Announcement Part 1— I'm moving!

Announcement Part 1— I'm moving! 

Yes, I'm moving. I'm staying in Winter Haven, just moving to another section of town. In fact, I'll be closer to my church, so that will be very nice. 

When I moved down here, I knew in time, that my parents and I would be moving in together, so that I could help take care of them as needed. We decided to make that move while they are still able to do things for themselves, so that when they need help, I'm nearby. 

The original plan was to rent a 2 bedroom apartment in my current Apartment Complex. But God had something different in mind. 

Stay tuned for the place God picked for me and my parents to live. 

Click here for Announcement Part 2—I'm moving!

Sounds Good, But Is It Truth?

"I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech." Colossians 2:4 (AMP)

"Attractive arguments and beguiling speech." Or arguments that merely sound good. 

Often we hear people present very persuasive argument for what they think is right. The real test is to compare what is said to what God says. Remember He is the Truth. He is the authority. He is God. 

We like to hear speeches that make us feel good. However, if what is said in those speeches is not Truth, than it's as dangerous as poison. For that poison destroys the very foundation on which everything is based—God's Truth.

And often the things we hear, even use Scripture to "prove" the points. That is why Paul prays so earnestly that the believers become "intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God" (Col 2:3). For only in thoroughly knowing God's Word will we be able to discern Truth from lies. 

We must not let Satan make lies that sound good, become foundations on which we build our lives. We must make sure that our foundation on which we base our decisions, our action, our words, be based on the Fear of God Almighty and His Truth. 

If I want to have a solid foundation of TRUTH, it begins with being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG). 

And if I want to continuing living my life in accordance with God's Truth, I must continually be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Purpose of Praying

[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. 3 (AMP)

The past two posts were about "What Do I pray?" focusing on Colossians 2:2. 

(What Do I Pray? and What Do I Pray? Part 2) The end of Colossians 2 and verse 3 focus on the purpose of praying.

"that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted" 

A deep knowledge and relationship.

But not just random knowledge, rather a intimately acquainted knowledge and relationship with God, His plan and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Paul is praying specifically that the Colossians would know Truth not just to have head knowledge, but rather to purposefully become intimately aquatinted with God and His amazing grace and mercy. What a great prayer to first personally pray, and then pray for others. 

If I truly want to become intimately aquatinted with God, it begins when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

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.