Category: Obedience

God’s Will

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Many people worry about what the will of God is. We tend to think in terms of what job to take, whom to marry, what to do for vacation, etc. God gives us several specifics about His will, but not the way we tend to think. Today’s verses tell us the will of God. We are to “rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks”. These are not always easy to do. In fact, when life is tough they can be difficult. However, if it is the will of God, He will give us the strength to do these things.

Rejoicing can boost low spirits. Praying reminds us how much we need God. Giving thanks shows our appreciation for what God has and will do. All of these things will draw us closer to Christ as we follow God’s will.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what Your will is. Please give us the strength to rejoice, pray and give thanks no matter what our circumstances are. We know You are worthy of all these.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Everything

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

We live in a world that seems to think “It’s all about me.” Sadly, even believers fall into this trap. We need to spend time with God daily asking Him to show us what we are selfishly holding back. If we do something good for our own benefit instead of the glory of God, I think we contradict this verse. Every part of our lives should be for our Heavenly Father.

This is easy to say, but hard to do. That is why we need to daily go to God to ask for help glorifying Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to do everything for Your honor and glory. We know you are deserving of glory. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to glorify you.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Praying to Grow

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ have the opportunity to grow and mature. I appreciate Paul’s statement in verse 9 that he and Timothy are consistently praying for the believers in Colossae. Pray should be step number one in our spiritual maturity. We should pray to be “filled with the knowledge of His will” for ourselves and others. Then, we need to seek knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding.

The purpose? To “walk worthy of the Lord.” He is worthy to be pleased and we get to grow by “bearing fruit in every good work”. There is no greater purpose.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving the gift of prayer. Please help us to look to the knowledge and wisdom You have given. Please guide us to the greatest purpose of bearing fruit to please You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Thankfulness and Love

pleadinginprayer2 Comments

The apostle Paul often opens his letters with thankfulness for the believers to whom he is writing. I like how Paul qualifies that thankfulness in this book. This is because of the love the Colossians had “for all the saints”. John 13:35 tells us that people will know we belong to Jesus by our “love for one another.” This tells us that love for other believers is very important.

Love doesn’t always come easily. We face many challenges. However, God is faithful to increase our love for Him and others through the challenges. He gives us His Spirit and His Word. And He gives us other believers with whom we can wrestle through the difficulties.

Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom we need to show all men that we are Yours. Guide us to love as You do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Death of Self

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

We don’t like to think about death. There is pain involved. This verse talks about being crucified with Christ. This isn’t literal, physical death. This is the death of our selfish sinfulness. While we feel pain with the death of self, we can know greater joy when allow Christ to take over. Remember as you face the pain of dying to self, there is greater joy to come.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to remember that salvation means we are “crucified with Christ”. Please help us to set our own desires aside for the desires of Christ. Thank you for the gift of Jesus.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Imitate and Worship

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

This verse reminds us of some very important truths. People often imitate those they love, respect and/or worship. Believers are to imitate God. We have many examples to follow in the Bible. Jesus is the best example, the perfect example. Walking in love is a “sacrificial and fragrant offering to God”. There is no greater goal in life.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to imitate Your perfect example. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to “love us and give Himself for us.” We acknowledge this incomprehensible gift.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Complete

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

This life is incomplete. We face challenges and often don’t feel like we get to where we want to go (wherever that is). Sometimes in our pursuit for identity, we put God in second place (or later). Family, friends, job, and other pursuits are good. We gain much enjoyment from them. However, those things are not done well if God is not in first place. I believe we will receive more blessing from those things as we submit to God’s plan to bring us to completion.

Dear Heavenly Father, we ache with the desire to be complete. Please help us to be patient as we wait for Your timing in bringing the good work to completion. Please help us to submit to Your plan and put You first.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Heavenly Minded

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Every now and then, I hear the saying, “Don’t be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” I think we need to define what that means. True heavenly mindedness is commanded in the Bible. Colossians 3 begins by telling us to “seek the things that are above”. 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23 tell us everything needs to be for the honor and glory of God.

I think we know people who seem out of touch with the here and now. That may be true, but it doesn’t change the commands of the Bible. God has told us that He is to be the center of our lives. Everything I do should honor and glorify my Heavenly Father.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instruction You provide in Your Word. Please help us to obey what You have commanded by living our lives only for You. Give us the strength we need.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Who Am I?

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

When I was in high school, society pushed teens to ask, “Who am I?”.  It was a big thing for us to “find ourselves”.  I fear we are seeing the effects of too many years of wanting our own identity.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us that those who trust in Jesus Christ are His workmanship.  Our purpose is good works.  Good works “which God prepared beforehand”.  Reading and studying the Bible as well as praying will help us understand those good works.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making us Your workmanship.  Please help us to seek what You desire for good works. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.