Purposeful Prayer

What do you pray for? Why do you pray for it? Do you pray to know God’s will? Do you pray for wisdom? Are you praying so that you might walk closer with God? Are you praying so you might please God in all you do? Do you pray that you will be fruitful for God through good works?

We pray for a variety of things for many reasons. We often pray for our families, friends, co-workers, schoolmates, and other church members. We pray for healing more often than anything else. But we also pray for new jobs, increased wages, relationships, and more.

Most often we pray for God to grant something we want, something to fulfill a physical need. But how often do we ask God to reveal what he wants from us? Notice in today’s passage that the Apostle Paul is asking that God give the members of the church in Colossae knowledge and wisdom so they may be fruitful to fulfill God’s mission.

We can pray for the same thing. In fact, we should pray that God enlighten us with his knowledge and wisdom. Our purpose for praying for that is so we may be fruitful for him. The more we are in tune with God’s will, the more effective our works will be. The more effective they are, the more fruitful we are. The more fruitful we are, the more people are reached for Jesus.

I pray we all add to our prayers that God grant us knowledge and wisdom. I pray we seek to fulfill God’s will. I pray each one of us are more fruitful, reaching people for Jesus. Ask for knowledge. Ask for wisdom. Ask that God uses you. Be fruitful. Reach people for Jesus.

Colossians 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.

Bear Fruit In Hope

Has the hope of the truth changed you? Has the gospel message grown in you? Are you bearing fruit because of the hope you have in Jesus? Are you growing in your faith as you gain a better understanding of the gospel message? Do you grasp the significance of God’s grace?

We may want to know the truth. Yet, we often joke that we aren’t sure we want to know it. We may even quote the line from the movie A Few Good Men, “You can’t handle the truth!” The truth can be enlightening, scary, hard to hear, and inspiring all at the same time.

The truth of the gospel should give us hope. After all, the simple message is that Jesus died for us, rose on the third day, we are forgiven of our sins, and promised that we will spend eternity with God. This simple message tells us of God’s grace. It tells us that he loves us enough to send his Son to pay the debt we cannot pay. It shows us God’s grace in a tangible way.

The hope we gain from the truth is to bear fruit through us. How? Our hope should bring us so much joy that we cannot help but tell others. If we are not bearing fruit, perhaps we do not fully comprehend God’s grace or have had our hope for so long that the excitement has worn off. We might need to return to the message of God’s grace in the gospel message and renew our excitement and amazement. Maybe we need to reevaluate where we would be without the truth of the gospel and the hope we have.

I pray we all renew our hope in the truth of the gospel message. I pray we truly comprehend the grace of God. I pray each one of us bear fruit because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Renew your hope. Regain your excitement. Understand God’s grace. Bear fruit in hope.

Colossians 1:5b-6 You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.

Hope In Heaven

What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions love? Do you immediately think of emotional love that brings two people together in relationship? Do you think of a committed love that keeps a couple together for a lifetime? Do you think of work?

We often hear of emotional love. A young couple are attracted to one another. They have emotional feelings for one another. They decide to marry. They have children, love their children, and spend their lives together. But this isn’t the same kind of love spoken of in the Bible.

When the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossae, he speaks of their love for every follower of Jesus. It isn’t an emotional love. It is a decision to love and care for fellow believers. It is a committed love.

Why did they have this love? Their hope. They had a hope that they had obtained a better life because of Jesus Christ. They trusted in the promise of eternal life spent with Him. They were living a better life in the present because they came together as a community. They had less worry and anxiety because they believed in the promises of God.

We, too, can experience a better life today when we believe in God’s promises and love one another. When we lay all our fears, worries, and anxiety at Jesus’ feet, our lives become less stressful, our attitudes improve, and our lives are better. It is the hope, or trust, in Jesus that we have that relieves us of the worries of this world.

I pray we all decide to love one another. I pray we choose to trust in God’s promises. I pray each one of us put our hope in Jesus, laying all our fears, worries, and anxiety at His feet. Love one another. Trust God’s promises. Hope in Jesus. Give Jesus your fears, worries, and anxieties.

Colossians 1:3-5a In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

Plumb Line

How do you determine if a wall is straight? How do you ensure a wall is straight as you build it? Have you heard of a plumb line? Have you used a plumb line? Do you know that a plumb line is a taught string between two points? Why would God reference a plumb line?

Using a plumb line and being very precise when laying the foundation and putting in wall studs, you can build a straight wall. Straight walls can be very important when building a house, but even more important when building a storehouse in which you will be putting shelving units.

But what is meant when God uses a plumb line? He is talking about determining if people are following his commands. He has given his commands to us for our own good. We must remember that God does not need his commands. He is perfect. He does not need instruction.

Because God loves us, he gives us commands to live by. He gives us instruction, guidance, and principles to live by. When being obedient to him, we please him and live the best life we can. Now, we know that being human includes being fallible. We will make mistakes. We will not obey God every moment of every day. Yet, God is willing to forgive us.

However, God does not have infinite patience. Or, God chooses not to have infinite patience. At some point, God’s patience comes to an end—and end of his choosing. At that point, he passes judgment on his people. We might say God’s plumb line is the line in the sand. When we have crossed it, we can count on God taking action.

I pray we all know that God chooses when his patience has run out. I pray we choose to obey God’s commands. I pray each one of us follow God’s guidance so that we will live our best life. God’s patience has an end. Choose to obey. Follow God’s guidance. Live your best life.

Amos 7:7-8 This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.”

Boast In Hope

How do you view hope? What is your perspective of hope? Do you view hope as nothing more than a wish? Do you treat it as wishful thinking? Is your hope more than that? Is it a trust in a promise that you believe will come true?

Many people use hope to mean wish. They hope for a new car. They hope for a better job. They hope for ice cream at the carnival. They hope their favorite team will win. All of these are more like wishing than hoping as the writers of the New Testament define hope.

If our hope in God’s promises is nothing more than wishing for something we are unsure will happen, we are in a sad state. If that is the case, we need to reevaluate our faith. For the faith that Jesus and the apostles spoke of is nothing like wishful thinking. It is a hope that trusts God to fulfill his promises.

How do we gain that hope? First and foremost, we need to read the Bible with a new set of eyes. We need to leave behind our perceptions. We need to ask God to open our minds and teach us the true meaning of his Word.

Next, we need to experience God’s promises. We need to step out in faith and trust God to provide. As we do and we experience him providing, our faith will increase, and our hope will be stronger. We will begin to step out in faith more often and bolder. When we do, God will smile with joy at our trust in him.

I pray we all give up our wishful thinking regarding God’s promises. I pray we trust that he will fulfill his promises. I pray each one of us will step out in faith to experience God. Give up wishful thinking. Trust in God’s promises. Step out in faith. Experience God. Boast in your hope in God.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

Sound the Alarm

Are you involved in your community? Do you know your neighbors? Is your town or city a place where believers in Jesus are welcomed? Why is it important? Do you think it is important? What happens to the town that doesn’t welcome God into it?

Jesus sent seventy-two people out in pairs to the many towns He intended to visit. He told them to stay and eat in the same house. In other words, don’t be jumping from one place to another looking for the best host. Be content with where you initially chose to stay.

He also tells them to be perceptive and discerning. If they go into a town who will not welcome them and thereby not welcome Jesus, there were to curse the town. Now, you may think that is not what Jesus said. But the euphemism He uses means exactly that.

But they were also to give them a warning that the kingdom of God has come near. This was the same as saying the Messiah has arrived. It was saying to them that they better get their act together and make a much better decision than they had just made. It was the promise that judgment was coming.

The same message is true for us today. It is important for our towns and cities to accept Jesus. It is important for us to remind them that judgment is coming. We do not know when, but we can rest assured it is coming. Just as the messengers Jesus sent out warned the people they encountered; we need to warn the people we encounter. It is important for the message of Jesus to be spread throughout our communities.

I pray we all heed the warning of Jesus. I pray we realize it is important that our communities accept Jesus. I pray each one of us will spread the news of Jesus and the approaching judgment. Heed Jesus’ warning. Know it is important for our towns and cities to accept Jesus. Spread the gospel. Give the warning alarm.

Luke 10:10-12 “But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.”

Messengers Needed

Have you ever been sent to deliver a message to someone? Have you had to deliver a message to a crowd of strangers that may or may not be received well? If you have, how comfortable were you doing so? If not, how do you think you would feel about doing so?

Being the messenger can be difficult. So difficult that we even preface our statement with, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” It can be even more difficult if we are presenting a message to a crowd of people we don’t know while not knowing if they will receive it well.

Jesus sent out seventy-two of His followers in pairs to tell people in towns He was going to visit about Him. Now, it would be easy to tell them there was a miracle worker coming who could heal all their sick. But telling them that He was going to preach to them about a new way of living that did not include the old Jewish laws would be a different story.

Yet, they went on their way. They carried the message Jesus told them to carry. So, why did Jesus send them out? He said, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Jesus used those He had to start sending the message out. He didn’t ask. He said, “Go” and they went. He also told them to pray that God would send more laborers. I’m sure they prayed quite a lot about along their way.

We need to pray that God will send more laborers into the field today. Why? First, our world needs to hear the gospel message, accept it, and choose to follow Jesus. Second, we do not have near enough pastors, preachers, or priests. There are churches who have no pastor. There are communities with no church. We need more laborers who are willing to go into the harvest and speak the gospel message.

I pray we all ask God to send more laborers into the harvest. I pray we prayerfully consider whether we might answer that call. I pray each one of us will tell someone else about Jesus. Ask God to send laborers. Consider being a laborer yourself. Tell others about Jesus.

Luke 10:1-2 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Do the Right Thing

Do you believe in doing the right thing? How do you know what the right thing is? What is your guideline? How do you determine what the right thing to do is in all aspects of your life? What is your decision process for determining to give financially? Does it lead you to do the right thing?

Most of us want to do the right thing, at least in certain parts of our lives. We may want to do the right thing in all of aspects, but some are a higher priority than others. Often, our top priority for our finances is to take care of our family, and rightfully so.

Yet, our culture has conditioned us to provide for a lot of wants for our family, rather than just providing for needs. We may plan for large purchases but make spurious spending choices on other things. These choices can impact our ability to do the right thing. What is the right thing? Blessing others with the resources God has blessed us with.

In Galatians 6:7, the Apostle Paul states that we reap what we sow. When we look at the meaning of the original Greek, he is speaking of financial investment. As we read verses 7-10, he emphasizes we are to support those who are struggling financially to the best of our ability. This doesn’t mean to give our money to those who refuse to work, for Paul says not to support them in 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Doing the right thing is helping those who are working and still struggling. We are to provide financial assistance by sharing the blessings God has blesses us with. Many of us live rather comfortably, not having to worry about paying our bills nor whether we will have something to eat. When Paul says we reap what we sow, he also points to God providing for us as we share his blessings with others.

I pray we all know we are to share God’s blessings with others. I pray we are good stewards with God’s blessings. I pray each one of us will choose to do the right thing and support those in need. Share your blessings with others. Be a good steward. Support those in need. Do the right thing.

Galatians 6:9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.

Sharing Burdens

What is your immediate reaction when you see or hear of someone caught in some type of infraction? Do you immediately want to condemn them? Does your heart break for those who were the targets of the offense? Do you feel a desire to reconcile the offender?

When we see or hear of someone committing an offense against another, our typical reaction is one of shock followed quickly by anger. Our culture demands immediate justice and retribution. Our efforts are focused on helping the victim of the offense.

Unfortunately, that leaves the offender untended to, other than being prosecuted. Rare is it that reconciliation is sought and offered. Rare do we think about the separation and loneliness of the offender. Rare is it the offender is approached in a compassionate, humble way to offer both correction and a loving embrace.

This is not only true in our national culture but in our churches as well. We fail to demonstrate the love of Christ by correcting the individual in a humble manner and offering His love to them. This is not to say we should ignore the victim. Not in the least. However, we are instructed to ensure we bring the offender back into the fold. Yes, there may be a price for them to pay. But that does not negate our responsibility to reach out to them.

Not only are we to reach out to them but the Apostle Paul tells us to share in their burdens. We are to share them by seeking to understand why and help them to correct their behavior. We are to do this with humility because we could be the next person who needs loving correction and to share our burden with others. Satan tempts us all. Any one of us could fall prey to his temptations. We should not condemn lest we be condemned.

I pray we all choose to approach a transgressor with humility and love. I pray we choose to help share their burden. I pray each one of us realize we can, too, can fall prey to Satan’s temptations. Be humble. Correct the transgressor with love. Share one another’s burdens.

Galatians 6:1-2 My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Nothing Lasts Forever

Have you heard the saying, ‘Nothing lasts forever’? Have you said it yourself? Do you believe it? We may say it and believe it. Yet, we do not always want it to be true. There are moments we wish would last forever. However, the saying is true as long as we live on this earth.

On the other hand, there are times we are glad the saying is true. There are times we want to end as soon as possible. These are usually times when something has gone wrong or something bad is happening. During those times, we are glad this saying is true.

David writes about it in his thirtieth Psalm. He speaks to praising God by singing praises. He speaks of giving thanks to God. Though we may experience some bad times, the good times will come, for God will not leave us in that situation. Even if God is angry at us for our disobedience, he still loves us and will bless us when we repent.

What is the underlying theme of David’s Psalm? Faith. Our faith tells us that God is in control. It tells us that God is at work in all situations, even those that are bad. He is working for our good. No, God doesn’t purposely put us in bad situations. Some of them are caused by our choices. Some are accidents. Some caused by other’s choices. Some we will never know why. But we can be assured God is working in the midst of them. We can remember and recite what David has written and trust his words are true.

I pray we all know that nothing lasts forever. I pray we trust that God is at work for our good. I pray each one of us strengthen our faith so that we believe God is always with us. Praise God in song. Thank God for his many blessings. Know that nothing lasts forever. Put your faith in God.

Psalm 30:4-5

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, 

and give thanks to his holy name. 

For his anger is but for a moment; 

his favor is for a lifetime. 

Weeping may linger for the night, 

but joy comes with the morning.