What Do I Pray? Part 2

[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). Colossians 2:2 (AMP)

"that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding" (AMP)

"rich in their ·understanding [ assurance of understanding]" (EXB)

There is a progression in this prayer that Paul has for the Colossians. First, that they be comforted and encouraged as they are knit together in the God's love. Once that foundation is laid, then each person can then come to a clear insightful understanding accompanied with blessings of understanding of the Gospel. 

Clear insight. Abounding wealth and blessings—not based on things but rather based on a solid foundation of understanding the saving grace of God. 

• Only with a solid foundation, is it possible to withstand the storms of everyday life.

• Only with a solid foundation, is it possible to have discernment of Truth.

• Only with a solid foundation is it possible to enjoy fellowship and friendship with God. 

What a great prayer to pray for others, that they will may have abounding wealth and blessing of assurance of the saving grace of God! Wow! 

And understanding of conviction starts with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

What Do I Pray?

[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). Colossians 2:2 (AMP)

Prayer. 

How often do we say, "I'll pray for you."? First, do we really pray? And secondly, what do we pray? 

Often the focus of our prayers is for the person to "get well" or their situation to "get better". But how often do we for the spiritual soul of the person? 

On my May 3rd I posted about Colossians 1:11 (Overwhelmed with Joy). Paul didn't pray that the situation would get better, but rather that through the situation the believers would know God's strength and joy. 

God supplied-strength results in not just enduring and muddling through a situation, but rather enduring it being overwhelmed with joy!

Colossians 2:2 shares another focus for prayer, rather than just "get well". The focus here is that first and foremost that their hearts would be encouraged. HOW? As they are knit together in LOVE. That is not the "feely, gushy" love. Rather this "love" is directly from God. It's unconditional love based on God's grace and mercy. 

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. John 13:34 (AMP)

How often do I pray that "your heart is encouraged as you are knit together in love"? For really being knit together in God's love creates a unbreakable bond and provides the security that allows each to be encouraged and comforted. 

First, I must myself be accepting of God's love, so that I can love others. And loving God begins when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

And lastly, as I pray for others, I want to move beyond the physical and address the spiritual, so that the individual can know God's strength and joy in the midst of the situation. 

True Bond

For I want you to know how great is my solicitude for you [how severe an inward struggle I am engaged in for you] and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen my face and known me personally. Colossians 2:1 (AMP)

The Question: Why would someone have great concern for others, when he had never met them? 

The answer: "Those believers."  

The bond of true Christians is not based on if we go to the same church, or if we live in the some community, or even the same state. The true bond of Christians is Jesus Christ. And that bond makes miles disappear and unites people all over the world. 

The internet has made our world much smaller, in that we can have instant access to other Continents. It wasn't that long ago, where we'd have to wait months to receive a letter from around the world. Now, we wait seconds. 

With the instant access of the World at out grasp, the question then is: Am I using it to draw closer to other believers? Am I using it to encourage them? 

Paul had great concern for other believers, even those he never met. If I am to have that same concern, it begins in my heart. And for my heart to beat with the love and concern for others, it must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Superhuman Energy

For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me. Colossians 1:29 (AMP)

Superhuman energy. (AMP) 

His amazing power and energy surge within me. (VOICE)

Christ’s mighty energy. (TLB)

Christ’s great strength that works so powerfully in me. (EXB)

Often I'm amazed at what I can do, when it's a God-designed assignment. In Nov-Dec 2014, my Mom was in the hospital for 6 weeks. Each day, I drove to the hospital and spent many hours there. Yet, even though my pain level increased greatly, God continued to give me strength, especially on the days I need to stay longer to meet with the Doctors. Looking back, I know that the only way that I endured those weeks, was because of God's power and strength. 

It was a good example, that when God has a specific assignment He will supply ALL the is needed to accomplish the task—especially, when it involves sharing His Gospel and teaching His Word. 

Noticing that it is a strength and energy from God is important, because reliance upon God is vital to allowing Him to work in and through me. Sadly, many times, I want to do it "myself" and time and time again, I only make a mess of things. When I step back and allow God do supply the energy and the necessary instructions, then He is glorified and I am equipped to complete His task. 

A specific assignment completed with God's superhuman energy begins when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Maturity

Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). Colossians 1:28 (AMP)

God is doing an amazing thing in my life right now, and with it comes new responsibility. Responsibilities I haven't had in my life before. Exciting, yes. But it's also a growing time. I have to learn new things, so that I know what I am responsible for, and can take care of those responsibilities. 

Do you realize that knowing the Word of God brings responsibilities too? The more you study God's Word the more you are held accountable for obeying. Also studying God's Word should be changing you as you learn about God and His wisdom and instruction. 

Maturity. Yes, there is more responsibilities with growing and learning. But there is also more blessings and joys. 

If I want to become mature in Christ, it begins with being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), and then allowing that reverence to impact my life.

My Hope

To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory. Colossians 1:27 (AMP)

Christ is my hope. Not just for after I die, but rather my every day hope. A hope that should be very clearly manifested in my life. 

Manifested: readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident; obvious; apparent; plain. 

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (AMP)

[For] If you ·use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want [ live according to the flesh], you will ·die spiritually [ die]. But if you ·use the Spirit’s help to [ by the Spirit] ·stop doing the wrong things you do with [put to death the deeds of] your body, you will ·have true life [ live]. Romans 8:13 (EXB)

Christ within me not only do I have Hope, but the power to live a godly life. But living a godly life manifesting the hope of Christ, is only possible if I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Sudden and Dramatic Change

The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), Colossians 1:26 (AMP)

What was the mystery that was hidden? The redemptive work of Jesus Christ that was made available to all. 

The greek verbs used in this verse, means that there was a sudden change. The Gospel was hidden, but it suddenly was made known—to us. 

The presence of Jesus Christ created a sudden and dramatic change—His death, burial, and resurrection, provided a way for us to change our destination from Hell to Heaven. 

Since the presence of Jesus Christ created a dramatic change in my future destination (because I've placed my faith in Him), that same presence should have a dramatic change on my life—daily!

Living in the presence of Jesus Christ as I live daily is done only if I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).