Colossians 1:9 "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
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"Filled", "Walk", "Bear fruit", "Increase in knowledge of God", "Strengthened with all power", "Endure with joy", "Give thanks to the Father"
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There is so much encouragement in this short passage from Paul's letter to the Colossians. It almost reads like a spiritual process or flow chart. Paul is praying specifically for a certain order of experience and blessing. He prays first that they would be filled with healthy knowledge...the knowledge of God's will for wisdom and understanding. We need God's directions before we know where and how to proceed. And this leads to prayers for the walk that works out that understanding and that results in good fruit...actions that only bless others but cause an increase in knowing God through doing His will. He prays that God's actual strength...His power...would be their energy in times of testing and trial and prove overwhelmingly victorious as evidenced by joy. And the end result of all this is a church filled with individuals who share thankful hearts as they have come to know the very real hand of God in mind, body and experience.
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Surely these are times when we ought to pray similarly for each other!
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blessings,
Rob Smith
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"Death is inevitable. Life is a choice!"
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."
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