Praying Specifically

For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—

That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. Colossians 1:9-10 (AMP)

For this reason (verse 7; they showed Spirit-Love).. we have not ceased to pray and make special request for you. 

Prayer. It is vital to pray one for another. And one thing I like about verses 9 and 10 is that Paul lists specifics of what they were praying. 

Knowlege, wisdom, comprehensive insight to the ways and purposes of God, understanding and discernment of spiritual things, 

AND the WHYS of what he was praying (vs 10): 

they they would conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Lord, a life pleasing to God, and DESIRING to continue to please God in ALL things, being "fruit producers" and growing in the knowledge of God. 

I need to be praying for others, specifically. And from my experience, not just that they'd get well, or heal, or have an easier time of things. Rather, that God would use the situation they are in, to help them grow spiritually, and gain a deeper insight into who God is and allow that knowledge to impact their lives for God's glory! 

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG)... starts with talking with Him... first about myself, and then about others.

Spirit-Love

"He also told us about the love you have ·from [or in] the Holy Spirit." Colossians 1:8 (EXB)

First off, I need to make sure that my love from the Holy Spirit is shining, so that it is noticeable to others. 

And lastly, I when I see others displaying and living a life filled with Spirit-Love, I need to talk about that! 

No, the goal isn't to be "noticed", but I am to be living a life that points those around me to God. People will notice things about each of us, wether we want them to or not. The goal then is that what they see MOST is the Love of God. 

How does the love of God impact my life? Does it change my attitude? Does it change my actions? Does it change my interaction with those around me? Does it effect my decisions? 

If I want others to talk about the Spirit-Love I have, it begins with being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).

What would be written about me?

"You so learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ in our stead and as our representative and yours." Colossians 1:7 (AMP)

Faithful minister of Christ. The Message, says "reliable worker for Christ!" God's Word translation reads, " trustworthy deacon for Christ". 

Faithful. Reliable. Trustworthy. And not just in everyday activities, but especially in regards to serving our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I've been listening to some of my older music, and a song by 4Him is "A ManYou Would Write About". The chorus reads:

I want to be a man that you would write about
Oh a thousand years from now
That they could read about
Your servant of choice in whom You found favor
A man who heard Your voice
Generations away it is my prayer
That they will look back and say
Oh to have that kind of faith and love
What a solid man of God he was. 

Faithful. Reliable. Trustworthy. Servant of God. That's what I'd like to be written about me. And in order for that to happen, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).

Grace of God

Something to meditate on today: 'to know the grace or undeserved favor of God in reality, deeply and clearly and thoroughly, becoming accurately and intimately acquainted with it.'

"Which has come to you. Indeed, in the whole world [that Gospel] is bearing fruit and still is growing [a][by its own inherent power], even as it has done among yourselves ever since the day you first heard and came to know and understand the grace of God in truth. [You came to know the grace or undeserved favor of God in reality, deeply and clearly and thoroughly, becoming accurately and intimately acquainted with it.]" Colossians 1:6 (AMP)

How would my life be impacted if I truly came to know the Grace of God... in REALITY... Deeply, clearly and throughly becoming accurately and INTIMATELY acquainted with it! 

That is my prayer today.... I want to know the Grace of God... accurately and be intimately acquainted with it! Wow!

Confidence

As I studied Colossians 1 this morning, these verses stood out. 

"We continually give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), as we are praying for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and of the love which you [have and show] for all the saints (God’s consecrated ones).” Colossians 1:3, 4 (AMP)

I especially like that phrase: 'the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.' 

Absolute trust and confidence in HIS power, wisdom and goodness! WOW! No better ROCK SOLID place to put my trust. And that covers all aspects of what I’d need: POWER…. strength to accomplish His will, WISDOM…. knowledge to make decisions as I carry out His will, and GOODNESS…. those blessings that God showers on me… HIS BEST… as I live in accordance with HIS will!