where the gospel was being successful, Satan would also be at work to prevent it. We must pray for our ministers and those who are serving our LORD, as well as each other. 

We recently had the opportunity to support a mission effort in Africa to have a well dug. GOD provided the funds and the work began. One of the workers accepted JESUS as his Savior. Providing funds to dig the well was incidental to GOD’S main focus, the salvation of a worker. 

It is exciting when GOD works through us to reach others with the Good News. 

Review these bullet points the Apostle Paul outlined for the benefit of the Christians in Colossae:

- We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,[d] 

- 10 so that you may walk/live worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, 

- 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 

- 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you[e] to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 

We who know the truth are the light and we must not hide the light from those who are in darkness. Share the light you have with others as GOD gives opportunity. We can all pray as our LORD prompts us. Remember HIS eyes go to and fro throughout the earth. Listen to the Holy Spirit as HE calls you into ministry. Read and study GOD’S Word and put into action what GOD reveals to you. No Christian is a finished product until we meet JESUS face to face as we enter Heaven. YES!!!

Blessings!!!